The Country that Rejected its Biggest Pop Star for Eurovision (twice)

[@jbdloucks]

It’s the fact that both Shkodre Elektronike and Arilena Ara hail from the same city in Albania and both were the ones to deny Elvana the FiK win. The city of Shkodër is a curse for Elvana.

[@IABITVpresents]

@@jbdloucks Elvana now has Shkodraphobia

[@GerdSien]

Summary: Shkodra city is not just electronic, it's also Shkodra Atomike (atomic) 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Xxxxxxirieid]

Difference is that arilena actually rigged it lmfaooo

[@justasbuivydas6037]

Agree with everything here, except when you said that Shkodra needs dancers. NOOOOO. All cameras must be on Beatrice 💃

[@TessCoughlan-h4m]

Agree. No dancers. The wonderful contrast between Beatriçe and Köle is part of the attraction of this song. Don’t dilute them with irrelevant dancers PLEASE!!!

[@edisonlight2901]

@@TessCoughlan-h4m YESSS ive been saying to leave them alone with some nice looking screen things and their drum pad and they're chill

[@emelenekennedy5661]

I am obsessed with Zjerm and think it will do well but I no longer trust my judgement of ESC after being obsessed with Ulveham last year and thinking it had a chance of winning.

[@marsukarhu9477]

Good point.... they will qualify comfortably, but the juries might kill it?

[@lenudnir163]

I have the same feeling, I loved Ulveham, I think Zjerm is even better but my music taste is... unique xd

[@VemonousChomik14]

​@@lenudnir163if you like both Ulvelham and Zjerm your music taste is very good

[@gifdojosuke7483]

Me too

[@Jai05]

Difference is Zjerm comes from Eastern Europe. They’re the ones allowed to do folk in Eurovision and succeed

[@tmiletticc]

no shade karnival is kind of giving shein slomo

[@icyflame716]

And zjerm is giving Temu Keiino

[@EurovisionFrankie]

​@@icyflame716 what r u yapping about 💀

[@icyflame716]

@EurovisionFrankie albania selfsabotaging themselves at Eurovision.

[@EurovisionFrankie]

@@icyflame716 before you do that please get better ears 💗

[@icyflame716]

@ ah yes, i was told that last year too when I said ulveham would flop.

[@ernestobordon8731]

Maybe Elavana needs a better song. Albania made a good selection

[@Some_Random_Herkku]

yes

[@tanktheplayer4275]

Elavana had a great song, Albania would get their best place yet and find a big televote for this. Now they probably won’t even qualify😂

[@Some_Random_Herkku]

@@tanktheplayer4275 ur right, but if elvana sent a song of UMK level, would have exploded

[@Hale.]

@@tanktheplayer4275great song? Another generic pop with a girl that dancing with it? Just because she’s famous doesn’t means that it will have do the “best result ever for albania” Especially after last year where a lot of girl pop flopped hard like malta, austria and georgia

[@Specktor-99]

If basic pop song with cringe spanish lyrics is a great song for you idk💀💀💀 @tanktheplayer4275

[@esc.sverige]

What’s the point of choosing Elvana just because it’s Elvana? Her song was an extremely basic Spanish pop diva song that I’ve heard a million times before. Zjerm is so much better. It’s an entry that really stands out, it’s an entry that fits Albania so well in Eurovision and that will make them qualify. 😊

[@MostlyTiredVids]

bingo. Elvana didn't stand out - we've already had so many girlbops and elvana wasnt even guaranteed to qualify if she did go

[@Excamtrik]

avec Elvane ils étaient presque sur d'aller en finale, puis de complètement rester anonyme en finale, mais ils sont sur d'y être, Zjerm y 'aura toujours cette part de risque même si en finale elle se démarquera, cela reste un choix délicat, mais fantastique !

[@GospodinNelson]

Zjerm is not better for Eurovision lol

[@icyflame716]

Elvana would 100% be a better Eurovision entry. Zjerm is just Keiino from Temu. It’s a mess.

[@lenudnir163]

@@icyflame716 At least compare it to Ulveham or something folky

[@zebrother]

at the end of the day, I always prefer more cultural/ethnic music over generic pop. glad they won

[@cosmicvelvet3222]

i prefer the opposite

[@JonasGrossMusic]

As someone who‘s in a long-term relationship with an Albanian, I can say: Shkodre Elektronike is unique and that‘s what get you a vote. Albania always looks out for the special act, not the mainstream one. My personal favourite is still Jonida Maliqi.

[@Ruinwyn]

That is the correct way to make the local choice. Something the locals like and find interesting. Even if it doesn't do great in ESC it is likely still more interesting and memorable than a generic pop song that scrapes to finals. There is nothing wrong in with the pop song, perfectly fine radio single or album filler, but there isn't anything special about it either.

[@stefaniafalvo1365]

Did you remember Ireland last year? Bambie was in last places for ages but I saw that that song was powerful. To me Zjerm is a dark horse. In general I can say that I couldn' t believe my ears when they started singing. I was totally in loop with this song since the first monent. I literally love it and I am discovering all their production on Spotify and they are great. I didn't know they live in Italy. If I find them in concert I go to see it. Thank you Albania for giving us this gift. Compliments from Iraly to your festival with live orchestra like Sanremo. Zjerm is in my mind now and forever. ❤🇮🇹❤

[@castlemind26]

anyone else afraid this is gonna end up like Fulenn, Eaea, and Ulveham

[@anabltc]

Could happen, but this is already more memorable and authentic than Elvana's song. They made the right choice, just need to revamp it for ESC. After that, what happens happens 🤷🏼‍♀

[@connorjohnnn]

It could do. However in the case of Eaea and Ulveham it was those live performances that really sold people. Whereas with Zjerm A LOT of people already liked it before the live performance.

[@esc_fan_channel_no.11037]

It's very unpredictable with this one. You could ofc compare it to Fulenn, but also to Soarele si Luna, also to Zari, and also to Shum even, from Top to bottom 5, everything is possible. What I wil say is, that a general trend seems to be that upbeat eastern european ethnic songs tend to do better than mid-tempo western european ethnic songs, so I wouldn't worry toooo much about Ulveham's and Eaea's results

[@noagaselga3345]

Zjerm is a million times more accessible than these songs, but even if it will end up like them (it won't) selecting them was the right thing to do. We can't exclude entire genres from Eurovision because countries are afraid to not do well (as if it mattered)

[@earhin_eraendhir]

I'm not saying Carnival is generic. But Zjerm is so, so, SO much more original, bright and mesmerising that if I had to choose between those 2 songs, I wouldn't hesitate a second. But I should say there were other contestants who I saw as potential finalists. Still, I'm really happy to see that Albania has chosen the most original and unique entry.

[@zanabancishakarna]

No karnaval is generic

[@zondergezicht]

this will forever be my fav underdog story

[@ItsTheBaguette]

rim tim tagi dim?

[@sirena3470]

​@WolfyTotalDrama Baby Lasagna didn't compete against the biggest pop star of his country, he pretty much had no rivals at Croatian National Final. That's why Shkodra Elektronike's win is more impressive as they competed against huge Albanian stars like Elvana and Adrit

[@chai_ste]

Shout out if you knew Mad World was originally by Tears for Fears 🙌

[@marianmeletlidiscrap]

honestly my favorite version of the song

[@earhin_eraendhir]

Mmmm... Another dancing queen vs original and authentic project that definitely won't get unnoticed. I'm totally satisfied with albanian contestant. And wish Shkorda Elektronike all the best and at least top-10th place in ESC final.

[@IABITVpresents]

Factual error: Elvana's first FiK wasn't in 2019, it was actually in 2003 (yes, the very first year for which Albania selected for Eurovision), and she didn't even qualify to the final then. Granted, she was like 16 or 18 at the time, therefore haven't established her success in Albania just yet, but yeah

[@lapsijahti]

geez, she's ancient 👵🏻

[@Darko_Milosevski03]

​@lapsijahti well She's almost 40 She's considered already a veteran in the Albanian music industry

[@Iamyouiay]

I agree with everything except the part about the dancers. The girl can own the stage on her own; all she needs is some dynamic staging. I also really like her Kate Bush-inspired approach to the performance-that’s definitely something to build on for Basel. This is the first time in years that I’m consciously choosing to listen to the Albanian entry. Their authenticity won me over; it’s the only way I can explain it.

[@FIVEFIVEFIVE-v1p]

When I first listened to Zjerm, my jaw dropped when the spoken word section came in. Of course I saw it coming that he was going to sing but it still came as such a shock, the shrill contrast (even without knowing the lyrics) is captivating. I think it'll do a Norway 2024 but it's a magnificent piece of art regardless.

[@ar50000]

It could do a "Fullen" 2022.

[@sirena3470]

It could do Shum or Duje and enter into Televote Top 10 too

[@KasperRotkehlchen]

Honestly, I think Zjerm can get into top 10 if it's revamped correctly

[@penguinstrophe]

INDEED!!!!!!

[@kelvinsilveira56]

They said that the song will not be revamped. Maybe the instrumentals will be reworked in some aspects, but the language and the lyrics don't change

[@irinapilipchuk7479]

They don't need any revamp

[@lenudnir163]

@@kelvinsilveira56 They said that they may add 3rd singer

[@catrionacolville2192]

It doesn't need to be revamped. It is the correct version of what it's supposed to be. What would you change about it?

[@ESC_jackqulen]

I have the screenshot of Ardit Çuni beefing with Igli 😂 "you are such a Eurofan that you couldn't even get your hands on a proper ticket"

[@nocri2067]

"he was punished for learning how to sing with a 12th place" 😂😭

[@yankis.]

A classic case of being famous doesn't make you likeable.

[@ashgal19]

I like the idea of focusing on one entry for a video instead of three in one. Are you going to cover Supernova this year? The entries are so good. Dons really paved the way for Latvian artists to seriously consider Eurovision. Also Citi Zeni is back!!!

[@sebastienbis6019]

Hey Gabe! I’m from LATAM and I am planning to go to my first Eurovision this year! Do you think you could maybe make a video of what to expect/do in your first time, as well as any tip/recommendation you can give form your personal experience? Thank you so much!!

[@ctw8097]

love this idea^

[@JenniferHorna]

Yes please!!! Also from Latam but not going to ESC. I'd still like to know as well, just in case

[@Youtubechannel-je9uh]

"It's biggest pop star" Tbh many people hate her as a person (do some research about her past life). In our country separating the art from the artist is hard.

[@JoeBleasdaleReal]

Luan Durmishi walked so Shkodra Elektronike could run. Congrats Albania for selecting something truly unique! ❤🇦🇱

[@don825]

This is an impressively well researched analysis, well done! The sentiment shared by most Albanians is that we don't care how Albania does in Eurovision, we just want to be represented by something that feels authentic and Albanian, and Zjerm is it. Really proud to have something so niche, artistic and authentic representing Albania and the unique dialect and culture of Shkodra this year. By the way, in an interview Shkodra Elektronike hinted that they are working with "another artist" also from Shkodra to revamp their song for the Eurovision version. There are rumours that another artist may replace Kole's spoken part, and that it could be Luiz Ejlli (who represented Albania back in 2006 and is from Shkodra). Just a rumour for now but it will be really interesting to see what they do next.

[@NotShadower]

It’s fine Zjerm was a great song and so was Karnaval, Shkodra Elektronika and Elvana Gjatas Popularity shouldn’t matter

[@alexmg107]

I really love these more in-depth videos into the national finals (even as someone keeping up with them), I definitely wouldn't mind seeing these for the more important/messy NFs with maybe the smaller videos for less exciting national finals and internal selections

[@lauriechan1426]

Sarah bonicci already tried the human staircase...did it flawlessly, and it still didn't work

[@CMA17]

The problems there was the song, running order and the country she represented it

[@CiciMackenzie-m7h]

No it wasn't, the song itself was really bland. ​@CMA17

[@sidritvejseli704]

As a young albanian dude i would like to compliment you for your research concerning elvana's career, crime implications and FiK song. This video is very well written and the research is very well done considering we are a small country and most of this info is in albanian.

[@escgabe]

thank you!!

[@JSGRanks]

I love the new layout, Gabe 👍 It‘s really fun watching you talk about a national final which I watched and remember, and go on to give details about it which I was completely oblivious to until then (The Ardit Çuni tweets for example)

[@Joenight100]

I'm all for more unique stuff. If it is all just the biggest pop in the world everything at the contest would just sound the same, and that's just not interesting to watch or listen to

[@gaming_withmaya]

Great review. 👏👏👏 we love Shkodra Elektronike❤ hugs from Albania

[@zsokapados5197]

What is different between her two attempts that in 2020 it was rigged for Arilena and this time at least she lost fairly. It was fair this time, the two faves were head to head through the whole voting. Albania wanted Zjerm and they got it. A good choice. Elvana would have been also good, but Shkodra is true to Albania's unique sound and culture.

[@User12345fan]

It was not rigged with Arilena, that voice of hers is unparalleled, and the song was great too.

[@alexe9030]

As long as you do a San Marino stand alone episode I’m definitely down for the new format I love a deep dive

[@blyatuber]

Being popular doesn't equal to being good. Happy she lost to a WAAAAAY more original act

[@tanktheplayer4275]

The majority of Eurovision viewers don’t care about orginality most of the time. They care about dancing, having fun and get hyped up, that’s what will trigger a big televote most of the time. Albania was looking to Q, but now they may not.

[@blyatuber]

@tanktheplayer4275 Eurovision truly fell off then

[@tanktheplayer4275]

@blyatuber It has just evovled and modernized to a new public like most things have done through decades. Then it was just songs, now it’s more about party, hype and having fun.

[@cosmicvelvet3222]

unique doesn’t equal to being good either. zjerm is unique and ethnic but in my opinion it’s just bad

[@CiciMackenzie-m7h]

​@@tanktheplayer4275Not even true lmao.

[@Arctures]

I'd hold off on gauging Albania's chances at qualifying this early on because they almost always revamp their selections with the heaviest of hands. What they end up putting on the stage in Basel will likely sound little like what we heard at FIK

[@klausbeqiri3085]

They said they will keep it in Albanian and the song will barely change

[@MintyDragonfly]

I feel like the pop songs and ballads get revamped and always go English which a huge mistake every time, but the more interesting songs with more artistically minded artists at their helm tend to have the power left in their hands, kept in Albanian, and they do a lot better. Mall is still one of my favourites!

[@mjh7236]

To be fair 'Duje' barely changed: they just made the instrumental a bit better. I can't see SE changing it much apart from souping it up a little.

[@TheManInBlueFlames]

In the words of Rafa Ela from the Luxembourg selection, Albania woke up and said "No no no thank you!"

[@sarahenchanted]

I think it'll be a safe qualifier unless they fumble badly with the staging (which is unlikely). The lowest result I can see it getting in the final is around 14th-18th place but I can also see it having a similar effect as Doomsday Blue last year, especially if they make the staging eerie and engaging. I'm not fully sure if Elvanna did what she was accused of but her not going to Eurovision might've been for the best. Those accusations would be a dark cloud and we already have enough of that.

[@RandomVidsforthought]

It's an albania 2019 for me

[@andromeda138]

I'm from Indiana, which is a US state known for cornfields. We have 7 million people, nearly 3 times as many as Albania. I cannot imagine us putting on a competition of this scale. All the smaller countries in Eurovision should be really proud of themselves to be showcasing this much talent every year.

[@Zenigata-san]

Fair point, but you're only reducing the numbers to the population living in the country. In reality, you have about 3 mil living in Albania + 1.5 mil in Kosova + 600k+ in N.Macedonia. So, that's over 5 mil that live in the region alone. And then if you include the diaspora that's at least double that and you end up with a population of about 10-15 mil that identify as Albanians (possibly more). New York City alone has 100k plus Albanians living there. Not exactly "a small entry" like a San Marino, if that makes sense :)

[@777Lxxx]

Don't forget the millions that live in Greece and Turkey too.

[@Zenigata-san]

@ Of course not. They are considered as part of our diaspora. In Greece we have around 500k (rough numbers but likely more than that) and in Turkey they are in the millions, although we have no data to know for sure how many of them speak the language or consider themselves ethnically Albanian.

[@GerdSien]

Elvana's song was just another latino cliche song that we hear from every famous latino artist in the world, a song made just for summer hits. Don't forget that Elvana was one of the artists who cheated in this festival, you could clearly hear her voice in playback, she wasn't singing at all during the chorus, you could see her taking the microphone away from her and the voice was still singing, meanwhile she was dancing and not singing live. This is not allowed for anybody, but she has bribed the producers of the festival. Shkodra Elektronike, on the other hand, was sabotaged from the beginning. The producers put the worst part of the song in the summary, meanwhile all the other songs were presented with their chorus, but Shkodra's song was presented with Kola's part when he just talks and doesn't sing, so the audience that didn't listen to the songs fully would think that this song is not good. In the final, Shkodra Elektronike was sabotaged again when Kola's drum pad didn't work, and the technicians had to come to fix it for some seconds. Before Elvana performed her song, the festival went on commercial break, just to have time for the audience to prepare themselves to watch Elvana's performance, as if she is more important than the others. After Elvana finished her performance, she stayed on stage thanking everybody for a long time, just to make herself more important than the other competitors. Anyway, I am happy that despite all this, the judges and the fans still decided to send the better song in Eurovision.

[@nurifu_nightly]

If she was polish there would be no contest. Here if you're famous you don't even need a good song and nobody cares about your background

[@aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaghasvdghvsjh]

no, its if u got good relations with the goverment u get chosen, if it would be abt popularity of a singer, steczkowska would be sent last year cuz shes way more popular than luna who no one heard abt

[@lenudnir163]

@aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaghasvdghvsjh Public would have probably voted for Justyna more than for Luna

[@huhuhuhurricanestreamwow7937]

​@aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaghasvdghvsjh I remember a supposed polish entry 2024 that was discarded and I remember loving EVERY second of it and I lost it. I searched steczkowska but the song is not the one I heard altho is a strong song for Eurovision is not the one I've heard. Do you know if anyone besides her released their entry song? I remember that it was the female singer that's the only thing I know

[@tallemajas]

I think Zjerm has so much going for it! For one, it's (finally) something new for Albania. But it's also a very captivating performance (definitely not a bathroom break song this time!) and we've seen before that Eurovision voters can really get behind ethnic folk songs when they feel approachable or create an atmosphere (e.g. GO_A, Ladaniva)

[@andrebastos8932]

And we've also seen how eurovision throws ethnic folk songs in the trash (france 2022 and Norway 2024). It will heavily depend on the live performance.

[@nrg1123]

I love this style of video Gabe, it's great to hear you go deeper on a specific national final or subject.

[@mattiaskristiansen8893]

This is like saying that norway made a good decicion in 2021 by choosing TIX (bad song, only won bc he's popular as an artist) over others that were actually good (like KEIINO). Zjerm was definitely the right move for Albania, and I strongly believe in a good placement

[@xanderx2523]

But if they are placed lower people are going to say: "why didn't we choose Elvana?" So either way you're screwed if Keiino was chosen and placed low than people would make this argument for TIX (tho he had the worst song that year according to me at least) 😂

[@dhilandass7986]

​@@xanderx2523but I think keiino wouldnt have placed low so its not a very good comparison

[@Gert-c2b]

Shkodra Elektronike to me is the bridge between Greece 1995, Parashqevi Simaku’s post-Hoxha folk and Madonna’s Ray of Light album.

[@cathedraldarkness]

I’m still stuck on Ronela Hajati tbh. Sekret will always be a blast it in the car bop.

[@lumihortensia]

I like this new format for covering national finals! While I'd love to watch as many of them myself as possible, keeping up with all of them simply isn't doable with limited free time and way too many interests and hobbies... So these deepdives are definitely appreciated! Looking forward to what angles/storylines you'll be covering with these from.

[@luciagianquitto4010]

Kolë said that he is not familiar with Eurovision, havin never saw it on TV, i would be scared too if i was doing a selection for A CONTEST I DON'T KNOW

[@2404Vampire]

I love the deep dives. Keep them coming! Also, ZJERM! ❤

[@MKWahPhil]

14:03 You know the funniest part about Ardit? He literally called out toxic Eurofans in an interview (kzbin.infotL3KSxu1Lo8), just to then act exactly the same way as the people he called out 😂

[@Lunariant]

This is great storytelling! I didn't watch the Festivali i Këngës, but I feel like I was there.

[@elvoooooooo6071]

Also ardit cuni the 🤮 emoji expressed it as a disbelief that He didnt win bro was delusional af

[@User12345fan]

Lol that’s how he made it, very little talent but exaggerated self confidence.

[@JustinMcCarthy-cy1mv]

Yawn. Zjerm is special. Elvana's song is a summer, party song that will be instantly forgotten by November 24th. Sorry to be so blunt, but it's time to move on. Yesterday's news. Thanks for you the preparation and passion you put into your videos. Good job!

[@TessCoughlan-h4m]

I loved a lot of FiK63 songs and Zjerm was my winner. For me, the smaller stage compromised Elvanas decisions: rather than prioritising the song and vocals, too much was focused on her celebrity status and lacklustre choreography. Shame, as it had such potential.

[@sincitybg]

Even if she won, all those controversies (connection with the mafia) would destroy any chance of placing high; remember Belgium 2004? She was the favorite to win till her nude photos got leaked, or remember Armenia in 2014? (Aram MP3 making a homophobic comment that may have cost him a Eurovision top 2 place.) Nayah for France 1999 was a favorite for winning until the press revealed her relationship with the I.R.M. cult etc

[@IABITVpresents]

@@sincitybg Aram MP3 still placed 4th, I wouldn't call this a stifling of his chances placing high unless for you it's top 3 or nothing

[@sincitybg]

@@IABITVpresents4th place is great but he was considered to win, till a journalist found his statement, they tried to do damage control in Copenhagen, even though he apologized to Conchita

[@IABITVpresents]

@@sincitybg From a winner contender to just 4th is not that big of a fall. Eurovision 2011 treated the fan faves way worse, what controversial stuff did they say?

[@Markus_ESC]

Very well researched video! I didn’t even know about the Italian background 😶 I’m a bit mad that Elvana didn’t win, but to be fair, it wasn’t her strongest song - I could imagine Evangelia facing the same fate 😬 And THANK YOU for bringing up the thing with Ardit - that behavior really disgusted me, and well, I can’t listen to his song anymore (even though, in my opinion, it was the best song)

[@Tr2897-x2c]

If you compare Elvana's songs with what she represented herself in FIK, you will understand why she did not win!!!

[@franseph]

Elvana Gjata lost again, may we need to start preparing for another pandemic?

[@Gimlo_Goblin]

Wait until UMK. If Erika Vikman comes second, we might need to start worrying 😉

[@franseph]

@@Gimlo_Goblin and if Athena ends up representing Armenia 😂

[@josephnewsome2935]

@@Gimlo_Goblinor Iceland and Lithuania send a possible winner

[@mystemo1980]

Yep keep this format Gabe 😊 Very good video

[@carl-johanfougstedt199]

Interesting topic and interesting video!

[@smilea446]

I love this type of video, I love eurovision and it's lore but I don't have enough time to make research myself (and I don't where to start tbh). It's a pleasure to watch !

[@koguma8823]

albania was one of my favorite countries for YEARS (special shoutout to 2018 🖤) but i sort of lost interest in them in the past couple years. zjerm however is BRILLIANT! i'm back in my albania era baby!!

[@Nadia1989]

Someone: can we have Slomo? FiK: we have Slomo at home Slomo at home:

[@jurgnobs1308]

so, one thing about the "gypsy music" thing, which is obviously discriminatory as hell: what you seem to consider typical albanian music (her 2019 song) is in fact quite heavily influenced by roma music tradition. you can find this in quite a few balkan music traditions. it's a massive influence on bulgarian music aswell, for instance. so, he isn't technically wrong to say that her song was heavily influenced by it. it's just that his judgment about that fact is... well, chauvinistic as fuck. so, it's possible that this critizism that cost her 2019 actually had an influence in her cutting out these sort of cultural references from her song this time. which of course instead turned it into a dim a dozen pop song. but the thing is, if you look at the biggest names in albanian music, they either are quite heavily influenced by roma music tradition OR they are sort of generic pop bangers. this just has to do with the fact that the roma, being kind of outcasts of society and quite a few of them in the past having been sort of traveling entertainers, they simply had a large impact on traditional music in a lot of places. not just on the balkans but for instance also in spain, where the Flamenco for instance is very, very heavily influenced by Roma. imagine a spanish singer doing a song that is inspired by Flamenco and the judge making them lose over it and telling them they made "gypsy music". that's more or less what happened in 2019 in albania. it sucks.

[@neconeconeco]

ugh, it's the worst. it happens all over the Balkans, something will be dismissed as "gypsy" even if it's extremely far removed from any obvious Romani musical influence. like oh noes, this song has some trumpets and a beat, could it be that this historically oppressed group that has survived in part by traditionally producing a legacy of entertainers in the region for hundreds of years has influenced the culture as a whole? say it ain't so.

[@jurgnobs1308]

@neconeconeco exactly. it's so wide spread

[@ItsMeAlbi]

My Dude... 1) Albanian Jury of Eurovision have been paid under table every single year and have not selected the one who deserves to be on Eurovision but the one who offers the Jury the most money. But saying all that... This year has been THE ONLY YEAR that song that represents us as Albanians have been selected so please dont jinks it :)

[@Erik_Emer]

Not gonna lie, I was really mad when the "Albanian diaspora" voted in favor of Karnaval. Like, really, "disapora?" Albania's version to SloMo? I agree with Kolë needing to look like an absolutely menacing figure for his part, and I think multiple camera angles will help to add dramatic effect when he says "zjerm." I'm on the fence about Beatriçe needing backup dancers because if Kole's going to be the sole focus of his part, when Beatriçe similarly should be, too.

[@User12345fan]

She surely has some crazy fanatic fans or knows how to rig. I voted for Shkodra Elektronike

[@schneeroseful]

Nad World is NOT by Gary Jules. It is by Tears for Fears. They would also have provided you with the correct tempo

[@mrgreatbritain]

Literally just said the same haha, thought Gabe would be more well educated there!

[@eleni73]

Mad World was the FIRST THING THAT CAME TO MY HEAD! I think I even commented it on the actual song- I thought I was going crazy!

[@aselyak2873]

Love the new format, bls keep it. Deep dives are great

[@Eurovulcan]

YES! I heard "Mad World" too in Karnaval! That is immediately what I realized on my first listen. Okay, so I wasn't going crazy! Thank you!

[@Wildcat612]

I always love your measured analysis, Gabe, but with all due respect (and I do mean that!), I think you've missed the boat with this video in a few respects. With regard to Karnaval being "nailed live vocally," there was substantial use of a backing track. With regard to Karnaval being the massive favorite to win, that may be the case within the Eurofandom, but Eurofans on Twitter (like most communities on Twitter) aren't representative of general sentiment... particularly in a contest like FiK which has been prioritizing a sense of Albanian traditions for as long as I've been watching. Lastly, I don't think Kolë was terrified but rather that his portion of the song is meant to be performed deadpan, almost hauntingly, to suit the grim lyrics he's saying. His is a bit of musical performance art, basically. Anyway, I enjoy both of these songs and love Elvana Gjata (who was totally robbed in 2019) so I mean no ill will toward her, but I don't think this result was all that shocking given that we've seen time and time again that FiK's gonna FiK. Thanks again. Look forward to future vids.

[@ArditSr]

Great video

[@Aliraxesc]

Eliana Gjata btw already wanted to represent Albania at Eurovision for their Debut in 2004 but she lost Fik 2003

[@mari9339]

This entry makes me go back to my roots as Eurovision fan in 2018/2019 when Albania was in my top 3 in these years and „Zjerm” is so so Albanian and i love this so much

[@TatjanaChiper]

Elvana is Chanel from Temu

[@TheSillyPotato]

Another great video as usual Gabe, even though I don't always agree with you I still think it's very interesting to hear different perspectives! However I would like to divert the attention to something else in the video - your environment is so dimly lit that the video looks like it's a conspiracy video recorded in a haunted house D: Again, I love your content! But I couldn't stop thinking about it while watching it 😂💜

[@rvbinka]

Zjerm is a perfect choice for Albania. Karnaval sounds like world cup rejected song and its bland, so I think Shkodra Elektronike deserved it. Also I don't think dancers are really needed bc Beatrice fills the stage on her own, its more authentic

[@mrgreatbritain]

I must say I learned a lot here, but the mafia links are well dodgy! They've dodged a bullet here. Also I hate to be that person, but you could have compared Tears For Fears' original when you mentioned Mad World, you used a less similar cover!

[@escadri4407]

Elvana should try representing Ireland or something. Sure it won't make sense, but ESC doesn't have to haha ;) Because there is something sad when there are two (or more) ESC-worthy songs in a selection and knowing only one (at most) will get the actual opportunity. And I loved both "Zjerm" and "Karnaval". This might be controversial, but I think "Karnaval" outsells both "SloMo" and "Me Tana". Albania made a great decision, but still somewhat sad for Elvana. Hope she will make it someday :) Same issue in 2020, Elvana was great... but Arilena was better.

[@alexe9030]

@escgabe shoutout for the Gary Jules reference I hear it immediately. I just watched Donnie darko the other night and it has that song in it. One of the first songs I learned on the piano.

[@Shine-wh6hr]

Shkodra Elektronike Zjerm 🙏🙏🥇💎✨✨🔥🔥🫶🫶🇦🇱🇦🇱

[@BumpzittoBlox]

tbh both Zjerm and Karnaval are good and would be in the grand final top 5

[@henroriro]

Aren't carnavals mostly associated with Brazil? Shouldn't she be singing the numbers in Portugese instead of Spanish?

[@itsmeya_bard9383]

Kolë needs to hit up Gothminister's makeup artist for the terrifying look he needs. I think if he does that, they'll definitely qualify

[@ar50000]

Lordi's make-up artist? Bambie's?

[@baroncicala1934]

Bruh, Madworld by Tears for Rears. That hurt

[@neconeconeco]

hehe rears

[@Mihaila-7892]

As an Albanian i can say, no Albanian believes in Eurovision anymore. We all know it's pure geo-politic, but at least it's a stage for our artists to have some exposure. It's already a win for us to have a proper representation, so whatever place they get there, is not important.

[@clar1nettist204]

I just saw Karnaval as Fuego if it was football anthem

[@Maybornguy]

7:20 omg so true

[@myjunkdrawer8014]

I think Albania is scared of the girl bop following Sekret crashing and burning. They kind of sent one last year but they watered it down so much I don't think it counts.

[@Gimlo_Goblin]

Really great analysis honestly, Gimlo really likes the focus on individual national selections

[@MONOAEK-jy8hu]

The Biggest Albanian Pop Star is DUA LIPA!Then comes RITA ORA, BEBE REXHA, AVA MAX, an then ELVANA GJATA, DAFINA ZEQIRI ETC...

[@lordkampi]

We need every 4th and 5th of every esc since 2000!!

[@EscSłonecznika]

I supported Zjerm from the start. As much as I like Elvana and want to see her go to Eurovision, this wasn’t the song to do it with for me. If she had gone with something like Më Tana (her 2020 entry) I’d have probably liked it more, but this just sounded like the same overdone fiery Latina girl bop. Kind of like a budget version of Fuego. Zjerm was something we’ve never seen, and that’s the kind of entries I’ll always gravitate towards. Also the crazy support from the Elvana stans (most of whom I’m convinced are under 16) just made me root for Zjerm even more.

[@georgehand]

I was team Elvana ar FiK this year but she only won the diaspora whereas the winner topped the public vote & the jury so I can't say fairer than that and Albania's choice isn't that bad but I feel Elvana would do better so we'll see come Basel

[@jodygrottino8257]

As someone from Italy I wish I'll be able to vote in their semifinal to support them, they deserve it. 🇮🇹❤️🇦🇱

[@That1YTGuy]

Hot take: karnaval is more Eurovision coded 😭

[@wojciechnowak2921]

Which is EXACTLY why it's better they chose Zjerm. We're tired of listening to the copycat patterns, sounds and progressions we've already dealt with throughout Eurovision. It's just playing safe, and often *that* does not work, too. We want to see countries taking risks, going off the beaten track while showcasing their culture and giving what truly represents THEM, not the Eurovision itself.

[@That1YTGuy]

@ I personally liked karnaval but zherm is also good, it’s js more the fact that thing similar to zjerm have flopped in the past 🫠

[@markthivierge4347]

Like the new style!

[@daphneebrisson7449]

You did all the work to readjust the tempo of the Gary Jules version when you could have gone with the original from Tears for Fears. Edit:typo

[@logi-a]

Honestly I really enjoy Albanias song this year. They honestly made the right choice