Albania ALBANIA 2019 - Jonida Maliqi - Ktheju tokës

[lavieenrose]

I wasn't feeling the winning song in the studio version, but the Albanian orchestra (as ever) were awesome and really lifted the song up high. My problem with the studio version was it left me feeling kind of cold during huge chunks of it (too icy), but on stage it's a spectacle, and the verses have more atmosphere. Just overall it's better. I could actually connect. Her vocals perhaps aren't as strong, but the little struggles give it more of a human touch that I don't mind. It's a very Albanian choice for sure. I was really hesitant with Ktheju tokës as I thought there were multiple better songs in the selection. I can totally see why it won though, and it's quite quickly growing on me. Maybe that curtain dress helped as I do like a bit of Albanian couture (I was getting flashbacks to 2012). I like the way Jonida performs the song with those hypnotic movements. The only thing i'd say is that it needs to be stronger in the closing moments. Each live performance I feel like the energy fades towards the end. Otherwise it's great and I was wrong to throw this very Albanian sounding song so quickly under the bus (actually I don't think I was too horrible, just more like "gee... I don't know about this"). Anyway, go slay it my fave Eurovision country Fik was top notch as usual, even with the sound guy playing pranks.


A moment of silence though for Artemisa & Febi. With all respect to Dilan because I loved his song and it gave me life, but Dilan 4th and Artemisa & Febi 14th out of 14......? Four songs I loved in this final and Karma by far came highest of them. I don't understand Albanians sometimes, but oh well.

I was actually thinking i'd wait until the revamp as i'm still feeling kinda mixed with it, though swaying towards more positive feelings overall. I'd give probably a 6 or 7 for now. I'll be kind and go 7 with the live performance in mind.

Cosigning every word of this (wow, that's a lot of words to cosign, but then again, it is Kai and me)

 

[AlekS]

Demi Lovato in a wig with a good song receives 7 points from me, gonna revise my points after revamp.

ps. I can't at these jurors (though it was expectable).
lol @ grandpa being handsy to the young host. He & people who wrote this script would have been crucified in the US.

 

[JSSArcos]

This music is definitely very Albanian, and I like it, the sounds and scenery have to improve a lot, although the Albanian orchestra was very good ... But overall it's an excellent beginning of the ESC season, I like it a lot of "Vibe" that this music that brings me (mainly of the refrain), and I think it can grow on me ! For now 8 points.

I did not see this live, but this would be my TOP 3, maybe "dua ta besoj" was my favorite (as it was last ) , I also liked "Leyla " and the band "Alar Band"

 

[QwaarJet]

And so what...I see pointless screaming in both entries..

I just hope they won't translate this into English and put some pathetic lyrics about diaspora..

However they won't qualify, like Aurela Gace didn't,...

At least Aurela Gace had character and I liked vocals, also electric guitar..

This has "flop" written all over it,...it is 41st at betting odds and

Regarding corrupted FiK jury...well i better stop here.. I'm from Balkans, i know better than you for sure..

And I can't believe I still go on your nerves that much, after all those years!!

The point I was making with Rona is she gave Albania their best ever result and so her opinion is worth something, and that she is young. I was taking your "corrupt 70 year old man" theory and disproving it.

As for qualification, you, me or anyone else has zero idea of how well this will do. We literally have nothing compare it to, and we haven't had the revamp. The odds are also meaningless at this stage.

And finally, why are you making it personal? I didn't even look at the name before responding. My problem was with the opinion, not the person who posted it.

 

[Schlagerman1]

Albania has once again, sent a song with a slight ethnic rock sound and a good singer. And I do like it, not love it though. The instrumentation is beautiful, but I does not fully feel to understand or get a feeling towards what the song is about (I will look up the lyrics in a bit though, but I try to listen to it as if it was on the ESC-night for the average viewer). I think that this song needs a stronger rock-arrangement to make more appeal to average viewers. I am not sure if it needs to change to English, but I guess if they decide to do it, it might help as well in may. But a decent start of the 2019-season, bring it on Tel Aviv!

 

[carl1]

Not feeling this one at all, imo rather dated. Don't think Albania will repeat this year's success.

 

[Ezio]

Contender for Barbara Dex award.

How did Albania do with wailing divas in the past? Or how do wailing divas do in Eurovision in general? Not very good at all.

The positive: ethnic and mystical, actually is what I think would bring songs into contention next year (Sagittarius theme)

The negative: I decided to go with my first impression and not with my second, third, twentieth impression of a song. And the first impression is, that I would skip this song on the compilation. It's artsy, it's crafty and it's still boring. The staging is a non-event. This act needs a lot of effort, a better haircut and a better dress. And maybe a different song. Translating this song into English will likely make it worse.

I compare this song to Albania 2018, Greece 2018 and Ukraine 2016 and it falls short to all three of them.

I don't hate it though, it is not terrible. I give it 6 points.

 

[blartashura]

So happy with her winning this year and so pumped to see how she will manage everything until May.
She was definitely the best choice this year, with a very good song and she performed quite well live. Also can't wait to see how she will evolve her style, queen knows how to serve looks.
Can't remember the last time I was happy with the Albanian choice, this time I have a great feeling about this. Go Jonida!!!

 

[ZoboCamel]

How did Albania do with wailing divas in the past? Or how do wailing divas do in Eurovision in general? Not very good at all.

I know you're going for a leading question there, but the answer to both questions is "actually quite well, if they have a good song." Albania's best-ever result came from Rona Nishliu, who is arguably a "wailing diva", and as for your second question Jamala won the whole damn contest in 2016.

Not that I'm saying this will come anywhere near winning, mind you... in current state, I'm guessing it'll be borderline for qualification one way or another. But you can't exactly count the type of singer against it when that same type of singer has worked wonders at Eurovision in the past.

 

[Yoozek]

I love this! This is such a great revamp material. Atm the mp3 sounds like she has recorded in her home's corridor. And she can't sing it properly (I'd cut her out anyways and made it Nocturne vol. 2)...but damn Albania is getting better at this. First Mall and then this one.

Don't you dare switch the language to English.

 

[Schlagerman1]

I read the translation now and I got the song, it is really powerful and has a good message...but it does get a little lost in the live performance. If they sing in Albanian (which it seems they will do) then they really have to find a way to make the viewers understand what it is about. Sure, the commentators will of course explain, but it is better to be super clear with the message than just sing randomly in a language probably just a few million people will understand...

 

[aef]

Not my personal cup of tea but quite an interesting choice! It could do quite well with the help of the diaspora... (qualification is possible). 4 points for now

 

[BernadetteCydonia]

seriously, every time I remember watching at least a little bit of FiK, the winner ended up singing Albanian in Eurovision not sure what kind of sign is this but still

oh hey this still stands. so now I'm kinda glad I had to endure this random 2,5 hours of too many ads, too many intervals and too many acts that had to sing again.

This is an alright song, it did not click with me amazingly at the first listen but I do like it, and how intense, captivating and ethno it is. It might not be an earworm, but surely a decent choice by the jurors - if not Mirud, then they at least did not dun goof and chose the favourite of not only us fans, but also the audience (did you guys pay attention at that audience cheer everytime Jonida got high points?? ). Albania is truly improving

Just praying for a standout revamp to wipe the floor with other competitors and y'all won't be able to worry about its chances no more!

 

[Ezio]

I know you're going for a leading question there, but the answer to both questions is "actually quite well, if they have a good song." Albania's best-ever result came from Rona Nishliu, who is arguably a "wailing diva", and as for your second question Jamala won the whole damn contest in 2016.

Both of them brought in something unheard of before and captivating though.

 

[BernadetteCydonia]

You mean Ktheju tokës isn't at least captivating?

 

[QwaarJet]

Both of them brought in something unheard of before and captivating though.

To be honest, I haven't heard anything quite like this at Eurovision before, and I found it utterly captivating on first listen. As did my mum by the way, who is 63, hates 99% of the Eurovision songs I put in front of her, and usually likes up-tempo songs. In fact her record of liking ESC songs that are going to do well is far better than mine, so much so that I've put (successful) bets on, based on her personal views.

Of course, all this could be irrelevant if they do an "Albania" on the revamp.

 

[Mrm]

Reaction in the poll here is very bad actually...when the song has the most 10s and 8s it is the worst sign..then almost nobody votes it in reality..

 

[Realest]

Robin and Frans had the most 0s and still were Top10 in the Televoting.

 

[Mainshow]

12 points

Albania is usally hit or miss for me (mostly "miss") but I simply adore this song after having listened to it for the very first time.
It's mysterious, beautiful and haunting. That's how an ethno-ballad has to sound like and why I love Eurovision! - Don't get me wrong, I love some casual generic bops like Cyprus 2018 or Sweden 2017 but I find songs like Albania 2019 more captivating in the end (same applies to entries such as Croatia 2009, Montenegro 2015 or Bosnia and Herzegovina 2006). This is why I love Eurovision! If I want to listen to catchy pop tunes, I can turn on the radio or listen to Swedish Spotify lists.

This song is so emotional. The beginning is extremely eerie and beautiful. The minor electronic elements lift the song to another level. The lyrics are mesmerising and haunting as well and Jonida is a hell of a vocalist! What an impressive vocal performance! - I am glad they will keep the song in Albanian and tbh, I can see it doing well in May. It will not be a huge fan favourit and no one will care about this entry before or after Eurovision probably (aka radio stations or the general public) but it will blow away some viewers on the nights of the semis and the final. - As long as Albania won't destroy the song's essence, I can totally see this qualify effortlessly.

What a bombastic way to kick-off the new Eurovision season!
(amazing news from Armenia & Cyprus as well as a beautiful and very unique entry from Albania!)

 

[SaladBreak]

I can't tell if I like it or not. I think I would like it if the quality was better.