Melodifestivalen 2021 Semi-Final 3: Charlotte Perrelli and Alvaro Estrella Take The Stage! Our Thoughts [Snippets/Rehearsals]

We’re still recovering from the upset of Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos going AC and Patrik Jean not qualifying last weekend. We’re talking Teresa Giudice table flip mad here. Fortunately we did have the joy of Dotter and Anton Ewald going DTF to help heal our heart. But onwards to Semi-Final 3 and there is one name on our lips – HRH Queen of Eurovision, Melodifestivalen and Sweden: Charlotte Perrelli. The Swedish pop sensation returns with a new schlager anthem Still Young. There’s also exciting new Melo talent in the form of Klara Hammarström and Tusse.

Read our thoughts on the full crop of Semi-Final 3 below. As always you can catch the semi-final on SVT at 20.00 CET. International audiences can watch directly through the SVT website.

Rehearsal Clips & Snippets

1. Charlotte Perrelli – “Still Young”
2. Emil Assergård – “Om allting skiter sig”
3. Klara Hammarström – “Beat of Broken Hearts”
4. Mustasch – “Contagious”
5. Elisa – “Den du är”
6. Alvaro Estrella – “Baila Baila”
7. Tusse – “Voices”

1. Charlotte Perrelli – Still Young

Of the established acts competing tonight, Charlotte Perrelli is a hard one to beat. The former Eurovision champion and two times Melodifestivalen victor returns to the contest hoping for glory with her new song Still Young. The song appears to be a big schlager anthem with Charlotte’s powerful vocals shining against up-tempo anthemic production. We are truly excited about this and think it’s a sure fire DTF entry.

2. Emil Assergård – Om allting skiter sig

Emil Assergård delivers a slice of traditional Swedish vocal pop that may be a hit with the native audience. With the rousing, chanting chorus this feels like a classic Swedish anthem that you could imagine hearing blasting from a crowded pub enjoyed by revellers. It’s old school, Swedish entertainment and appropriate vibrant production could see this being a hit with viewers.

3. Klara Hammarström – Beat of Broken Hearts

Klara’s mid-tempo pop gem Beat of Broken Hearts builds to a real anthemic chorus feeling like a real stadium filling anthem. With a chorus that stays with you and Klara’s confident vocal performance, we really hope this one does well. You can read our interview with the track’s co-writer Andreas Wijk here.

4. Mustasch – Contagious

Surely Lillasyster have the rock thing covered for this year’s Melo? Mustach’s Contagious is just not for us, but after Lillasyster’s AC qualification over Jessica Andersson, we are slightly concerned this might take precedence over one of the more enjoyable pop acts.

5. Elisa – Den du är

This elegant Swedish-language ballad is enhanced by the glittering production and Elisa’s warm and confident performance. We are not entirely convinced that this will qualify, but once again it’s nice to have the Swedish language represented in more Melodifestivalen acts.

6. Alvaro Estrella – Baila Baila

Alvaro has charm in bucketloads and this slick Spanglish anthem is set to bring some variety to the night. The staging is simple paving the way for focus on Alvaro’s dance moves, whilst the song is an earworming treat with a definite Eurovision appeal.

7. Tusse – Voices

With dramatic yet simple staging, Tusse’s vocals and performance are set to take centre stage. The track has a real energy and anthemic quality with Tusse delivering it with a natural strength and power. A bit like last week’s Frida Green, Tusse already has the viewing public’s support after success on a singing competition – in this case Swedish Idol. Expect him to do well on the night.

For our thoughts on the semi-final one tracks check here. Read our semi-final two round up here.