A week has not yet passed since the Grand Final of Eurovision 2025, and we already have a new release from Albanian representatives Shkodra Elektronike. The duo has just release their new EP shndrit!, which includes their Eurovision entry “Zjerm” along with three new tracks.
Albanian melodies and collaborations
Shkodra’s EP is in the image of their Basel entry: it blends electronic soundscapes with ancestral Albanian melodies, tribal beats, and experimental pop hooks. Expect some heavy basses, incantations, and of course, longer tracks.
For this release, Beatriçe and Kolë collaborated with Clap! Clap!, Roy Paci, and the Albanian Iso-Polyphonic Choir (with Albanian Iso-polyphony being part of UNESCO’s intangibe cultural heritage).
Roy Paci is a famous Italian musician, singer and trumpet player, who is actually already linked to the world of Eurovision through his participation in “Una Voce per San Marino” in 2023. He collaborates with the duo on “Askund”, the main release of the EP. Described as “a haunting electro-ballad woven from hypnotic synth textures, ethereal vocals, and powerful polyphonic choirs”, the track is rooted in Albanian mysticism, “exploring spiritual dislocation through mesmerising chants, soulful brass accents, and ambient rhythms”.
The full track-list is as follows, with our translation of the titles:
- “Zjerm” (Fire)
- “Askund” (Nowhere)
- “Deri n’fund” (Until the end)
- “E Lirë” (Free)
- “Zjerm – Clap! Clap! Remix”
You can find the whole EP below on their Spotify account:
Shkodra in Basel
Shkodra Elektronike won the Festivali i Këngës in December last year, and went on to represent Albania at Eurovision in Basel, last week. They finished second of the first semi-final, with 122 points (including 12 from the Rest of the World vote), thus qualifying for the Saturday grand final. There, they closed the show in the #26 slot and reached the televote’s top 5, with 173 points.
This, added to the jury’s 45 points, was enough to lift Albania to a tied 8th position with Ukraine, which they beat on the tiebreaker, having earned more points from the public.
Have you listened to shndrit! yet? What’s your favourite new track? Tell us more in the comments below or on social media, at @escxtra!
