Over at That Eurovision Site the team will be ranking national finals throughout the season. The next selection that the team have taken a closer look at was Festivali I Këngës 62. Festivali I Këngës will select the Eurovision representative for Albania.
Who is taking part in Festivali I Këngës 62?
There are 31 artists taking part in Festivali I Këngës 62 . The 31 artists taking part are as follows:
| Artist | Entry |
| Stivi Ushe | “Askush Si Ty” |
| Besa Kokëdhima | “Zemrën n’dorë” |
| Mal Retkoceri | “Çmendur” |
| Eldis Arnjeti | “Një Kujtim” |
| Shpat Deda | “S’mund Të Fitoj Pa Ty” |
| Jehona Ponari | “Evol” |
| PeterPan Quartet | “Edhe Një Herë” |
| Festina Mejzini | “Melos” |
| Kastro Zizo | “2073” |
| Luan Durmishi | “Përsëritja” |
| Melodajn Mancaku | “Nuk Jemi Ne” |
| Olsi Ballta | “Unë” |
| Andi Tanko | “Herë Pas Here” |
| Sergio Hajdini | “Uragan” |
| Santino De Bartolo | “Dua Të Rri Me Ty” |
| Olimpia Smajlaj | “Asaj” |
| Big Basta & Vesa Lum | “Mbinatyrale” |
| Elsa Lila | “Mars” |
| Jasmina Hako | “Ti” |
| Michela Paluca | “Për Veten” |
| Anduel Kovaci | “Nan” |
| Irma Lepori | “Më prit” |
| Eden Baja | “Ajër” |
| Erina & The Elementals | “Jetën n’Ska” |
| Kleansa Susaj | “Pikturë” |
| Arsi Bako | “Zgjohu” |
| Tiri Gjoci | “Në ëndërr” |
| Besa Krasniqi | “Esenciale” |
| Bledi Kaso | “Çdo Gjë Mbaroi” |
| Troy Band | “Horizonti i ëndrrave” |
| Martina Serreqi | “Vetëm Ty” |
Who are our overall top 3 of Festivali I Këngës 62?
We ranked the songs taking part in Festivali I Këngës 62 using a 1-31 ranking. 1 being our favourite song, 31 being our least favourite song. We then calculated the average of all our rankings. The top 3 with the lowest averages are as follows.
Third: “Nan” by Anduel Kovaçi ( Average: 7.00)
Second: “Përsëritja” by Luan Durmishi (Average: 6.40)
First: “Ti” by Jasmina Hako (Average: 2.40)
What did some of our team members have to say about their favourite songs from Festivali I Këngës 62?
Angus: 1st Place – Luan Durmishi – “Përsëritj
It’s an experimental marriage of multiple genres, starting with a Kraftwerk-esque sound and staging before including dramatic and cutting strings, vocals that switch from spoken word to screaming and back again, and so much more. It is a song that demands your attention and, through (its thematically accurate) repetition, space in your memory
Rory: 1st Place – Stivi Ushe – “Askush Si Ty”
Stivi may have performed first in the festival, but hey he was able to clear the entire field within minutes of the show starting. This song has a perfect blend of mid-tempo ethnic ballad and traditional pop, and coupled with Stivi’s emotive voice, this creates a dramatic Balkan-style ballad that packs a punch and makes a fantastic impression. I would love it if others would apreciate his vocal capabilities, which FiK does tend to recognise, but whether the Albanian public sees that remains to be seen.
Jazzi: 1st Place – Jasmina Hako – Tí
My favourite song in this year’s Festivali I Këngës is Tí by Jasmina Hako. This song has a soulful, jazzy edge to it that I really enjoy. Jazz isn’t a genre we hear too much in Eurovision in general let alone from Albania. I feel this could be revamped into something really fun and enjoyable for Malmö. Jasmina is a good performer and really sells the song as well, this song is fun and you can tell she is having fun with it on stage as well. Out of all the Festivali I Këngës songs this is one of the ones with the most personality I feel, and that would come over well with a Eurovision audience in my opinion.
Albania’s Eurovision Journey
In 2004, Albania made their debut into the Eurovision Song Contest with Anjeza Shahini with “Image of You”, which placed 7th in the final. Since their debut, Albania has participated 19 times, and made the final 10 times, with their best result in 2012 where Rona Nishliu placed 5th with “Suus”.
In 2023, Albina Kelmendi and her family represented Albania at the Contest in Liverpool with their song “Duje”. Performing in the second semi-final, the six-piece group qualified for the final. At the close of the voting in the final, Albania finished in 22nd place with a total of 76 points. Of these, 16 points came from the juries, whilst 59 came from the televote.
Who would you like to see represent Albania in Malmö? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky for all things Albania at Eurovision 2024!
News Source: That Eurovision Site
Photo Credit: RTSH
Euan T