Eurovision 2016: Review: Cyprus: Minus One: Alter Ego

Minus One will fly the Cypriot flag in Stockholm

Having failed to win the ticket to the Eurovision semis in 2015, rock band Minus One have been picked internally to represent Cyprus in 2016 with the co-composed Thomas G:Son track, Alter Ego.

Cyprus's fortunes since the introduction of the semi-finals have been, to say the least, patchy. Just three final appearances in nine attempts, including last year's plaintive ballad from Giannis Karagiannis called One Thing I Should Have Done.

Minus One will hope to continue where Karagiannis left off and climb the scoreboard further - albeit with a completely different sound. Where last year's somewhat comatose entry may have been guilty of sending you to sleep, the driving pop/rock of Alter Ego is likely to hold your attention, particularly if it is staged well.

It's liable to be compared to the type of song that Imagine Dragons or The Killers may have tucked away on one of their albums. No bad thing, to be honest. It's commercial and well produced. Indeed, as you would expect, with contributions from some of the Swedish Eurovision gentry, the sound is slick and radio-friendly, if otherwise rather sanitised.

Of course, this judgement is based on the polished video take of the song. On stage, Minus One are known for their unrelenting energy and  remarkable chemistry, so a more unrestrained presentation in Stockholm may win over any non-believers.

Regardless, Alter Ego should lift the roof off the Ericsson Globe in May by effortlessly engaging the flag-waving crowd. If there's any justice, a Top 10 placing could easily be achieved - if not a berth in the Top 5.

One of 2016's best offerings. What do you think?

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