Revealed Wednesday, the key Grammy nominations featured few surprises, with obvious contenders like Frank Ocean, Mumford & Sons and fun. occupying top categories.<\/p>\n
On the most marquee of metrics, fun. was the true winner Wednesday, locking up a nomination in each of the “big four” categories. The act, up for Best New Artist, has an album of the year contender in “Some Nights,” while “We are Young” grabbed a nod for Record and Song of the Year.<\/p>\n
Contending with “We Are Young” for Song of the Year, which goes to the songwriter(s), are Ed Sheeran’s “The A Team,” Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” (which, despite owing so much of its success to the taut production, did not grab a Record of the Year nod), Miguel’s “Adorn” and Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger.”<\/p>\n
Record of the Year challengers for fun. include Black Keys’ “Lonely Boy,” Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger,” Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know (featuring Kimbra),” Frank Ocean’s “Thinking About You” and Taylor Swift’s “We are Never Ever Getting Back Together.”<\/p>\n
Ocean’s “Channel Orange” predictably scored a nod in Album of the Year, where it will face off fun. and other expected challengers like Mumford & Sons’ “Babel” and Black Keys’ “El Camino.” Jack White’s “Blunderbuss” is also fighting for that prize.<\/p>\n
Hunter Hayes emerged as a dark horse in the Best New Artist race, joining predictable acts like Frank Ocean, fun. and the Lumineers, along with another mild surprise in Alabama Shakes.<\/p>\n