Review: “Melodi Grand Prix 2024” – Semi-Final 1 (Norway)

Norway will choose an artist and a song for Eurovision 2024 via “Melodi Grand Prix 2024″.
18 acts will compete in 3 semi-final, 9 of them will qualify for the final (3 per semi-final).
In this post, I will review the 6 songs competing in the first semi-final (on 13th of January 2024)

#1.Fredrik Haaland – “Stranded“

• It is a piano ballad.
• The song starts with a calming piano playing, and then Fredrik joins. He sings with a mid-low tone of voice.
• Pre-chorus is a bit faster and he uses a slightly higher tone of voice.
• The chorus is more laid back, with minimalistic production. As the chorus progresses, he sings more powerfully.
• The second choros starts similarly to the first one. However, the melody changes to a classic guitar based (and not piano). He keeps on singing softly, almost unbothered.
• The second chorus is less powerful, as the melody is based on fragmented guitar and keyboard playing.
• The bridge comes after, and it brings the flow back to the song. It mostly repeats the chorus with several tiny changes.
• It’s a decent ballad, and that’s it. Nothing exciting, unfortunately. It reminded me a bit of Bjørn Olav’s song from “MGP 2023″: “Turn Off My Heart”.

#2. Gothminister – “We Come Alive“

• It is a gothic rock song.
• The song starts with an intro that features synth elements and husky singing.
• Thereafter, we get an electronic beat that precedes the first verse. The first 2 verses share the same structure. The melody is based on electric guitar and drums. Each one of 2 lines is “We Come Alive”. The singing is based on a raspy voice.
• The chorus is different, melody wise. The atmosphere is darker, the melody is built on a cyclic electronic guitar beat, the drums are more “kicking” and the singing is more like of a growling.
• The third verse comes right after, and shares the same structure. However, this time the electronic elements took over (and upgraded the song).
• The bridge combines several different backing vocals, and felt more epic.
• Electronic beats are being brought back and empowering the message
• Something about the repetitiveness of the lyrics and the structure put me down

#3. Ingrid Jasmin – “Eya“

• It is a billengual Latin-Caltic mid-tempo pop song, performed in Spanish and Norwegian.
• The song starts with humming and vocal trills with some auto-tone effects over it.
• Thereafter, we get a bass beat which will be one of the main effects if the song.
• The first verse is performed with a dreamy angelic voice, while the beat is weaker but still effective.
• The pre-chorus is based on guitar playing.
• The first chorus is based on a warmer production. This part features backing vocals and a drum beat.
• It is followed by another verse based on guitar, xliophone and keyboards playing. This time, Ingrid sings in Spanish. Latin elements have a greater presence.
• Right after, we get the ethnic Latin pop transition part. This part will probably be well utilized for a dance break.
• The chorus has more Middle-East music elements that come in many colors.
• Overall, this is a unique song in the line-up. It has a lot of staging potential.
• Sonically, the fusion of several styles and genres converges into a very good effort.
• I find it a little similar to “Ella” (Cyprus, Eurovision 2022)

#4. Margaret Berger – “Oblivion“

• It is an electro-pop song with some synth elements.
• The song starts with synth elements. Margaret enters with her unique voice. You can immediately tell it will be an electro-pop piece. She sings confidently with some manners. The first verse continues with the synth playing combined with a gentle beat. Vocally, she sings it a bit higher.
• The pre-chorus sounds like 2010’s electro pop piece, accompanied by a more modern production. It conveys a darker atmosphere. The melody is based on electric keyboard and percussion elements. She sings it in a higher tone of voice, until the soft high note the separated between the pre-chorus and the chorus,
• The chorus itself is more focused on humming and backing vocals. it takes the song back to the electronic field.
• The second verse takes the song in a different direction. The synth elements are weaker, while keyboards playing take their place. We can hear a different tempo which warps the melody into a more complex layer.
• The second pre-chorus is similar to the first one. Once again, we can hear backing vocals.
• The chorus is exciting and Margaret shows us what a great vocalist she is.
• The bridge is based on a faster beat, and combines synth and keyboard elements. She sings it more emotionally with a softer interpretation. This part in finalized by an impressive long note.
• The song ends with one last chorus, which is built on multi-layers. The production is richer and denser. This part is danceable, epic and exciting. Margaret closes the song with high-note singing.
• Overall, this is a delicate electro pop song, with an impressive production. Melodically, a lot has happened here. I feel like the team behind the song has invested a lot of effort in creating the song, has each part created a new station in the fabulous journey called “Oblivion”
• For me, it is one of the best songs of the Eurovision 2024 season.

#5. Mathilde SPZ feat. Chris Archer, Slam Dunk – “Woman Show“

• It is a Euro dance pop with rap parts.
• The song starts with an echoing beat and the “woman show” mentioning.
• The first verse is based on electric keyboard, echo effect and a growing dance beat. We can hear male backing vocals. It is performed by Mathilde.
• The chorus is energetic and comes right after. Not a lot happens lyrically. The last part of the chorus is performed by Chris and Slam in a fast reciting.
• The second chorus is performed as a Norwegian rap, with one of the male vocalists leading the singing.
• Thereafter, we get another chorus that starts with Mathilde‘s singing. The melody is based on a dance beat. Towards the end, we get some effects over the singing,
• The chorus is followed by a short instrumental part involving electric guitar and electric keyboard.
• The bridge is based on a thinner beat that grows as it progresses. The lead singer sings in longer notes.
• Finally, we get a last chorus which includes rap parts as well. This time the lead singer sings the backing vocals.
• Honestly, there is something dated about the production and the whole idea behind this song. For sure, they will bring an uplifting and energetic performance to the stage.
• However, musically it suggests a very specific path.

#6. Myra – “Heart On Fire“

• It is a pop song.
• The song starts with string-elements melody.
• Thereafter, we get the chorus immediately. She sings with some backing vocalists in the background. The melody is based on guitar and keyboards.
• The first verse has a quite simple composition. Myra sings with a mid-tone singing. We can hear humming as backing vocals. The flow is linear and natural.
• The pre-chorus is slightly faster, but in general keeps the same energy from the verse. Towards the end, we can hear more semi-electronic elements being added
• Once again, we get the chorus which resembles the intro. It is followed by a short instrumental part composed by violin as well.
• The following verse is based on greater presence of guitar and studio effects. The backing vocalists mostly repeat her singing.
• Once again we get the pre-chorus and the chorus.
• The bridge starts with unplugged singing of “I got you know, I am so excited” with minimal production.
• We get an additional chorus performed in a higher tone, and the melody is airier, as the string elements take a bigger place.
• Overall, this one is too basic for me. It is one of the cases where the singer is better than the song.
• I can barely remember the song, and the generic lyrics don’t help here at all. For me, it is below average in any aspect.

Personal Ranking

1. Margaret Berger – Oblivion
2. Ingrid Jasmin – Eya
3. Mathilde SPZ feat. Chris Archer, Slam Dunk – Woman Show
4. Fredrik Haaland – Stranded
5. Gothminister – We Come Alive
6. Myra – Heart On Fire

Prediction

I think there are 2 solid qualifiers from this semi-final and those are: Margaret Berger and Ingrid Jasmin.
For the 3rd spot, I guess it will depend on the performance itself: It can be either Gothminister or Mathilde SPZ feat. Chris Archer, Slam Dun

Which song is your favorite one?
What’s your prediction for the 3 qualifiers from this semi-final?

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