Theres several copies of Israel's 'Unicorn' this year too. Unicorn was a track that took from other female singer with dance troops that had gone before, but Unicorn was different because it was a bit start stop, with bits that didn't quite fit together seamlessly. This years ones do the same thing, less well.
It's really interesting how the contest is influenced by popular songs from the previous year but, in this case the influence is all from Kaarija and Gustaph rther than emulating Loreen. So many 90s beats and kooky guys but, IMO, it all feels rather contrived whereas Kaarija was genuine and authentic.
I think this is probably my gripe with Croatia's entry tbh. It feels contrived. The fact that the video even has the milk maid and theres a woman in a milkmaidesque costume for the live performance makes it feel off. Its funny when you first see it but yes, it all a bit ChatGPT Eurovision / Will Ferrell Parody vibe for me. Finland's entry is a less good version of that too. Finland is liable to bomb in the public vote as a result.
This is why I think the Dutch entry works best for me as the 'mad' entry. He is authentically bonkers rather than faked. And the song is different for Eurovision. Its very Dutch 1990s too and is unashamed of that. I fear its at massive risk of overhype though.
Gustaph was the entry I though really exceeded my expectations last year. The live performance and staging was absoluetely fantastic. Its a track I still like to listen to. As you say I think theres a few that have gone down that route. Overall there's a real dance / party vibe this year and the big single female ballad is 'out' in terms of Eurovision fashion. The Moldovian entry is likely to really benefit from that. The staging looks really good for it too. Ukraine and Armenia should do well too because they are 'different' to that party vibe and won't get lost in the crowd. The biggest winner to that is definitely the Italian act. Its got that latino sound thats done well in recent years but not quite won (yet).
This years Belguim entry I really like again and is one of my favs, but its got a running order issue. If it draws the first half of the draw it may struggle. It needs to be late in the show and to do well on the semi televote for aid its cause with the producers. The photos that have just come out look good - yet to see a video snippet (On that note, the Dutch entry needs to avoid one of the six 'first half of the draw' slots but should get a favourable position if it does that).
This year seems to have several revolving stages / circular props (though sadly I haven't spied a hamster well yet) - so I kinda hope that Olly Alexander doesn't do the same as Saturday Night Takeaway as its going to be a bit of a cliche. Trouble is with a song called Dizzy its going to be a hard temptation to resist. The song is actually one of the better ones - its not a vintage year imho - and he has a proven track record as an amazing live performer so I think he possibly will do better than I initially feared. If the staging is ok, he has the ability to pull us up the rankings but its not a top 5 song.
Think the Swiss entry will be hard to beat. Staging looks half decent on first impression and his voice seems great. Unless he has a bit of a 'mare and bottles it, he should be top 3. I think its probably going to be between Italy and Switzerland in the end. Croatia won the fan vote for the winner, but my feeling is the live performance is underwhelming and doesn't have the power and charisma of Käärijä to go with it. And Joost will possibly implode at the expense of the vocals and he really needs those jury votes not the televotes and its hard to see how he will manage that. (I'm hoping I'm wrong on this).
I note the changes in the betting since rehearsals began. The Irish entry has shot up in popularity (it was looking like it was unlikely to qualify for the final. Thats no longer the case). Croatia's odds are lengthing and though it remains second fav overall, the Netherlands is now second fav with a couple of the bookies - will be interesting to see how that pans out later (their rehearsal is about 4.30pm Swedish time).
In terms of copying from previous years being the trend this year - wtf were Germany thinking? Null Points.