The Wiwi Jury reveals their favourites in Albania’s Festivali i Këngës 58

Tomorrow night, Thursday 19 December, the long-running Albanian song contest Festivali i Këngës will kick off its 58th edition. Over three nights, 20 acts will compete, and the winner will go on to represent Albania at Eurovision 2020. But who should win that ticket to Rotterdam?

The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — has listened to all the studio versions of the competing songs. We’ve each listed our top five songs from FiK58 along with a review of our absolute favourite. Where there any surprises in this year’s line-up? Read on to find out!

Antranig

1. Elvana Gjata – “Me tana”

Who are you and what have you done with FiK? Usually there’s one or two decent songs in Albania but this year there’s about 15. That said, there’s still one song standing heads and shoulders above the competition. Elvana Gjata brings something fresh to Albania — transitioning from ethereal to banging. Also major props for “Me tana” being the first-ever FiK entry written this side of the industrial revolution.

2. Wendi Mancaku – “Ende”
3. Arilena Ara – “Shaj”
4. Gena – “Shqiponja e lirë”
5. Era Rusi – “Eja merre”

Barnabas

1. Valon Shehu – “Kutia e Pandorës”

Eugent Bushpepa is back, and he’s back with a bang! The rock maestro who represented the eagle nation back in Lisbon is competing at FiK as a composer this time, and he has put together a powerful symphonic metal anthem for the raspy-voiced Valon. We may have been wishing for rock acts like Floor Jansen or Within Temptation to compete at Eurovision, but we might still get that kind of musical geniality from Albania in Rotterdam! The song operates with a killer riff, keeping up a tempo that even excuses the missing guitar solo (which would have been in there in a longer version perhaps). Now all I need is the juries not to screw it up on the big time. Rock on, Valon (and Eugent)!

2. Kanita Suma – “Ankth”
3. Renis Gjoka – “Loja”
4. Eli Fara & Stresi – “Bohemë”
5. Arilena Ara – “Shaj”

Lucy

1. Aldo Bardhi – “Melodi”

I’m absolutely here for this complete bop with a soul/funk flair! When listening to this for the first time, I shan’t lie, I was moving. It got me instantly obsessed with its vibe and the “ani, ani, ani, ani” hook pulled me in further. Throw in the perfect instrumental fling past the chorus and I’m sold. It’s also worth mentioning Aldo came second in The X Factor Albania and also this year took part in Kenga Magjike 2019. Thus, Aldo is not shy of the camera, and he puts on one hell of a performance. I cannot wait to see him break out the moves to “Melodi”.

2. Bojken Lako – “Malaseen”
3. Elvana Gjata – “Me tana”
4. Arilena Ara – “Shaj”
5. Era Rusi – “Eja merre”

Sebastian

1. Elvana Gjata – “Me tana”

All aboard the Elvana hype train. “Me tana” is a hark back to what made Eurovision great –  a foreign language, visually appealing, ethno-banger which introduces a cultural sound to a non-familiar audience. In a national selection which can be often criticised for sounding dated (cue FiK guitars), Evlana brings a youthful fire and reinvigorates the Albanian sound. She finally brings a modern pop sensibility. The appeal is more in the production and instrumental, but no doubt Elvana’s stage presence will be a welcome addition.

2. Arilena Ara – “Shaj”
3. Era Russi – “Eja merre”
4. Gena – “Shqiponja e lirë”
5. Aldo Bardhi – “Melodi”

Luis

1. Valon Shehu – “Kutia e Pandorës”

An epic rock anthem for Albania? Yes, please. “Identitet” needs to be avenged, and “Kutia e Pandorës” might be the song to do it. This song ticks all the boxes of what this genre demands, and many times success doesn’t come by innovating, but by mastering a formula. Valon’s rich and deep voice fits perfectly the vertiginous instrumental, and it gives this entry a sense of strength and aplomb. I can’t wait to see the Festivali i Këngës orchestra playing this song: it’s bound to be a bombastic performance.

2. Elvana Gjata – “Me tana”
3. Era Rusi – “Eja merre”
4. Eli Fara & Stresi – “Bohemë”
5. Bojken Lako – “Malaseen”

Esma

1. Elvana Gjata – “Me tana”

This year, Albania is giving us some very strong entries to choose from. Yet, there is one fan favourite that really stands out in the 58th edition of Festivali i Këngës and it’s Elvana Gjata with her song “Me tana”. This song combines the Albanian language and culture beautifully and you can hear that there is an amazing production behind it. “Me tana” has great potential to do well with the Eurovision audience and juries!

2. Kanita Suma – “Ankth”
3. Arilena Ara – “Shaj”
4. Wendi Mancaku – “Ende”
5. Era Russi – “Eja merre”

Åri

1. Valon Shehu – “Kutia e Pandorës”

The Bushpepa-penned progressive symphonic metal track “Kutia e Pandorës” is coming to take FiK by storm. In an edition with many dull and generic songs, this one is honestly leagues above the rest (even though I love several other songs in this edition). All that’s left for me is to hope that the jury will be a metal-friendly one.

2. Kamela Islamaj – “Më ngjyros”
3. Bojken Lako – “Malaseen”
4. Renis Gjoka – “Loja”
5. Elvana Gjata – “Me tana”

William

1. Elvana Gjata – “Me tana”

Elvana isn’t just giving him her all, she’s giving her all to us. “Me Tana” is an ethno-banger that showcases the rhythm and sounds of the region while giving Elvana enough space to show off her intoxicating voice. The transition from the meditative intro to the sensual verses is perfect. My two reservations about the song are that the instrumentals drag on a bit and that there isn’t yet a memorable climax. Thankfully it’s currently 40 seconds too long for Eurovision. The edit will, no doubt, make the song tighter and more compact. And hopefully they’ll throw in a MOMENT toward the end. Do that and Albania will be on to a very competitive song for ESC.

2. Era Rusi – “Eja merre”
3. Gena – “Shqiponja e lirë”
4. Kanita Suma – “Ankth”
5. Bojken Lako – “Malaseen”

Erdi

1. Elvana Gjata – “Me tana”

For years, Albanian Eurovision fans have been waiting for Elvana to represent Albania at Eurovision — and now is definitely the right time. If Elvana wins, it will change the way Albanian artists see Festivali i Kenges and may attracted even bigger names. “Me Tana” is a bop and this is what Eurovision fans need the most. Elvana has the talent and experience to represent Albania in the best way possible.

2. Kanita Suma – “Ankth”
3. Era Rusi – “Eja merre”
4. Arilena Ara – “Shaj”
5. Albërie Hadërgjonaj – “Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua”

Tom

1. Kanita Suma – “Ankth”

Albania, I take my hat off to you – what an incredible year of songs! My winner is Kanita Suma with her incredible power ballad, “Ankth”. Even though I do not understand the language, I can feel her emotion, her pain, her passion and her drive building through the song. This song doesn’t need any backing dancers or flashy effects — it is pure, raw and an emotional roller-coaster. I see a spotlight, I see her alone and I see her winning FiK58 – I love it!

2. Wendi Mancaku – “Ende”
3. Arilena Ara – “Shaj”
4. Elvana Gjata – “Me Tana”
5. Aldo Bardhi – “Melodi”

Robyn

1. Valon Shehu – “Kutia e Pandorës”

Maybe it’s my teenage metalhead phase reemerging, but I love what’s going on with “Kutia e Pandorës”. There’s some nice crunchy rock happening, with orchestral interjections reminiscent of Metallica’s symphony orchestra album crossed with a 1970s Bond score. And then there’s that groovy 1970s disco bassline. On top of it all is Valon’s enticing rock growl, bringing menace and gravitas to the performance. I’m ready for this Pandora’s box to be opened in Rotterdam.

2. Bojken Lako – “Malaseen”
3. Era Rusi – “Eja merre”
4. Elvana Gjata – “Me tana”
5. Kamela Islamaj – “Më ngjyros”

Florian

1. Elvana Gjata – “Me tana”

“Me tana” might be the most promising song to enter FiK in recent years. While past Albanian entries were often given a refresh before the contest, Elvana Gjata delivers an extremely contemporary piece of music. Its striking ethnic touch from the Albanian language could be played in clubs, at Eurovision parties and would be a great way to begin the new decade for Albania.

2. Era Russi – “Eja merre”
3. Arilena Ara – “Shaj”
4. Albërie Hadërgjonaj – “Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua”
5. Kanita Suma – “Ankth”

What do you think? What are your favourites from FiK58? Who should win the ticket to Rotterdam? Tell us your thoughts below!

Read more Albania Eurovision news here