Albania heads to Vienna with Alis and ‘Nân’, chosen through Festivali i Këngës 64 back in December, winning both jury and televote in the final, so this was not some back-room compromise everybody politely agreed to endure. It arrives a year after Shkodra Elektronike gave Albania one of its strongest recent Eurovision results, which inevitably changes the mood around the delegation.
‘Nân’ leans into a familiar Albanian lane: solemn opening textures, a vocal delivered with real strain and feeling, and an arrangement that gradually pushes towards full Balkan lament. There’s atmosphere and conviction. Alis clearly means every note, which counts for something in a contest not exactly short of people emoting their little hearts out. But the song feels rather fixed in one gear. Its intensity arrives early and stays, which lends ‘Nân’ weight but not always momentum.
For me, qualification feels possible rather than assured. Albania performs 13th in the second semi-final. Up against some of this year’s potential biggest hitters. And straight after potential train wreck/scene stealing Big Four UK. That said, the song’s seriousness could pick up jury respect provided the vocals hold, and the staging remains typically red and black. Televoters may be less automatic. ‘Nân’ has identity and emotional heft, but it asks the audience to come to it rather than meeting them halfway.
Sometimes that works beautifully. Sometimes it finishes eleventh and sparks a week of online pundrity.
4 points
