Albina & Familja Kelmendi have taken Albania back to comfortable and familiar ground at the Eurovision Song Contest. 

In the intro of Duje, drums usher in calling, spiritual-like vocals – synonymous with Albania at Eurovision – that eat up the first 30 seconds of the track. Even still, there’s ample time remaining for the track to grow and grow. 

The build to the song’s natural peak is rapid after the tardy intro is in the rear-view mirror. Guitars, strings and wind instruments join in before taking the ultimate spotlight in a musical breakdown that’s worthy of more appreciation than it’ll likely receive. 

The family of harmonies on this track are as strong as the love and blood that binds the band together. 

After last year’s poorly executed attempt to break into the relatively experimental music wilderness, Albania’s entry this year hits the mark and feels a lot purer.