Things were so different, now you're gone, I thought it'd be easy, I was wrong

More songwriter notes and random artist tidbits (I really am going to do more in depth posts, less "news bullet"-y, soon):

Johan "Kermit" Bobäck is working with Darin on new music (he previously collaborated with him on "Seasons Fly").

Apparently British boy band a1 are reuniting for some concerts in Norway in early December and will be performing both old and (gasp!) new songs. I am not ashamed to admit I got more than a bit excited listening to the group rehearse modern classic "Caught In The Middle." Speaking of new songs, Ben Adams, who appeared on this blog many a time in its early days, has a new-ish song on his MySpace (listen to it in higher quality on Facebook), "The Dust Won't Settle," which is really pretty pleasant (albeit sad) pop-rock--more like third album a1 than most of what we've heard of his solo album, but it shows he's just as great with a melody and with his voice. Love it. Ben has also (as I think I've mentioned before) written for Alexandra Burke's upcoming album.

Blake Lewis apparently worked with Darkchild for his upcoming album Heartbreak on Vinyl (out October 6). Listen to some beats but no vocals in this video.

If you're a sucker for über-bubblegummy Swedish pop that sounds like it could have come straight out of the '90s--I mean the really sugary sweet, cheesy kind--you might want to listen to Three's "Lucky Number." Who are Three? Three blonde sixteen year old triplets. You can probably already imagine what the music sounds like. Of course, me being me, bubblegum pop is always welcome, especially if it's got a Swedish connection.

Georgie Dennis, sister of Cathy and songwriter in her own right, has a song called "Dirty Drum" on her MySpace that sounds like it's sung by Elin Lanto. There are better, non-Elin songs there, though.

Carl Falk uploaded some new songs to his MySpace a few months ago. I presume they're demos, though I've got no actual proof of that. My favorite is "Shameless," co-written by him, Lindy Robbins, Kristian Lundin, and Rami Yacoub; it's very pop.

Speaking of demos uploaded on MySpace months ago, Tony Nilsson put the demo of Elin Lanto's "Discotheque" on his MySpace. I'm a total demo addict, as I've convinced before, so for me, hearing the substantial differences--though in this case, it's not a matter of voice, since even the demo contains Elin's voice--is really fascinating. The final version is definitely better, but there are some lost elements which, though they probably had to be lost for the sake of the song, I love.

Don't want to turn up any demons between us

I avoided writing about Elin Lanto's "Spider's Web" when Alex first told me about her performance of it because, well, I felt like it was her falling off the popstar path she was on, a classic case of ditching one's style completely when it isn't selling in favor of one that might seem more credible.



In retrospect, I might have been slightly harsh. If "Spider's Web," created by Klas Wahl and George Nakas (Stonebridge feat. Therese's "Put 'Em High," Therese's "Time," Dannii Minogue's "Good Times," Victoria Beckham's "Let Your Head Go"), was the take-off point for the rest of the album, I'd be disappointed, but its electro-meets-acoustic ballad sound is one I could see myself loving as a deviation from the primary style that still bears enough of that style's traits to fit on Elin's album.

After that one performance of "Spider's Web" a few months ago, we heard nothing from Elin--understandable, perhaps, given that none of her singles have done as well as they deserved to do, but still saddening. There's been no update on her official site or MySpace for quite some time and the album that was supposed to come out received no mention anywhere.

There's good news, though: Pitchline, of Velvet's "Take My Body Close," "Come Into The Night," and "My Destiny" and upcoming songs with Magnus Carlsson, have just reported that they've done a song with Elin for her upcoming album (as well as posted a picture of a blonde Elin recording in their studio)! "My Destiny" may be a ballad, but that news means we should probably be optimistic about Elin keeping her dance-friendly sound.

If you missed out on Elin's great music from 2008, start with the Minogue-esque "Speak 'n Spell," which comes complete with a video with numerous popstar moments. There's something slinky and cool about "Speak 'n Spell" which sets it apart from other Swedish dance-pop music. Ideally, it's the direction I'd prefer Elin continue in, much as I love Pitchline's '80s-sounding hands-in-the-air dance-pop anthems, but we've yet to hear Pitchline do anything along these lines; plus, if there's still an attempt to push Elin internationally going on, I expect the style being pursued will be much more party-oriented. Still, I'm glad to have any news at all, and Elin working with Pitchline is potentially a great thing.

You think our time apart is the problem, and I like you when you're not around

(Please do not post this song link elsewhere.)

A BIG thank you to every one who stuck around through my year end countdown. As a gift of gratitude, I'd like to offer up a brand new song straight out of the von der Burg studios. "Get It Out" is the debut single of the former Swedish Idol contestant Gathania who caught our ears with "Blackout" late last year (which isn't yet released). I quibbled with Alex last year when he asked why September-like songs were being given to artists other than September, who hasn't released brand new material since 2007 (which isn't that long ago, it's September, so I'm always wanting new material from her), mainly because Elin Lanto's "Discotheque" isn't from the people who always do September's music and she doesn't have the same management team as Petra, but "Get It Out" is from those same writers...and boy, is it September-like (second album September, I'd say). It doesn't have Petra's lovely voice on it, but given its music, it's easy to imagine her singing it.

Still, I guess if Petra is understandably distracted with promoting the reworked version of "Can't Get Over" in the UK (she's just filmed a music video for it), we wouldn't be getting new music from her for a little while, so another artist under the von der Burg wing--especially since Danny has moved on (you can imagine his voice on this, too, come to think of it)--is something I'll welcome; I've yet to feel like their output is suffering by spreading it around to some different artists. It's certainly not suffering on "Get It Out," which is, to be honest, fantastic and, at least a few listens in, addictive. Effortlessly catchy dance-pop but with that sophisticated Von der Burg edge--there's something almost haunting about the riff of the chorus and the song even flirts with the piano house style--it makes for what's got to be one of the year's best debut singles. When I heard that "Blackout" wasn't actually her first single, I was a little bit confused, but hearing "Get It Out," I think it makes perfect sense.

(Brief lyrical aside: in a song about finally arguing and both partners finally saying what's on their minds, "just let me fill your heart up with sorrow/'cause it's better than a rotten lie" is stuck in my mind.)

To buy "Get It Out," go here (physical); you should be able to buy it digitally within a few days here.

In other news, did anyone else not realize until now that apparently the West End Girls have a new single titled "A Little Black Dress" (which I think is a Pet Shop Boys track technically not released but available "out there" and done for that musical thing? Feel free to correct me or provide more information) coming out February 11?

Next up: more Swedish pop, either from another young woman or from a male songwriter.

#17 Elin Lanto, "Speak 'n Spell"/"Discotheque"

Hey boys, here we are

***

I'm reborn at the discotheque

...and another cheat, but I really can't decide which of Elin's singles from this year I prefer. Is it the slinky electronic "Speak 'n Spell," written by Linda Sundblad and Johan Bobäck, or the camper uplifting celebration of disco, "Discotheque," written by Tony Nilsson and Henrik Jansson (and produced by Bassflow)? Both are intoxicating, albeit in different ways, and both came complete with fantastic videos full of potentially iconic imagery. From her reworked image to her brilliant music, Elin Lanto made herself a proper popstar in 2008, never setting a foot wrong. Now, if only some country somewhere would recognize that...as nervous as I am about her upcoming UK launch, she's got all the best wishes I can muster up.

Find it on: "Speak 'n Spell" (Single) and "Discotheque" (Single)

The sweetest rush

Not to turn into a Darin and Elin Lanto fan site, but I couldn't help posting the debut performance of "Breathing Your Love," from a UNICEF-type charity show that took place in Sweden last night (note the lack of Kat DeLuna vocals). I'm not sure about that first line, but after that it's pretty good--granted, with backup, but there's definitely real live singing going on that's impressive enough for me. I'm still obsessed with this song--listening to it while I'm out and about actually changes the way I'm walking. Still absolutely brilliant and completely addictive.



Also, I know I said earlier that we didn't know who the collaborators were, but that's totally wrong. Besides RedOne, apparently the album has songs with Novel, Billy, Murlyn, David Jassy, Ilya, Jason Ginni and Johan Bobäck (Darin co-wrote all the songs except one).

You non-Swedish music obsessives might know some of those names from Cyndi Lauper's recent tracks "Into The Nightlife" and "Echo." Because I can't pass up a chance to mention her again, though, Elin's "Speak 'n Spell" was also co-written by Bobäck.

You bring me back to life

Mini-update: I could be totally wrong on this, but I think--think--that Elin's "Discotheque" was written by Tony Nilsson and produced by Bassflow. I know Tony was working with Elin; I'm just not sure if this is one of his tracks, but I think it is.

Yes, Tony Nilsson and Bassflow. Tony Nilsson as in did the brilliant "Natalie" (which was my perfect Valentine's Day song before Ola's cover). Bassflow as in the brilliant remixes of Martin Stenmarck singles, Charlotte Perrelli's "Hero" and "Bullet," Bosson's "One In A Million" and "You," and basically so many great songs it's hard to believe. And together, Tony writing and Bassflow producing, as in all Ola's recent brilliant singles--"Natalie," "S.O.S.," "Love In Stereo," and "Feelgood." Tony Nilsson and Bassflow as in my oft-worshiped Swedish music creators. And I didn't think I could love them any more.

(This really is turning into the weekend of gushing. I just can't help myself.)

When you spin that record round and round

Responding to an e-mail earlier today, I couldn't help thinking something: 2007 was the year that French popstar Lorie remolded herself into a fabulous popstar. We'd had glimpses of that potential before, but it wasn't until "Je Vais Vite" that she really hit her stride. She's moved from strength to strength since then and into this year, releasing a brilliant album, a second single even better than the first, and continuing to nail the visual aspect in her videos. There are few things more exciting in the world than watching an artist you liked before suddenly kick into some sort of higher gear and reach levels of excellence you'd never even imagined before.

I think, at the rate she's going, 2008 is going to be the year of Elin Lanto becoming a fabulous popstar. She'd been good at various times in the past before, but I wasn't much of a fan of her 2007 Melodifestivalen entry, "Money." With her new record deal, though, she's unstoppable--well, in every way except sales, which should be far better than they are. On the most superficial level, her outfits, promo pictures, and music videos have reached a whole new level, one conveying a serious desire to be a popstar.

Most importantly, though, her music has just become almost unthinkably amazing. The sleek, sexy, somewhat Kylie-like "Speak 'n Spell" (co-written by Linda Sundblad) showed that all those photos she'd teased us with were a sign of a new sound, and a welcome one. "Discotheque" (posted for a very short time only, as we all need to support this new direction she's taking by buying the song, especially if we ever want to hear an album!), her new single, is also capable of inducing Kylie flashbacks as well; as Resa points out, there's something about the song and the video that makes you think back to the Light Years era. It's a little bit disco diva, too, and for some reason makes me think just a little bit of Alcazar, though that could just be because it's got the world "discotheque" in the title. It's fully danceable, complete with spacey background effects, the phrase "bang bang," and those strong electro pulses we got in "Speak 'n Spell," but it's got a big uplifting disco-pop chorus instead of of a slinky dance-pop one. My favorite bit of all, though, may be those backing vocal "oh"s, especially just before the middle 8. As a whole, "Discotheque" is a big, glitzy, catchy (need that even be said?) song about the power of music, unabashed about all that, and, yes, brilliant.

Next up: I may continue the raving trend by writing about an album.

My heart is on overload

Elin Lanto is LEGEN (wait for it) DARY.

Click here to watch the music video for "Discotheque." (Please please click!)

Update: YouTube video below. You can watch it in a bigger version through the link above, though, and that's better.



OK, qualification of yesterday's post: "Discotheque" is also the best song I've heard in ages.

The only thing I'd liked to have seen was a group of backing dancers jumping around to the "oh oh oh oh oh ohohoh" part in the middle 8 (around 1:56 on), but beyond that, I really don't think Elin could have turned into a more phenomenal popstar. She's rocketing through iconic images like coming up with them is nothing at all, and she's a literally perfect two for two on her past two videos and songs.

If someone does not let me buy this song in a matter of days, I may very well go crazy. (Edit: CDOn says the physical single comes out October 15. Please let it hit iTunes before that!)

(To the commenter who pointed this video out, I love you. Thank you!)

You saved me with a sound

Not that I'm obsessive or anything, but you can listen to the studio version of Elin Lanto's "Discotheque" on Catchy Tunes' MySpace. Sadly, it's in low quality, but I would imagine it's better quality than those videos we've heard it from so far. I'm holding off my final verdict until I hear the high quality version.

(Yes, the computer is back...came back without any programs on it, but with all documents saved, thank gooodness.)

I'm reborn at the discotheque

After only approximately AGES ("My Favorite Pair Of Jeans" doesn't count--it wasn't a real single and it was too close to the annoying "Money" side of her for my taste), we're FINALLY getting Elin Lanto's next single.

Let's revisit the brilliant "Speak 'n Spell," shall we?



So many icon-in-the-making moments in that.

Her new single is called "Discotheque" (promising!)--watch her perform it below.




I'm sorry, I hate this expression, but: OMG OMG OMG. I LOVE her reinvention. This album is going to be brilliant--it better be. Disco disco disco! (I'm saying this based on what I think the studio version will sound like.) I've been waiting and waiting for new material from her since the amazing popstar transformation that was "Speak 'n Spell" and the accompanying visuals took place, and finally getting new material from her that sounds like it'll live up to expectations is just fantastic. One site says the single comes out this September, but I'm not sure if that's still true.

(Also, I may be reading too much into it, but it is a just-under-three-minutes-long song...)

Edit: if you want to hear what might be more of a playback version of the song in lower quality, watch her performance from EuroPride; it starts at 3:14 of the video below. BRILLIANT.

You want it, you'll get it--just keep on working hard

Are all my favorite Swedish singers going to start pairing off?



Now it's Brolle and Elin Lanto. Semi-nice timing in the announcement on their part.

Speaking of Swedish singer couples, Måns Zelmerlöw of Måns-and-Marie is currently working on his second album, with tentative plans for a new single out in October and an album in November.

'Cause I ain't no intricated brunette

There's this certain type of beat, this squooshy oompah type beat, that's the musical equivalent of nails on a chalkboard for me. I wouldn't claim a song that used it was bad because it's just a personal thing, but it does make it difficult for me to like a song like, say, Girls Alouds' "Can't Speak French." When I heard Norwegian singer Jorun Stiansen's new single "Sticky Hands" last year, I was kind of interested in it but knew it was going to be the sort of song I could never really love--because of that beat. I mentioned it here but pretty much ignored it after that...until I ended up watching the video for it just recently (months after it was released). Jorun's gone from this look...



...for her first album--the "I'm a scrappy, slightly punky teenager" look (and even when she glammed up a bit in some of her videos, she was cute but still had this really young look to her)--to...



...well, she's more than a bit gorgeous now, no?

Anyway, that's besides the point: I somehow didn't get what the song was about until I saw the video--actually, scratch that, though it may have made me get some things, I think the video left me even more confused in the end (it's imprinted in my memory now, though--it's kind of the definition of "TOO MUCH" in its bizarre funny "what's going on?!" kind of sense). Regardless, though, the song's under my skin at the moment. It's still not the sort of song I can wholeheartedly love, but I've been playing it over and over again. Hopefully some of you won't share my aversion to that particular backbeat, too.

Sticky Hands--the lead single for Norwegian Idol 2005 winner Jorun's second album (her first album, by the way, contained the original "Takes One To Know One," later covered by Belinda and Amy Diamond--well, I think it's the original; I know it predates those two versions--I just don't know if there's some earlier version I don't know about), "Sticky Hands" is a mid-tempo pop song with that aforementioned oompah beat and little cabaret touches thrown in. Can we get back to that video, though? Seriously, what is going on? Jorun caresses an unmoving man with an animal head, then drags him out by a chain, and then blowdries her hair. And that's just the beginning--I could go on, but it's better not to spoil any of the randomness for you. It's given me a whole new appreciation for the song, though, so it's done its job. Oh, and side note: I love that instrumental section in the middle (in the video, it's the part with the spinning cabinet).

P.S. Yes, I know "intricated" isn't a word--tell that to Jorun. Or tell me what she's actually saying there, because that's sure what it sounds like to me.

I don't know of any way someone outside of Norway can buy Jorun Stiansen's single "Sticky Hands" (the album comes out later this year, apparently), but you can buy her debut album Unstable here (digital). Should you happen to live in Norway, you can buy the "Sticky Hands" single from iTunes here.

Anyway, the reason I ended up watching Jorun's video was that I was doing some catching up on other Norwegian artists. Girl group Lilyjets have a new single, "Song For You," coming out this April; R&B-oriented Idol contestant Wisnu has a new single called "Follow Me" coming out the same month; and Idol winner Aleksander With has new-ish clips of songs called "Honest Now" (my preferred song of the two; it sounds pretty lovely in his guy-with-piano way) and "Home Is Where You Are" on his MySpace.

In other random singer news, Russian singer Serebro have a new single out (in Russian) called "Opium." It (like their other songs) can be downloaded for free and in good quality from their website here. Foregoing the attitude-filled stompiness of "Song No. 1," it's got this backing in which laid-back but dark electronica washes and a stronger forward-moving guitar-type beat mix together to create something that could pass over you with little impression or come off as completely intoxicating depending on your taste and mood; I'm definitely leaning towards the latter at the moment (I completely adore it right now, to be more straightforward, though I can never guarantee how long something will stick with me), so I'd very much recommend checking it out. If the people on YouTube can be believed, there'll be an English version coming later.

Elin Lanto gave an interview saying that her album--due out this summer--was all built around the sound of "Speak 'n Spell," which is pretty fantastic news.

Next up: dance-influenced pop--or is it pop-influence dance?--from some years ago.

You want it, you'll get it, just keep on working hard

It's out:

Elin's video for "Speak 'n Spell"

In other Swedish news, Jonathan's actually at #25 on the iTunes chart at the moment--"Playing Me" must be getting a lot more radio play on P4 than I thought or something. Oh, an apparently Alexander Schöld made a music video for "Den första svalan."

Edit: I forgot to mention that I think Elin is working with Tony "Natalie"/"S.O.S."/"Love In Stereo" Nilsson, which is very exciting.

Also, I shoud've really actually written something about the video. It's definitey not full-on girl in dance video-type shots, movements, and exposure, but, even better, I'd also say it's not like the video for, say, Elize's "Automatic"--a video with some fantastic popstar moments but that also has some shots that hark back to that dance video sort of stuff. The outfit pictured in the post below works really well (and she looks fantastic in it), as do the military style outfit and the outfit that reminds me of an ANTM photo shoot. Her reinvention is pretty radical, though, and I hope that doesn't automatically throw the public off. I'll see if I can come up with something more coherent to say later. For now, though, basically: well done, Elin.

Dippin' toes in the water

It's beginning to look like whoever's managing Elin Lanto now is serious about turning her into a real "serious" popstar, of a whole different sort from what we knew her as. The promo pictures for her single were the first clue...



...but the thing that prompted this post? The video for "Speak 'n Spell" comes out on Monday.



The question is, will it be popstar making material or just a desperate attempt at a new more mature, less girl-next-door image? A reinvention like this is fantastic if you can do it, but very difficult to pull off, and right now I'm worried we'll end up with a case of the latter, though I'm hoping for the former (how exciting would that be?). I guess we'll find out Monday.

Hey boys, here we are

Last year Sweden's boys really brought it with the music--which I loved. That does mean, though, that it's time for some brilliant pop for the girls, and it's looking like Elin Lanto might just be leading the first charge. Elin released an album back in 2005 (which had some great songs on it), but there's a good chance more people (in blog world) know her for her 2007 Melodifestivalen entry, "Money," which wasn't exactly one of my favorites (I put it as my third favorite in its semifinal). Luckily, though, she seems to have gone in a new direction, and one that makes me very excited to see what else she's got in store for us.

Speak 'n Spell--co-written by Linda Sundblad, and I think you can hear that. "Speak 'n Spell" is a very slick catchy pop track, incorporating a little electro and a little dance, kind of like (in style) a faster "Lose You," in terms of the proportion of each of those genres you'll find in the pop mix. That's probably a very deceptive comparison, though, since it's not going for that vulnerability and I guess there is a little more dance in Elin's track--but it's that kind of cool aloof sort of dance, not the big swooshy kind like, say, Velvet's "Fix Me." You could probably say the track is Minogue-esque. This is such an improvement from "Money," and I like how Elin's voice sounds a lot more here, compared to on "Money." "Speak 'n Spell," sound effects and all, is genuinely a fantastic track and, for itself and for what it represents, a very exciting one.

As far as I know, the only stores from which you can currently buy Elin Lanto's (or Elin, as her single cover says) new single "Speak 'n Spell" from are country-restricted digital music stores, but should you have a Swedish credit card, you can buy the song here (digital). The song will only be posted for a little bit because I really want Elin to do well with it.

Next up: that South African singer or American singer.

You want it, you'll get it

Gosh, do I love a good bonkers idea in a pop song. Like, "what if we made a pop song using the sound effects from...


?"

I mean, concept-wise, that's right up there with ping pong sound effects, no? It's completely unnecessary and the idea might make an otherwise great slick pop song (co-written by Linda Sundblad, no less) seem too kitschy to some people, but it just makes me love the song more.

Plus, releasing through Catchy Tunes? That's got to be a good sign for future material's quality, right?

More tomorrow, unless I get completely sidetracked...as I usually seem to do.

Show me what it takes

Very stop-start so far...hopefully it all improves...Jessica vs. Elin up first.

Edit: I basically saw Elin's performance as a series of still images, so I can't judge...and now Anna Book is saying something about her...looked good, though!

Edit: and now the Ark are speaking about Jessica. Oh, Jessica, you might not have been comfortable in those hotpants last year, but did you have to go in the complete opposite direction? What is that shirt?

Edit: between these two, I'm not sure that it makes a huge difference to me...I think I might give Elin the edge, in terms of my preference, but it's very up in the air. I sort of have a sentimental attachment to Jessica.

Edit: ...and Jessica's through to the next round of this second chance thing! She was too cute holding that stuffed tiger, so I'm happy with this, too.

Edit: Jimmy vs. Sanna now...ooo, it's like Grease! They're going to race! I should support Sanna here, and I love her song, but I just love Jimmy's song more...he's who I'm rooting for.

Edit: yup, I still adore that song; even now, when I hear it I feel a strong desire to start bouncing around the room. It's so exactly what I love!

Edit...ohh, but I do love Sanna's song, too; both are in my top 10. My two favorites in the second chance round, and they're up against each other; can't we just send them both through instead?

Edit: Sanna's through--no surprise, and I am happy for her, but Jimmy's song is just so fun! I'm hoping she beats Jessica and goes to the Globen. Next up is Uno & Irma vs. Sonja, and I'm definitely hoping Sonja wins this; her ballad is so much better than Uno & Irma's.

Edit: there is something endearing about Uno & Irma's song, but--ooo, now Sonja's singing a Shirley song! And the audience is clapping along! See, people want her back!

Edit: Sonya through--good! I'm not sure who I want to win out of Magnus Uggla vs. Nanne--I think Nanne, though; and if I want Nanne to win, do I want her to beat Sonya? I'm not sure...I think so, but hmm...

Edit: Nanne and Magnus are playing chess--I think Nanne's the U.S. and Magnus is the Soviet Union?

Edit: Nanne's just performed, and--ooo! Now Mans is talking about Nanne. I love Mans's song--it's what I'm hoping wins the whole thing.

Edit: I just live this middle marchy bit of Magnus's song. And he really puts on a great show.

Edit: Magnus through. There will be some very unhappy people out there. I think I would've preferred Nanne, but I'm not hugely angry about it.

Edit: I've only ever seen Jessica's performance when the stream was very stop-start, so I've never noticed how she rips the tie off a man and then he takes it and puts it back on--I guess they didn't want her dancing around with a tie or something lying on the floor to interfere with strutting! I should be hoping for Sanna win more than I am--I want her to win, I think, but not as much as I expected.

Edit: lost my stream...and just when I was getting all optimistic about it staying.

Edit:...it's back! For the end of Sanna's performance.

Edit: some clips from the past--maybe past second chancers in the final? We get to see Barbados with Magnus, Alcazar, Bubbles, and Shirley Clamp, among others.

Edit: clips continue--oh my gosh, "Alcastar"! "Alla flickor"! Also, Magnus Backlund and Rednex. Yup, I'm pretty sure this is past second chance contestants' performances. I'm feeling all nostalgic now.

Edit: Sonja's just performed. Who do I want to win out of her and Magnus? I have no idea.

Edit: the host is smelling Jessica and Sanna now--weird! Just tell us who's made it.

Edit: nope, not telling us yet; Magnus is performing.

Edit: I've decided Magnus is too dangerous in the finals--I want Sonja to win this round.

Edit: great performance from Magnus again, and it is a fun song, but I hold to what I said--hopefully Sonja would just further split the ballad votes in the final, whereas I can see Magnus doing quite well. And if I want Mans to win, the less competition, the better.

Edit: Sanna through to the final!

Edit: and Sonja through! I'm surprised, but pleasantly so! Good for her.

Tell me what you like, tell me how you want it

Oh no! Andreas is out of the running! We still don't know who's going to the final and who's going to the other chance, but him, Addis Black Widow, and Sofia are all out of the running...that's two of my favorites gone!

Am I allowed to boo? Well, I'm very sad about this...though of course the studio version was better, I thought Andreas gave a good performance...I think there's only one way to sum this up:

:(

Even the people in the interval skit singing "Vindarna vänder oss" can't make up for this.

Update: Elin and the "God Morgon" song to the other chance, Tommy and Anna to the final.

So, what have we learned from all this?

My tastes are nothing like those of the Swedish public.

Update 2: Zshare isn't working for me at the moment, so it's looking like they'll be no new music today...if I get a chance, I may write up some things I keep meaning to do.

Check the beat, get down down down

Yay! I love Andreas's song (I don't know what everyone else will think, or how it would do, but I think it's great just as a song...plus, it better have some fun dance routines)! And there's some other great ones, too...I'll update this post in just a couple of minutes.

All right, so, my three favorites, in order of favorite to third favorite ("favorite" referring to what I like most, not what would do best at Eurovision), based on my first listen (I'm not mentioning last names or song titles, but you can find those here):

Update: links removed.

Andreas (a little clubby, and it's got handclaps! Makes me want an album from Andreas even more)

Sofia (like a Helena Paparizou song in that it's danceable pop with a Greek influence--I think I remember reading that Helena was thinking about or wanted to sing this song, or something along those lines?)

Elin (super-poppy, maybe even bubblegum; I think it's sort of funny that she's got a song about wanting all the money she can get and that includes the phrase "rich bitch" when a few months ago Andreas released a song using that same phrase about a woman obsessed with money)

(These are all web rips, so let me know if there's something wrong with the audio. They'll probably only be up for a limited time only, but then again, I'm sure a bunch of other blogs will have them, too. For the moment, though, I'm still so excited that I needed to do this! This is my first year following Melodifestivalen, so I'm incredibly excited to go through the whole process.)

There are also a couple of nice mid-tempos in the "adult" vein, Stefan & Aleena's song being the best of those, followed by Uno & Irma's.

To listen to all the songs from this semifinal, you can go to the official Melodifestivalen site (click on the pink arrow next to the performer's name); I think they're all up to listen to until tomorrow, when the ones that make it to future rounds will be taken down.

(Full disclosure: I couldn't manage to listen to Anna's song without it starting and stopping a million times, so I got frustrated and stopped trying; it could be very good, but I'm not able to judge it yet.)