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
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