British Male Solo Artist
John Newman
Jake Bugg
Tom Odell
David Bowie
James Blake
My Pick: James Blake
Admittedly, my first impression of James Blake’s Overgrown wasn’t the best. But I began to love the album after I spent some more time with it. It’s an outstanding album and it’s no surprise that it’s on everyones year end lists for 2013.
Most Likely to Win: John Newman
Bowie released his first album for ten years and it peaked at Number 1 in the UK Charts and although it was received well by critics it doesn’t compare to certain Soul singer from Yorkshire. John Newman followed up his success with Rudimental with two a Number 1 single, a Top 10 single and a Number 1 debut album. Which all make John an easy choice for the panel as winner.
British Female Solo Artist
Ellie Goulding
Jessie J
Laura Marling
Laura Mvula
Birdy
My Pick: Laura Mvula
If either of the Lauras won (Marling or Mvula) I’d be happy; as they’re probably the most credible of the nominees for British Female Solo Artist. Neither did as well as some of the more established acts they’re nominated against but they both produced brilliant projects which should not be overlooked.
Most Likely to Win: Ellie Goulding
Of the nominees it is Ellie Goulding that probably had the best year, although she released her latest album Halcyn in 2012. Ellie released 3 top 5 singles in 2013 including a Number 1 with “Burn”.
British Group
Disclosure
One Direction
Rudimental
Arctic Monkeys
Bastille
My Pick: Rudimental
Both Disclosure and Rudimental had good years, but it’s Rudimental that I think should win this. Their Number 1 debut album Home is brilliant, their live show is smashing and they had a massive Number 1 single with “Waiting All Night”.
Most Likely to win: Arctic Monkeys/ Bastille
In recent years this award has tended to go to guitar bands, so with that in mind it is either Arctic Monkeys or Bastille that will win. Both bands released platinum albums, but it was probably Arctic Monkeys that made the most noise even if there’s was released in the fourth quarter of 2013.
British Breakthrough Act
Disclosure
Bastille
Laura Mvula
London Grammar
Tom Odell
My Pick: Disclosure
Among the nominees it is probably Disclosure made the most noise, not musically but in terms of hype generated. They had some good singles and there album was ok, so I’d probably chose them to win.
Most Likely to Win: Disclosure
Put simply: this is one of the categories that screams Disclosure winning.
Best Producer
Ethan Johns
Flood & Alan Moulder
Paul Epworth
Most Likely to Win: You’re guess is as good as mine!
Critics’ Choice Winner: Sam Smith
I’m looking forward to hearing how Sam’s album sounds and what kind of direction he’s gone with for the project. He’s an exciting artist that has been part of some big songs in the past year, so I can’t disagree with this choice of winner. Congratulations Sam.
The Brits Critic’s Choice album which features all of nominees including Sam Smith, Adele, Emeli Sandé and James Blake is out now. You can purchase it on iTunes or stream it on Spotify today.
British Single
Bastille – ‘Pompeii’
Calvin Harris Feat. Ellie Goulding – ‘I Need Your Love’
Disclosure Feat. AlunaGeorge – ‘White Noise’
Ellie Goulding – ‘Burn’
John Newman – ‘Love Me Again’
Naughty Boy Feat. Sam Smith – ‘La La La’
Olly Murs – ‘Dear Darlin’
One Direction – ‘One Way Or Another (Teenage Kicks)’
Passenger – ‘Let Her Go’
Rudimental Feat. Ella Eyre – ‘Waiting All Night’
My Pick: As long as it’s not Olly Murs or One Direction then I’ll be happy
Most Likely to Win: Ellie Goulding – “Burn”
There are a whole heap of songs that were not inlcuded but should have been, such as MK’s Storm Queen Remix and Calvin Harris’ “Thinking About You”.
The panel’s choices over the years for Best British Single have ranged from Adele’s “Skyfall” to One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful.” So that means any of these lot could win, as quite often the song that wins is not the best song from that year and is not the best song within the list of nominees.
“Burn” isn’t bad but it’s not nearly as good as “Waiting All Night” or “Let Her Go” is it?
Mastercard British Album Of The Year
Rudimental – ‘Home’
Disclosure – ‘Settle’
Arctic Monkeys – ‘AM’
Bastille – ‘Bad Blood’
David Bowie – ‘The Next Day’
My Pick: Rudimental – ‘Home’
If you read my review of the album, then you’ll know that Home is a brilliant album. It is that album that stands out amongst the Mastercard British Album Of The Year nominees and it is Rudimental that deserve to win this most. Good luck lads.
International Male Solo Artist
Justin Timberlake
Bruno Mars
Eminem
Drake
John Grant
My Pick: John Grant
It’s not the most inspiring of lists and I hate when awards just go the biggest artists rather than the artist that deserves it. So it would be cool if John Grant won this, even if I hadn’t heard of him before this and had to check out his stuff on YouTube!
Most Likely to Win: Bruno Mars
Before last year the international acts that performed on the night, were the winners of the internatational awards. Rihanna and Bruno Mars performed in 2012 and won the award for the respective categories and in 2011 Rihanna and Cee Lo performed and surprise surprise they won the award for the respective categories. So with that in mind, whichever international act that performs on the night will win.
International Female Solo Artist
Katy Perry
Lady Gaga
Pink
Lorde
Janelle Monae
My Pick: Lorde
When I first heard Lorde’s music details were sketchy about the singer so all I had to go on was her music, but boy was it good! Fast forward a few months and Lorde was burning up charts world wide and people were falling in love with “Royals”. Lorde’s album’s pretty good and she brings a bit of substance to the table rather than the emotionless crap that is so often associated with Pop; so it’d be nice if she won.
Most Likely to Win: Katy Perry
Following on form what I said about the Best International Male Solo Artist category, Katy Perry will be performing on the night so she’ll win this award.
International Group
Daft Punk
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Haim
Kings Of Leon
Arcade Fire
My Pick: Haim
Best International Group is a tough one, because all of the nominees have a reasonable argument as to why they should win, except Kings of Leon. I like them, but the music they released in 2013 wasn’t even that good! It would be good to see Haim win, they’re not the biggest of acts (commercially), but they make good Indie Pop and it would be great for that to be recognised.
Most Likely to Win: Arcade Fire
In recent year’s it seems that the panel have gone for a credible choice, rather than the Pop audience’s favourite for Best International Group. Looking back at the previous winners I think that Arcade Fire will leave the O2 Arena with the award. I wouldn’t be surprised if Daft Punk won though.
The confirmed perfomers for the night so far are:
Arctic Monkeys
Katy Perry
Bruno Mars
Rudimental
Bastille
The 2014 BRIT Awards will be held on February 19th at the O2 Arena, London. Tickets are on sale now on Ticketmaster http://smarturl.it/BritAwards2014. If you can’t get tickets then fear not as the whole show will be broadcast live on ITV from 8pm on February 19th.
Critics’ Choice Winner: Sam Smith
I’m looking forward to hearing how Sam’s album sounds and what kind of direction he’s gone with for the project. He’s an exciting artist that has been part of some big songs in the past year, so I can’t disagree with this choice of winner. Congratulations Sam.
The Brits Critic’s Choice album which features all of nominees including Sam Smith, Adele, Emeli Sandé and James Blake is out now. You can purchase it on iTunes or stream it on Spotify today.
British Single
Bastille – ‘Pompeii’
Calvin Harris Feat. Ellie Goulding – ‘I Need Your Love’
Disclosure Feat. AlunaGeorge – ‘White Noise’
Ellie Goulding – ‘Burn’
John Newman – ‘Love Me Again’
Naughty Boy Feat. Sam Smith – ‘La La La’
Olly Murs – ‘Dear Darlin’
One Direction – ‘One Way Or Another (Teenage Kicks)’
Passenger – ‘Let Her Go’
Rudimental Feat. Ella Eyre – ‘Waiting All Night’
My Pick: As long as it’s not Olly Murs or One Direction then I’ll be happy
Most Likely to Win: Ellie Goulding – “Burn”
There are a whole heap of songs that were not inlcuded but should have been, such as MK’s Storm Queen Remix and Calvin Harris’ “Thinking About You”.
The panel’s choices over the years for Best British Single have ranged from Adele’s “Skyfall” to One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful.” So that means any of these lot could win, as quite often the song that wins is not the best song from that year and is not the best song within the list of nominees.
“Burn” isn’t bad but it’s not nearly as good as “Waiting All Night” or “Let Her Go” is it?
Mastercard British Album Of The Year
Rudimental – ‘Home’
Disclosure – ‘Settle’
Arctic Monkeys – ‘AM’
Bastille – ‘Bad Blood’
David Bowie – ‘The Next Day’
My Pick: Rudimental – ‘Home’
If you read my review of the album, then you’ll know that Home is a brilliant album. It is that album that stands out amongst the Mastercard British Album Of The Year nominees and it is Rudimental that deserve to win this most. Good luck lads.
International Male Solo Artist
Justin Timberlake
Bruno Mars
Eminem
Drake
John Grant
My Pick: John Grant
It’s not the most inspiring of lists and I hate when awards just go the biggest artists rather than the artist that deserves it. So it would be cool if John Grant won this, even if I hadn’t heard of him before this and had to check out his stuff on YouTube!
Most Likely to Win: Bruno Mars
Before last year the international acts that performed on the night, were the winners of the internatational awards. Rihanna and Bruno Mars performed in 2012 and won the award for the respective categories and in 2011 Rihanna and Cee Lo performed and surprise surprise they won the award for the respective categories. So with that in mind, whichever international act that performs on the night will win.
International Female Solo Artist
Katy Perry
Lady Gaga
Pink
Lorde
Janelle Monae
My Pick: Lorde
When I first heard Lorde’s music details were sketchy about the singer so all I had to go on was her music, but boy was it good! Fast forward a few months and Lorde was burning up charts world wide and people were falling in love with “Royals”. Lorde’s album’s pretty good and she brings a bit of substance to the table rather than the emotionless crap that is so often associated with Pop; so it’d be nice if she won.
Most Likely to Win: Katy Perry
Following on form what I said about the Best International Male Solo Artist category, Katy Perry will be performing on the night so she’ll win this award.
International Group
Daft Punk
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Haim
Kings Of Leon
Arcade Fire
My Pick: Haim
Best International Group is a tough one, because all of the nominees have a reasonable argument as to why they should win, except Kings of Leon. I like them, but the music they released in 2013 wasn’t even that good! It would be good to see Haim win, they’re not the biggest of acts (commercially), but they make good Indie Pop and it would be great for that to be recognised.
Most Likely to Win: Arcade Fire
In recent year’s it seems that the panel have gone for a credible choice, rather than the Pop audience’s favourite for Best International Group. Looking back at the previous winners I think that Arcade Fire will leave the O2 Arena with the award. I wouldn’t be surprised if Daft Punk won though.
The confirmed perfomers for the night so far are:
Arctic Monkeys
Katy Perry
Bruno Mars
Rudimental
Bastille
The 2014 BRIT Awards will be held on February 19th at the O2 Arena, London. Tickets are on sale now on Ticketmaster http://smarturl.it/BritAwards2014. If you can’t get tickets then fear not as the whole show will be broadcast live on ITV from 8pm on February 19th.
