They’re the three-time Melodifestivalen veterans who aren’t afraid to rip off their shirts while singing about naked swimming. And now Samir & Viktor are poised to hit the Mello 2024 stage to see if they can improve on fourth place — their best-ever finish in Sweden’s national final.
That’s according to Aftonbladet, who have once again worked their sources to extract the sweetest Mello tea.
“They’ve got a good place in the competition if they want it,” sources told reporter Torbjörn Ek, who has a stellar track record of revealing the Melodifestivalen artists before they’re publicly confirmed.
You’ll recall that the group split more than three years ago. During their hiatus, Samir became a real estate broker and Viktor started a social media agency, while also pursuing a solo music career. But “serious income losses” during Sweden’s economic recession compelled them to reunite in June 2023 to release “Skål” (that’s “Cheers!”).
Aftonbladet is confident the reunion will continue at Melfest in 2024. And while we don’t have anything extra to add, we’re fairly certain they won’t be singing an emotional ballad (LOL). This is how we reviewed their past three entries.
Melodifestivalen 2018: “Shuffla” — fourth place in the final
Deban: “Shuffla” feels shuffled — but it works! Samir and Viktor have done away with attempting to sing in tune, and slick choreography. Instead, they have prioritised fun over substance. As much as I like “Shuffla”, I can’t help but critique it as their weakest Melodifestivalen entry yet. Still, it gets me moving.
Angus: “Shuffla” is a surefire summer smash, but it’s not a Melfest winner nor a Eurovision contender either. The song is tired, trades on notes the dynamic duo have hit in previous singles, and relies on the decade old riff from “We No Speak Americano” to drive it forward. Samir & Viktor’s appeal is that they’re anti-Melfest: they aren’t polished are performers and are only in the competition for a good time. That’s all. This song falls between two stools: too self conscious to cash in on their appeal and not serious enough to actually challenge for the win.
Melodifestivalen 2016: “Bada nakna” — twelfth in the final (via Andra Chansen)
Edd: There’s whistling, there’s an EDM post-chorus, and watered down six-packs – it’s heaven. The fun that they have on stage brings me joy – and I think it’s about time Sweden sent something fun. And could you get more Swedish than a blonde and an Arab guy singing about skinny dipping? If they can whip off those trousers, too, when they get to the final, I honestly think this could win the whole thing!
Luis: Meh. “Bada Nakna” is too cheap for the most expensive national final. It’s like when you get supermarket ham as appetiser at a wedding: you like it, but you want the good dishes to start coming in. Samir and Viktor have nice chemistry, and the show they throw is entertaining, to say the least. But the act in the end relies too much on easy tricks, like ripping of their shirts and the breakdance.
Melodifestivalen 2015: “Groupie” — eighth in the final (via Andra Chansen)
Bogdan: First time I saw Samir and Viktor performing “Groupie”, I wasn’t sold (read: I hated it), but after I saw them again in Andra Chansen, I could understand why they got a second chance. The song is okay, y’all. You don’t need to speak Swedish to understand what they are singing about and it’s pretty catchy. The main downfall (and it’s a pretty big fall) is that vocally they are a bit of a mess. But I can certainly see this become a radio hit in Sweden, if it hasn’t already.
Robyn: Twin Twin might have been the first ESC act to take an on-stage selfie, but Samir & Viktor are taking things to another level by introducing the concept of a groupie. Musically, the song veers towards the twee folk-pop style that’s really overdone these days, but the duo’s natural charisma, cuteness and the joy of the song lift it above just being a novelty song.
Samir & Victor are the fifth act Aftonbladet are reporting for Melodifestivalen 2024. The full list is below.
- Lasse Stefanz
- Smash Into Pieces
- Dotter
- Liamoo
- Samir & Victor
