At long last, Eurovision season is heating up! We’ve known the identities of several acts for months now, but actual songs have been very slow to materialise. However, that’s all changed as we now know two of the entries which will be performed in Lisbon next May.
They are Albania’s Eugent Bushpepa with “Mall” and France’s Madame Monsieur with “Mercy”. This means that we can start choosing favourites. Which act do you like best?
You can listen to both tracks and watch our video reactions below. Then vote in our poll. Choose wisely, you can only vote ONE time. Voting is only open for a short period. The poll closes later this evening, Sunday 28 January — just before the Czech Republic and Spain reveal their songs on Monday.
We will then relaunch the poll to include Martina Barta and Manel Navarro’s successors.
Eurovision 2018: Our top two so far
Albania: Eugent Bushpepa “Mall”
Eugent Bushpepa’s “Mall” saw off competition from 21 other songs to emerge victorious at Festivali i Këngës 56. It breaks with Albania’s fondness for sending big lunged divas with massive ballads. Following two consecutive non-qualifications, the Balkan nation will be hoping Eugent can take them back to the main show.
“Mall” proved to be overwhelmingly popular during FiK, which is all well and good. But can it actually succeed at Eurovision? Of course, that’s presuming that “Mall” actually makes the journey to Lisbon. Albania has a habit of sending songs that are virtually unrecognisable to their FiK incarnations.
France: Madame Monsieur “Mercy”
After years of internal selections, France returned to a national final format for 2018. Over the course of three weeks, 18 acts became one as Madame Monsieur emerged as the inaugural winners of Destination Eurovision. “Mercy” comfortably won the televote with its tale of immigration touching the hearts of the French public.
But will its message have the same emotional resonance with Eurovision viewers? After all, the panel of international jurors only ranked it third in Saturday’s final. Regardless, it already appears to be a firm fan favourite within the Eurovision bubble.
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE EUROVISION 2018 ACT SO FAR? VOTE NOW!
[polldaddy poll=9927248]This poll is now closed. Check back later for the results.
Mall for me – I like it so much and it is different from the usual same old, same old and his voice!!!
Mall the 1……. all the [email protected][email protected]
Mall Eugent Bushbeba
Mall” no.1 for sure
Mall eugent bushpepa
“Mall” no.1 for sure
This poll brought me to tears…with laughter. They are not even in the same level, that Albanian song is replete with musical cliches, it’s nauseating. I guess the result of this poll will indicate what the musical tastes of people here in this site. It’s just so amusing to watch. I guess there are 4 types of people here: one who likes overtly musical cliches & camp (I’m indifferent to these people as they will never change their, uhm, questionable tastes), one who likes a song based on what it does to their nether regions & hormones (can be tolerated,… Read more »
Then you must be in a 5th type lmao.
Eugent Bushpepa-Mall
Right now France has the recent winner advantage, but once we have more songs coming in I think that Albania has a larger standout potential than France. Eugent’s vocals make Mall easy to remember. The problem with his song is that it’s 4 and a half minutes long, so he should probably speed up the 3 minute version release and not wait until March. Euro fans can become bored by the 4:30 version and start liking 3:00 minute songs that might not be better, but are quicker to listen through.
This poll is definitely corrupted . Mercy was 1000 votes away to Mall at 6Pm and now Mall 100 votes away. How Albania can pass France so quickly with 1000 votes late if this poll is ont wrong and corrupted ? Just see the last comments why seems to be writeb by bots
Writen by bots*
It is not possible to hack the poll, and you can only vote once per IP (just saying)
Why not when voice and lyric of mall are brilliant
Before people make accusations of fraud/rigging/hacking/bots etc etc, they should take a look at what artists are sharing content.
Artists proactively promoting themselves on social media does not equal fraud.
Some artists have devoted fanbases, accept that and quit dreaming up conspiracy theories!
There are many Albanians in this comment section, as you can see by their usernames. That’s an advantage for Mall. However, Mercy has just been selected, which is also an advantage for France. It’s a 50/50 competition, and it really looks like that judging by the fandom’s reaction.
Albania of course !!!
Ai eshte fitues. Por dhe do te jete i pari. Eugent Buspepa.MALL
Mercy was first a long time with 1500 votes (75 % ) And Eugent only 500vote and now Eugent is first ! I’m so surprised ! 🙁
Mall.Eugent Bushpepa
Mall.
Both very good and quite possibly the best start to a reveal season we have ever had! I like both of the songs a lot, but personally I thought that Eugent’s performance was better than Madame Monsieur’s. Point goes to Albania from me.
Eugent Bushpepa-Mall?
Eugent Bushpepa-Mall?
Eugent Bushpepa-Mall?
Eugent Bushpepa – Mall
Eugent Bushpepa – Mall
Both are good quality songs but I prefer Albania because of Eugents vocals.
France:5 /10
Albania:10/10
Eugent
btw Martina Barta (Czech Republic 2017) is competing in German Idol 🙂 https://www.rtl.de/cms/dsds-2018-martina-barta-bricht-nach-ihrem-auftritt-in-traenen-aus-4140806.html
“Mercy” for sure <3 <3
Eugent Bushpepa “Mall” ( “Mercy”)
rankings
1. France (9.9/10)
2. Albania (6.2/10)
I think Mercy is the best one out of the two, however if Albania had sent Piedestal, then they probably both would’ve had the same ranking. Mall is a generally great song, but Mercy has the touch to it that makes it sound amazing.
Ollbenia for sher.
Albaniaa!
Ok songs, but nothing special. For me better is Albania. Prediction for Albania, some chance for final. France from 18 to 24 place in final.
Mall is the best one…?
The Albanian song from bushpepa is so heart felt with meaning behind it. He sings from the heart and I would definately purchase this song. The French song is okay but it didn’t touch my heart like the Albanian song. So come on Albania 2018 I’m right behind you at the euro vision x
Mall nr :1
Mercy it’s a nice entertaining song,but Mall is quality his vocal is something unusual I can listen to it all day long.So Albania.
Mall
Eugen Bushpepa – Mall
Eugent Bushpepa – Mall
Mall
Mercy is a nice song that i would not mind to listen to when i am writing on the computer, eating at a restaurant etc etc, but Mall and Eugent Bushpepa send me to an another dimension.. So i pick “Mall”
I hope France keeps their song in French! EBU should put subtitles anyway.
Last year a portuguese company (i guess) created a web page with translation of APD. http://amarpelos2.com/
Average songs so far. I’m not really a fan of them but of the two, France would have the edge. for me.
Neither so far…
A flop & a twenty-something
My top 9 os spain selection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCfTv8CiNeA
Mercy has English lyrics and it’s more easy to remember ! Mall it’s more dramatic and beautiful song !
I like both but I prefer France’s entry. We’re off to a good start! Good luck from UK
Well this year’s Eurovision is definitely going to be strong as some people predicted earlier. I only do not have any favourites in Malta and Armenia, other countries look promising so far.
1. France 10/10
2. Albania 8.5/10
While the there’s not many National Final Songs I’ve heard that I’m loving so far (although there’s a number I haven’t listened to, most prominently A Dal, and there’s still big hitters like Melodifestivalen to come) like Many people I’m really happy and surprised with these two songs, and with the artists we know of so far. If viewers and juries of national selections across Europe I’m hoping we might get less duds than normal. Obviously we need to just wait and see though
For me it’s “Mercy” without doubt! I really like Albania, it was my favourite song in FiK. We started the Eurovision season very well.
I also love both.
1) Albania (8,5)
2) France (8.0)
Both are good quality songs but I prefer Albania because of Eugents vocals. And both songs will be further tested, Albanian song has not been through public voting yet and the French song polarized international judges (Iveta gave the duo zero).
This comment would have been valid had ‘Eva’ won too!! Iveta gave 0 to that one too
Iveta clearly tried to sabotage the voting. She already trolled Eurovision with waving disputed region’s flag back in 2016. It was a big mistake by French television to invite her as a member of the international jury I think. Her voting was the worst. She gave 6 to Louka and 0 to Mercy and Eva. What a joke.
I’m not really a fan of either of them, but France has the potential to grow on me.
1. France 6/10
2. Albania 4/10
Those are two great songs chosen so far. Amazing!
1. France 9/10
2. Albania 7.5/10
And hopefully Spain will pick either “Tu canción” or “Arde” and Czech Republic will pick “Lie to me”. I love all three songs. So far I’m really happy with this year’s contest. 😀
No comment. I’m crlbrating we have two great songs!