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"Theje"
Fragments of broken glass shaped in form of a heart on a red background
Single by Alban Ramosaj
LanguageAlbanian
English title"Break it"
Released3 December 2021 (2021-12-03)
LabelIndependent
Songwriter(s)Alban Ramosaj
Producer(s)Marko Polo
Alban Ramosaj singles chronology
"Thikat e mia"
(2021) 		"Theje"
(2021) 		"Love Letter"
(2022)
Music video
"Theje" on YouTube

"Theje" (Albanian: [ˈθɛjɛ]; transl. "Break it") is a song by Albanian singer and songwriter Alban Ramosaj. The song was written and composed by Ramosaj himself and produced by Marko Polo. It was independently released as a single for digital download and streaming on 3 December 2021. The song is an Albanian-language ethnic ballad combining traditional Albanian instruments and sounds, with its lyrics focusing on the theme of unconditional love. Music critics and fans applauded the song, with praise concentrated on its ethnic nature and instrumentation, as well as Ramosaj's vocal delivery. An accompanying lyric video was premiered to the singer's official YouTube channel simultaneously with the single's release on 3 December.

In late December 2021, Ramosaj competed with "Theje" in the 60th edition of Festivali i Këngës intentionally to represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy. During the final, the singer finished in the second place despite being a favourite to win the contest. His performance commenced in black and white and progressed with colours, while the background LED screens displayed thunder and dark imagery.

Background and release

[edit]

In an interview for Wiwibloggs, after winning the 22nd edition of Kënga Magjike in May 2021, Ramosaj revealed his intention to participate at Festivali i Këngës with the aim to represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.[1] The following November, the Albanian broadcaster Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) announced that they had selected Ramosaj among 20 other artists to compete in the live shows of the 60th edition of Festivali i Këngës in late December 2021.[2][3] Thereafter, "Theje" was independently released as a single in various territories for digital download and streaming on 3 December 2021.[4] An accompanying lyric video was uploaded to Ramosaj's YouTube channel simultaneously with the single's release.[5]

Composition and reception

[edit]

"Theje", which translated means "Break it", was composed and written by Ramosaj himself, with additional mastering and mixing as well as the production done by Albanian composer Marko Polo.[6][7][8] The Albanian-language song is musically an ethnic ballad with a blend of traditional Albanian instruments and sounds.[9][10] Lyrically, the song touches on the theme of unconditional love and delves into a past relationship of the singer, in which he forgave and continued to offer love and trust to his love interest.[11] Upon its release, "Theje" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. In a review for ESCUnited conducted by several staff members, "Theje" has been described as a "pleasant" and "epic" ethnic ballad with an "emotional vibe" and a traditional Albanian nature, which was praised by multiple writers.[10] Incorporating what writer William saw as building in "unexpected ways", the song begins into a "mystery surrounding" developing from the verse into two following "epic" choruses before ending "out of nowhere".[10] Writer Tom Padraig of Wiwibloggs similarly expressed praise towards the song's structure as well as Ramosaj's vocal delivery.[12]

Festivali i Këngës

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See also: Festivali i Këngës 60

RTSH organised the 60th edition of Festivali i Këngës to select the Albanian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy.[13][14] The contest consisted of two semi-finals on 27 and 28 December, respectively, and the grand final on 29 December 2021.[15][16] Ramosaj was officially announced as a selected contestant to participate in the contest in November 2021.[2] During his shows, Ramosaj's performance commenced in black and white with thunder being featured on the LED walls throughout the performance.[17] While music critics were favorable towards both Ramosaj's vocal delivery and the song's ethnic nature, he was regarded by the media as a strong contender[18][19] and became among the Eurovision fans favourite to win the contest.[20][21][22] During the grand final of Festivali i Këngës, the singer eventually ended up finishing in second place.[23][24] He later expressed his gratitude and thanked his fans for their support through a social media post, while saying that he counts 2021 as his year.[25][26]

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from YouTube.[5]

  • Alban Ramosaj – composing, choir, guitarist, songwriting, vocals
  • Marko Polo – choir, mastering, mixing, producing
  • Alex Seitaj – choir
  • Kris Breshaj – choir
  • Xhesika Polo – choir
  • Telando Feto – recorder

Track listing

[edit]
  • Digital download[4]
  1. "Theje" – 3:04

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Theje"
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various
 3 December 2021
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Independent [4]

References

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  1. ^ Adams, William Lee (13 June 2021). "Eurovision sing-a-long: How well does Albanian pop star Alban Ramosaj know the song contest?". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Shpallet lista e këngëtarëve pjesëmarrës në Festivalin e 60-të" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 9 November 2021. Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Albania: anunciados los participantes de la 60ª edición del Festivali I Këngës" (in Spanish). ESCplus. 9 November 2021. Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Citations regarding the digital release of "[Theje] Error: {{Lang}}: invalid parameter: |= (help)" by Alban Ramosaj in various selected countries:
  5. ^ a b Alban Ramosaj – Theje | Official Lyric Video. YouTube. 3 December 2021. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022. Note: Open description for credits.
  6. ^ "Albania shares 'Festivali i Këngës' songs". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 3 December 2021. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  7. ^ Tejeci, Erdi (16 December 2021). "'I do truly believe this is the right song for FiK' – Alban Ramosaj talks about his Festivali i Këngës journey and Eurovision dream". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  8. ^ "Pas 'Thikat e mija', Alban Ramosaj publikon 'Theje'". Gazeta Metro (in Albanian). 3 December 2021. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Netherlands | Alban Ramosaj – 'Theje'". SoundsEuropean. 7 January 2022. Archived from the original on 7 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  10. ^ a b c Maude, James (26 December 2021). "Albania: Festivali i Këngës 60 Reviews, Part One". ESC United. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  11. ^ Adams, William Lee (28 December 2021). "Alban Ramosaj on FiK60: 'My main goal is to be happy with what I deliver'". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  12. ^ "Wiwi Jury: We rank our favourites in Albania's Festivali i Këngës 60". Wiwibloggs. 26 December 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  13. ^ "Festivali i Këngës, ëndrra e çdo artisti në edicionin jubilar të 60-të" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 20 December 2021. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  14. ^ Granger, Anthony (29 December 2021). "Tonight: Albania Selects for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  15. ^ "Fest 60' nis sonte nata e parë" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 27 December 2021. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  16. ^ "Sonte, nata e dytë e Fest'60" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 29 December 2021. Archived from the original on 28 December 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  17. ^ "Live-Blog Albanien: FiK 60 – Das Finale des Festivali i Këngës 2021" (in German). ESC Kompakt. 29 December 2021. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  18. ^ "Nis lufta për fitoren e Festivalit të Këngës, Ronela Hajati dhe Alban Ramosaj, dy emrat e përfolur ende pa filluar gara". Panorama (in Albanian). 12 December 2021. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  19. ^ Adams, William Lee (27 December 2021). "FiK 60 poll results: Ronela and Alban are our readers' favourites to win". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  20. ^ O'Donoghue, Tom (26 December 2021). "Xtra Decised: Ronela Hajati – 'Sekret'". ESCXtra. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  21. ^ Roberts, Dale (8 December 2021). "Albania: Aussievision's Festivali i Këngës 60 rankings". Aussievision. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  22. ^ Christou, Costa (29 December 2021). "You have predicted Alban Ramosaj to win Festivali i Këngës 60!". ESCXtra. Archived from the original on 30 December 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  23. ^ "The 'Sekret' is out: Ronela Hajati will represent Albania". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 29 December 2021. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  24. ^ "Ronela Hajati fiton vendin e parë në Festivalin e Këngës" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 29 December 2021. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  25. ^ Dervishi, Anja (31 December 2021). "Alban Ramosaj ndan me ndjekësit disa fjalë pas eksperiencës së tij në Festivalin e Këngës!" (in Albanian). Top Albania Radio. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  26. ^ "Alban Ramosaj reagon për herë të parë pas humbjes në Festivalin e RTSH-së". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 31 December 2021. Archived from the original on 31 December 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
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