In just over two weeks time she’ll sing “Requiem” for La Belle France during the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Kyiv. But before she takes to the stage at the International Exhibition Center in Ukraine, Alma has one small thing to do: release her debut LP Ma Peau Aime, which drops May 5 through Warner Music France.
And ahead of that she’s released one of the 13 tracks from the album “À demi pardonnée” as a teaser track.
The title translates as “Half Forgiven” and tells the story of two lovers, retracing the steps of a failed relationship. Sigh: We’ve all been there.
In the atmospheric, electro-tinged ballad, she sings: “We only half love each other, we must admit it. But fault avowed, fault half forgiven, who will leave first?”
Those lyrics are ruul deep y’all, and a world away from the fun kooky vibes Alma served when she performed the Eurovision classic “Poupée de cire, poupée de son” at the SIDACTION telethon.
WORKING WITH NAZIM KHALED ON MA PEAU AIME
Much of Ma Peau Aime, including Eurovision track “Requiem”, has been written and produced by Nazim Khaled. Eurofans will remember him as the man behind Amir’s 6th place entry “J’ai Cherché”.
But he also has an extensive back catalogue of hits for French stars Kendji Girac, Yannick Noah and more.
Amir of course will be joining Alma in Kyiv as part of France 2’s Commentary Team for the semi-finals and Grand Final. Speaking to Le Figaro, Alma revealed that having Amir there is a relief:
“It’s good to know he’ll be on the ground with me,” she confided. “I don’t know what’s going to happen at Eurovision, but I know if there’s any doubt I can turn to him.”
Amir also sang Alma’s praises: “She has at the same time the charm, the charisma, and a very effective song, with timeless phrases that everyone knows: “Embrasse moi, tell me you love me.”
Amir’s top tip for Alma is to hone her craft at the rehearsals: “Treat the rehearsals like the real show, get all the fear and stress out before the grand final, and know that when you get on stage you can’t do any more.”
The dynamic duo will depart for Kyiv later than other delegations who will descend on the Ukrainian capital this weekend before the start of rehearsals on Sunday.
Jay had the good comment, in France we are focusses on the Presidential election. It’s a trouble period in our country, France is litterately cut in two part, and the elections are on all tv channels. So there are not big place for Eurovision. In addition actually it’s the new season of “The Voice France”. And for many people in France, Eurovision is “just” a tv contest like an other. And The Voice and the grand final will be front the same night. Last year, Eurovision win the audience, but Amir was very popular, and he come from The Voice.… Read more »
@Etoile
The fact that nobody(almost) bought her song or even listened to it for free on the streaming platforms is a good sign that she won’t be successful. Look at what works in France and then compare to Alma…
I don’t agree with your opinion but thanks for sharing it !
The fact that “no one” knows her in France is not entirely true she did the 1rst parties of Amir. But yes many don’t know her because she is a debuting artist and it’s her first album so that’s quite logical she must start somewhere ! And knowing the French people that don’t care about Eurovision nothing is surprising, all of her success ephemereal or not will only depend on her rank in the contest like Amir. They can be quite versatile (don’t know if it’s the good word xD) and giving zero support for their candidate and then be… Read more »
I think she’s well less-known this year than Amir and has less advertising due to the ”second toure” of France’s Presidentials and french medias which are more concentrated and focused on the election of their next President, than Alma, their representant at ESC 😀 It’s sad but it’s true
French medias don’t cover Eurovision that much though it changes with Amir and Alma. I think Alma has even more mediatic presence that Amir last year certainly thanks to his place. I agree she is less known because Amir at least participated in The Voice France. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
As nice as she seems to be Alma has 0 chance to have a successful career in France, even if she wins Eurovision. Her song Requiem charted 4 days and then disappeared. It’s not even in the streaming charts or in the ITunes Charts. Her other single La chute est lente has been released in January and never charted. Nobody knows her in France except the ones who follow Eurovision.
Kinda unfair that you guys push Alma’s new album so much, when Levina does also have an album out tomorrow and released tracks from it.
I’m not really fan of both despite their entries, I only want justice.
I agree and I love them both!:) I love her song Stop Right There.
Because we simply don’t care of Levina … she’s a qualified and talented singer, but she has a mediocre song where the intro sounds like Titanium of David Guetta. Alma is most interesting. You want a justice where there isn’t injustice. And if you don’t love their entries, then why do you post that stupid comment ?!
Why the random Mariah Carey reference in the title lol