MALTA 2026

The Maltese act and song was chosen on 17th January through the show "Malta Eurovision Song Contest". A winner was declared after adding a 50-50 mix of jury and televoting points. Off to Vienna in May is Aidan with the song "Bella" .

The performance sees Aidan alone on stage albeit with the use of some clever stage trickery around him. The lyrics recall a lost love and the singer’s hope/wish to requite with them. For the first time in decades, the song contains lines in the Maltese language, which are noticeable but not out of place. The whole piece feels dark and moody - he is dressed in black, the background is mostly black with only the odd spotlight. Part way through, Aidan is in darkness and focus switches to faux shadows on the floor then as the song builds there is the use of a "rose tornado”. The tightness of the camera on Aidan feels very intimate and creates a lot of connection between the viewer and the performer without excluding the many thousands in the arena. The song is somewhat visually reminiscent of “Voila” although the song style feels more like a Sanremo-esque crooner's ballad from way back when.

Although no audience is seen during the performance, there is audible support for Aidan. The song's simplicity puts the tune and Aidan's feelings at the centre rather than any vocal prowess. Overall, I appreciate the different aspects of the show but am not convinced they are cohesive. Aidan's outfit feels ambivalent and the on-stage darkness suggests a much more sinister implication to the lyrics. The current package may raise critical commentary but might also pique some wider interest and create a buzz.

ARTIST - Aidan

SONG – Bella

WRITING/PRODUCTION CREDITS – Sarah Bonnici,Joen van den Boom, Aidan Cassar

 

MOLDOVA 2026

The Moldovan act and song was chosen on 17th January through the show "Selecția Națională". A winner was declared after adding equally weighted Moldovan jury, international jury and national televoting points. Winning all three sections of the vote and therefore going to Vienna is Satoshi with the song "Viva Moldova!" 

This effervescent and dynamic song is backed up by a just as energetic stage performance. The lyrics, which dip into many languages, extol the country of Moldova and its people - a well-trodden trope in some the country’s previous entries. All 6 members on stage are dressed in a range of maroon outfits which gives a touch of unity and balance between the vibrancy and energy. Apart from the drummer, the others move around a lot. The movement is blocked for the camera so that they each have a time to shine and not get in the way of each other. That said, the movement feels immediate, interactive and reactive with the audience rather than something obviously rehearsed. The background picks out key words from the song as well traditional icons and colours from the flag of Moldova. The song marries together rap, rock and folk in a way reminiscent of Kalush Orchestra and Zdob și Zdub.

The stadium goes in hard for this and the band bounces off the audience as much as the audience is bouncing off them. Although not a vehicle to show vocal dexterity, the song creates little doubt that this is the Moldovan entry! The shifts in language do not jar and opens the song up to non-Romanian speakers. This live performance is a good starting point but needs to funnel the spirit of the song with some sharpening up the camera direction to make this something that will stand out to jury and televoters in May.

ARTIST - Satochi
SONG – Viva, Moldova!
WRITING/PRODUCTION CREDITS - Boris Subotić

MONTENEGRO 2026

The Montenegrin act and song was chosen on 21st December through the national final "Montesong". A winner was declared after adding equally weighted jury and public points. Going to Vienna is Tamara Živković with the song "Nova zora" (New Dawn)

This entry exercises a good mix of modern pop tropes, Balkan spirit and choral chanting. Tamara's song relays the idea of turning over a new leaf, starting over again or putting a full stop after bad times. Tamara, and her backing dancers, are dressed in black outfits with bondage buckle overlays. The choreography is rather repetitive - mirroring the stuttering beats - and mostly quite gestural. This keeps the visual energetic but also keeps Tamara's breath in check when she needs to sing. The background, albeit very simple, turns during the span of the song black to red then ending in blue. Added to this this are the occasional overlay of symbols and the name of the song.  Her ensemble also mimes along with the chanting and creates more drama and emotion on the screen through their facial expressions. It seems to be leaning into the some of the themes from entries such as "Wasted Love", "Poison Cake" and "Gaia".

The lack of atmosphere in the room doesn't help nor hinder the live performance although Tamara & Co. work well to create enough theatrics to keep the viewer interested. Her voice carries well but will be under much more scrutiny during the contest. I enjoy the sound of the language which seems to lend itself to the theatrical essence. This entry has a good starting point but I feel a lot needs to be worked on to make this something that will stand out and be worthy of votes in May.

ARTIST - Tamara Živković

SONG - Nova zora

WRITING/PRODUCTION CREDITS - Boris Subotić

ALBANIA 2026

The Albanian act and song was chosen on 21st December through the 64th edition of their annual song contest "Festivali i Këngës". The selection of their Eurovision representative was made through a combination of jury and televoting. Going to Vienna will be Alis with the song "Nân" (Mother)

The song, staging and camera work leans into the dramatic; balancing somewhere between a melancholic Balkan ballad and a dark operatic aria. The song’s theme relays the conflicting emotions of a mother who is saying goodbye to her child(ren) leaving the family home. Alis’ outfit gives off a “steampunk pallbearer” vibe yet the addition of dark sunglasses seems not to stop his charisma and emotion coming through the screen. Throughout the song he holds a pocket watch on a chain which he nudges towards the audience at times. The spiralling not-so-steadycam work emphasises the themes of abandonment, desertion and loneliness but this also makes Alis the centre of the song allowing his strength - and the songs power - to shine. As a negative, the dark aura on screen makes Alis hard to pick out but changes can easily be made to rectify this. Alis has a powerhouse of a vocal and this song brings to the fore his dexterity to show strength and fragility simultaneously without an exaggerated physicality.

The local crowd is audibly and visibly gung-ho for this song, which was the pre-show favourite before the festival began. Something this dramatic and artistic is bound to do well with the Albanian diaspora at home and with any vocal technicians in the jury. There will need to be some editing to the song length – but not too much – and to the visual notes of the production. This is a very competent entry, encompassing an ethnic energy and anthemic chorus, and should do well when May comes. 

ARTIST - Alis
SONG - Nân
WRITING/PRODUCTION CREDITS - Erjet Barbullushi, Desara Gjini, Alis Kallaçi