Festivali i Këngës 59: Review of all the Entries

Eurovision might be in May, and many countries are choosing to use the acts they selected last year, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any national finals.

Albania are year on year among the first to select their entry through Festivali i Këngës, with their best result coming in 2012 with Rona Nishlu’s “Suus” finishing in fourth place.

26 songs are competing to be Albania's next entry. Will Eurovision move to Tirana in 2022? Lets’ review each song in order of the recap video below.

AGIM POSHKA – “VENDI IM”

Dull dull dull: classing this as elevator music would be nice. Predicted Eurovision Result: non-qualifier, finishing in the bottom three of the semi final.

ANXHELA PERISTERI – “KARMA”

Dramatic and powerful, if slightly dated. With a strong vocal performance and good staging, it could do well. Predicted Eurovision Result: qualifier, high right hand side of the board (15th-17th) at best.

DEVIS XHERAHU – “PENG”

It has some flavour to the song, but doesn’t seem to go anywhere. Predicted Eurovision Result: Non qualifier.

ENXHI NASUFI – “NJËSOJ”

A song style I’ve not heard at an Albanian national selection before. Funky and modern, it would be a left field choice for Albania, who seem to send either ballads or rock songs. Predicted Eurovision Result: qualifier, but low placing in the final (19th or lower).

ERA RUSI – “ZJARRI IM”

Sounds like a song you’d dance to at about 4am in a Spanish gay bar, and definitely wouldn’t remember it the day after. Predicted Eurovision Result: non qualifier.

ERIKSON LLOSHI – “JO”

Meh. Predicted Eurovision Result: Non-qualifer

EVI REÇI -“TJERR”

Smooth, cool and very different for Albania. A dark horse for Eurovision if selected. Predicted Eurovision Result: qualifier, nd may sneak onto the left hand side of the board (12th/13th place)

FATOS SHABANI – “TY”

You’d find this song on a driving songs cassette tape from 2001. Predicted Eurovision Result: non qualifier.

FESTINA MEJZINI – “KUSH JE TI DASHURI”

This song would fit better in Eurovision 2006 than 2021. Still like it however. Predicted Eurovision Result: non qualifier.

FLORENT ABRASHI – “VAJZË”

Dated middle of the road rock song, one of many that Festivali i Këngës have seen over the years. Predicted Eurovision Result: non qualifier, with a low placing.

FRANC KORUNI – “E MORËN BOTËN”

Not a bad pop song, but nothing very exciting. Predicted Eurovision Result: non qualifier.

GILIOLA HAVERIKU – “E LIRË”

Another left field entry, but again, nothing very exciting. Predicted Eurovision Result: non qualifier.

GJERGJ KAÇINARI -“MË JEP JETË”

Average male ballad, one of probably many that we would see at Eurovision the same year, and one that wouldn’t stand out. Predicted Eurovision Result: non qualifier.

INIS NEZIRI – “PENDESË”

Easily the most interesting song so far, and probably the only one so far with top ten potential. Predicted Eurovision Result: qualify easily, with a 10th-15th placing.

KAMELA ISLAMAJ – “AJO VAJZA”

Another forgettable song that wont be selected. Predicted Eurovision Result: non-qualifier.

KLEVIS BEGA (KASTRO ZISO) – “VALLJA E JETËS”

Rock but make it interesting. I like this, but not sure if it would set the juries or televoters at Eurovision alight. Predicted Eurovision Result: scrape through to the final if they are lucky, bottom five finish.

KLINTI ÇOLLAKU – “DO T’JA DAL”

Pretty good, I like this enough to give it a decent prediction. Predicted Eurovision Result: qualifier.

MANJOLA NALLBANI – “ORA E JETËS”

There's a lot of yelling in this song and not much else. Predicted Eurovision Result: non qualifier

MIRUD – “NËSE VDES”

Catchy, fun and has a lot of flair, and would be a good choice for Albania. Predicted Eurovision Result: qualifier, mid table at best

ORGESA ZAIMI – “VALIXHJA E KUJTIMEVE”

Sounds like something you’d hear in a modern version of a speakeasy, but as a background song to enjoy your Moscow Mules. Predicted Eurovision Result: non qualifier.

ROSELA GJYLBEGU – “VASHËZO”

Definitely Eastern Europe chart material, but would it be Eurovision material? Predicted Eurovision Result: non qualifier.

SARDI STRUGAJ – “KAM ME T’BA ME KAJT”

Another meh from me. Predicted Eurovision Result: non qualifier

STEFAN MARENA – “METEOR”

Cheesy, and about 15 year too late for Eurovision success. Predicted Eurovision Result: non qualifier.

VIKTOR TAHIRAJ – “NËNË”

DATED. Predicted Eurovision Result: non qualifier, bottom three in the semi-final.

WENDI MANCAKU – “SI AJO”

Very very boring. Predicted Eurovision Result: non qualifier.

XHESIKA POLO – “MË MBRON”

Reminds me of North Macedonia last year, and it could be powerful with the right presentation. Predicted Eurovision Result: qualifier, mid-table at best.

Overall: sorry Albania, I don’t see a winner here. There are some good options for a decent result, but lots of dated and forgettable songs.