Klesta Qehaja

Today the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — travelled to beautiful Tirana to soak up the rich history of one of the smallest countries in Europe. Whilst we sight-saw we decided to review Albania’s entry for Junior Eurovision 2016. Were we blown away by Klesta Qehaja‘s song “Besoj” (I Believe) and her powerful voice? Read on to find out…

Albania’s Junior Eurovision 2016 song

“Besoj” reviews – Klesta Qehaja

Jason: I loved the first version of “Besoj” for its subtle balance of power and emotion, and of course, Klesta herself. The new and improved cut takes this entry to even greater heights. It has been delicately preened and polished and is ready to take on the favourites. So they better watch out, because Klesta is not messing around.

Score: 9.5/10

Robyn: I really liked the original version of “Besoj”, and I like the revamped version even more. It has a punchier sound, contemporary styles mixed with orchestral drama. The English lyrics underscores the message – it’s a peace song, y’all. The hopeful message of the song, delivered with Klesta’s sweet and powerful vocals, is just what the world needs right now.

Score: 9/10

William: “Besoj” — I Believe — isn’t just a matter of faith. It’s a matter of stirring vocals, credible delivery and unbelievable control. The power is so immense it’s as if tiny Klesta is hiding an army of backing vocalists in her pink hairpiece. This song has real soul. With the right staging and a lucky draw, Albania could improve on last year’s triumph.

Score: 9/10

Bernardo: Close your eyes and start listening to “Besoj”. One minute later open them and be shocked to find little Klesta Qehaja singing the tune. Klesta won me over with the first chorus and had me hooked until her last word. Three minutes of power, raw emotion and beautiful stage presence. Following the smooth, easy-listening of Mishela Rapo’s “Dambaje”, the juries will appreciate the intensity of this performance as much as I do.

Score: 7.5/10

Edd: Monumental vocals on a beautiful (yet terrifying) orchestral ballad — classic Albania. It’s difficult to fully appreciate this song when she’s stood in a tiny studio dressed as a pretty pink bridesmaid. But when I visualise her on the big stage wearing some dramatic black headdress and a whole load of Rona Nishliu-esque red spotlights, it’s something really quite powerful.

Score: 7.5/10

Chris: Klesta is this year’s version of Krisia Todorova: an adorable young girl with a voice that’s beyond powerful for her age. “Besoj” has a tenderness to it that also helps to accentuate the power notes when they do come. I don’t see this as the winner, but Albania should once again come away from JESC feeling very proud of themselves.

Score: 7/10

Deban: Klesta is a mini Nana Mouskouri. She serves raw emotions and packages it in a voice that expands more than an accordion. How many octaves does she have?! “Besoj” calls for extraordinary vocal gymnastics, and pitch perfect vocal delivery. The adult music experts will respect this. Children will stop, listen and be amazed — but may hesitate to join in.

Score: 7/10

Andy: This girl can sing!  You will be hard-pressed to find a vocalist who feels her song as deeply as this young starlet. The song is a tad dated and a little slow in parts, but it is at no fault of the singer who slays this power ballad like the most experienced adult songstress.

Score: 6.5/10

Josh: Power and drama. Not only are these the names of my thighs, but they are the two words that perfectly sum up “Besoj”. Klesta is an absolute vocal powerhouse, and delivers the song with such conviction and intensity that my jaw just about hits the floor. And to deliver that sort of emotion at such a young age — I tip my hat to Klesta for being an absolutely dynamic and theatrical performer. Yaaassss!

Score: 6.5/10

Renske: Such a big song for such a small girl. Klesta is incredibly talented and has a stunning voice for her age. The song, however, might be a bit too big for her. I think that if she had waited a few years, the combination of the song and her would have been even better than it is now.

Score: 8.5/10

Our jury for 2016 consists of twenty-one jurors, but we only have room for ten reviews. The remaining eleven scores are listed below.

Antony: 7/10

Antranig: 9.5/10

Dayana: 8/10

Jordi: 7/10

Luis: 7/10

Marek: 10/10

Mario: 6.5/10

Matt: 8/10

Rezo: 6/10

Stanislav: 8/10

Zakaria: 7/10

The highest and lowest scores are not counted prior to calculating the average score. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 6 and a high of 10.

Wiwi Jury score: 7.68/10

Review all Wiwi Jury rankings and reviews

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(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

It’s a 9.5/10 now! The revamp made this masterpiece even better! My 2nd favorite!

Diuwè San
Diuwè San
7 years ago

My 2nd!!

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

For me, it’s a solid 9/10. A strong voice, and the song manages to be catchy despite it being slow. Very well done. Would’ve worked for the adult contest as well.

Z24
Z24
7 years ago

I’d want to wait until the revamped version (if it is being made) or the studio one before any judgement, but definetly trying the Cauchi/Falzon route. I feel between Poland, Italy and this one of them will have to lose big :/

Eva M.
Eva M.
7 years ago

This is one of my personal favorites. I do not speak a word of Albanian, but of course has read the translation of the title of the song. Well, this is one of these rare songs that is summed up by one word, and this is enough for me-to understand the drama and the power of the faith because the music and performance carry it. This is Balkan power ballad like no other in 2016 JESC and reminds me of Lena Stamenkovich or Krisia. This, unlike most of this year’s entries is original and something I have never heard before… Read more »

Mimimi
Mimimi
7 years ago

10/10. I love it

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

@Erin

You have a great point there.

Rhin
Rhin
7 years ago

Her voice and passion make the performance special ( Klesta is one of the few contestants that actually put feeling in their songs). The song itself however is a bit underwhelming with some issues in the latter half. I am waiting for my own placement of Albania until I hear the final version. If they use the national final one It will be around 6-8th place.

Laburnum
Laburnum
7 years ago

Is this song going to get redone like Dambaje last year?

beccaboo1212
7 years ago

Even if people are still waiting for Klesta to release a new version (and EXPENSIVE music video) for this song, on earth thing’s for sure is that it still continues to be…a masterpiece! 🙂

10/10

Héctor
Héctor
7 years ago

One of my favs! But I hope they are working on her clothes. Very emotional song delivered with a strong powerful voice.
8,5/10

Erin
Erin
7 years ago

It’s almost criminal to let such a cutie pie (and I mean that in the sincerest and most innocent form) carry the weight of the adult world on her tiny shoulders. Klesta is such an intelligent and perceptive performer that it’s agonizing to hear how she stretches her pitch and voice volume beyond the call of duty. I don’t like it when adults assume that young performers need to erupt like a volcano with a vengeance as a testament of their maturity and talent. I still give this performance a 7/10 score because you can’t remain indifferent to her impassioned… Read more »

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
7 years ago

When i first listened to this, i thought it was perfect, but is started to fall in my top FAST. Her voice may be the best this year, but the song geths repetetive very fast.

7.5/10
Rank: 13/15

SpirK
SpirK
7 years ago

My favorite till now. Big voice, sensitivity and a performer who feels her song. 9/10

MirkoJoshua
MirkoJoshua
7 years ago

I loved her song at a first listen, but, as off now, there are so many better songs… if they revamp Besoj (like they did with Dambaje) it will probably grow in me

dumbaje
dumbaje
7 years ago

nope this is annoying stop screaming :S + bad production

Erasmus
Erasmus
7 years ago

Come on this is way worse than Cyprus… I admire her voice, but on the moments it gets screamy. Production is bad.

DenizNL
DenizNL
7 years ago

Thus is my last currently and it probably will stay there. For me it’s just too screamy and it hurts my ear, other people might think different. 3/10

Ryan Crean
Ryan Crean
7 years ago

When I first listened to it it was my 3rd favourite,and I still love it but more and more powerful songs are being revealed each day and it’s hard to keep her up there but I love her

8/10
11th Place for the moment

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

I totally agree with Jason! This is amazing, it gives me chills! The song is simple, yet very powerful and the lyrics hide a great message. Not going to comment much on her voice, she is beyond fabulous and the juries should respect that and award Albania a place in the top 3. With the right revamp and the right live performance this can become my winner. At least release a music video. Please, Albania. This high-quality entry deserves high-quality sound as well.

Score: 8.5/10
Rank: 2nd/15