The Montenegrin act and song was chosen on 27th November through the national final "Montesong 2024". The winner was declared after adding an equally weighted combination of jury and public votes, using the same system as Eurovision proper. However within a week, the victors, NeonoeN, withdrew their nomination after it was discovered that a version of their winning song "Clickbait" had been performed a year earlier at a festival. A few days later, RTCG announced that the second placed act would now be their representative. Going to Basel, and returning to Eurovision, will be Nina Žižić with the song "Dobrodošli" (Welcome)
Nina first entered the music scene as part of the group Negre which also had serial NF contender Milena Vučić as a member. Žižić left not long after the group's inception and released her first solo song "Rijeka Suza" in 2006. Nina had previously graced the Eurovision stage in 2013, accompanying the duo WhoSee with their iconic entry "Igranka". Although this entry had fan support - and had an extremely memorable music video AND live stage show - the song ultimately did not qualify for the finals. However, the song is now a firm staple of recent editions of the ESC250.
Nina is alone on stage for the whole performance although the backdrop changes between the different stages of the song. She is dressed in a sculptural white dress and whips off the matching diaphanous blindfold after the first chorus. Her song, wholly in Montenegrin, is of medium tempo although the words and syllables feel faster than what the underbelly of the track might first suggest. The song's structure is verse, chorus, verse chorus a then roller-coaster of a transition to the end. Nina has a very strong voice and shows great breath control from the very start where the tune is lower. She has good stage craft and tackles the matching armography with aplomb.
Although selected in unfortunate circumstances, the Montenegrin delegation should feel pleased they are able to fall back on someone ready, eager and trusted to serve the country fully. Although Nina's talent is undeniable the song is a weak and lacking a noticeable, discernible hook.. For me, the song unfurls after the second chorus. The protracted breakdown in the last minute of the song is too freeform; losing the momentum of the melody - especially for those not versed in the local language. I would prefer another short burst of a verse with a final proper chorus instead. I feel that the physical performance is rather striking although I wish the arm movements were more flowing and less frantic.
ARTIST - Nina Žižić
SONG - Dobrodošli
WRITING/PRODUCTION CREDITS - Darko Dimitrov, Violeta Mihajlovska Milić, Boris Subotić