It’s music’s biggest night of the year, and we have to admit that this year’s lineup of GRAMMYs performers is one of the most impressive yet! Before the statuettes get handed out, we wanted to share our thoughts on who’s going to take home the top prizes, as well as a few races we’re particularly interested in.
Suzie’s picks:
Record of the Year — “Get Lucky”, Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers: As I said in my favourite songs of 2013 article, this funky tune made me dance like none other last year. Pharrell Williams’ smooth vocals layered beautifully on top of the French electronic duo’s groovy dance beat — I just couldn’t get enough of it. Hands down, I’m rooting for this track for Record of the Year, and I’d be surprised if it didn’t win.
Album of the Year — The Blessed Unrest, Sara Bareilles: I’ve been a fan of Sara Bareilles for years, and her latest album is pure pop beauty. The lead single “Brave” was one of the most inspiring and catchy songs I heard all year, and the rest of the album is just as excellent. I’m thrilled to see her nominated for one of the three major awards, and I’d love to see her take home the statue for Album of the Year. Unfortunately, I don’t think she’s the most likely contender — I’d probably put my money on Taylor Swift’s Red or Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ The Heist.
Song of the Year — “Royals”, Lorde: This song was absolutely everywhere last year, but somehow I never got sick of New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde’s irresistible voice. I can hardly believe that she was only 16 when she recorded this hit, but she truly deserves all the accolades she’s been given. I hope she takes home the award for Song of the Year, and I think she’s the most likely nominee, too.
The list of awards being handed out on Sunday night is lengthy, so I’ve also highlighted the 5 other categories I’ll be watching most closely:
Best Pop Solo Performance: Two of my favourites are up against each other in this category (Sara Bareilles’ “Brave” and Lorde’s “Royals”), so I’d be happy if either of them took home the statue! The competition will be stiff for this one though: they’re up against heavy-hitters “When I Was Your Man” (Bruno Mars), “Roar” (Katy Perry), and “Mirrors” (Justin Timberlake). JT might be tough to beat.
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: I’m obviously rooting for “Get Lucky” (Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers) for this award, and I think they’ve got a solid chance. Their biggest competition will likely come from “Blurred Lines” (Robin Thicke feat. T.I. & Pharrell) and “Suit & Tie” (Justin Timberlake & Jay-Z) but I’m hoping the Academy appreciates the disco funk.
Best Dance Recording: I’m a huge fan of Florence Welch from Florence + The Machine so I’m cheering for her phenomenal dance track “Sweet Nothing” with Calvin Harris. I think they’re a strong contender for taking home the award this year, but they might face some competition from the also-catchy “Clarity” (Zedd feat. Foxes).
Best Rock Performance: Imagine Dragons‘ debut album Night Visions took me by surprise last year, as I fell in love with songs like “It’s Time” and “On Top of the World”. I’m hoping their nominated track “Radioactive” takes home the statue, and I think their chances are quite good. The always fantastic David Bowie is likely to win as well, and obviously I’d be quite alright with that, too!
Best Alternative Music Album: I’ve been a fan of Neko Case for years, and her new album The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You definitely didn’t disappoint. I’d love to see her win the award this year, but I think Vampire Weekend (Modern Vampires of the City) will be hard to beat.
Suzanne’s picks:
Record of the Year — “Get Lucky”, Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers: This prize should be a lock for the French electronic duo — it was undoubtedly the year’s top track, and a major departure from their previous sound. While retro influences in current music can be hit or miss, the smooth ’70s-era disco groove Daft Punk laid down for this track combined with Pharrell Williams’ sexy vocals made for one killer listen.
Album of the Year — Random Access Memories, by Daft Punk: I have to go with Daft Punk again on this one — even without monster track “Get Lucky”, Random Access Memories is full of excellent tracks, from danceable (“Lose Yourself To Dance”, “Give Life Back To Music”), to slow and sensual (“The Game Of Love”), to electronic beats we’re more used to hearing from the pair (album closer “Contact”). Such a varied and interesting listen from end to end should earn Daft Punk the win, but I could see the voters handing it to Taylor Swift for Red or Macklemore & Ryan Lewis for The Heist.
Song of the Year — This category is a toss-up for me — I admittedly didn’t love any of the top picks enough to have a strong favourite. I admired Lorde‘s clever lyrics in “Royals”, so I’d like to see her win, but I have a feeling “Same Love” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Mary Lambert will come out on top.
Here are five races I’m particularly interested in this year:
Best Alternative Music Album: As anyone who read our best albums of 2013 list knows, I was mad for The National‘s Trouble Will Find Me so of course I want them to take the statuette. But I have a feeling Vampire Weekend‘s Modern Vampires Of The City will emerge victorious.
Best Pop Vocal Album: Although I realize she doesn’t have much of a chance given her stiff competition, I’ve really liked what I’ve heard from Lana Del Rey this year so I’d like to see her win for Paradise. Realistically though, this prize will go to Lorde, Bruno Mars, or Justin Timberlake.
Best Rock Performance: Look, I’m as big a David Bowie fan as anyone, but I saw Queen of the Stone Age for the first time in concert this year and I’m convinced no one rocks harder than them right now. I’d love to see them win for the phenomenal track “My God Is The Sun”. I think they have a good chance, although Bowie could win, as could Imagine Dragons, who had a huge year.
Best Rock Album: Another of my favourite albums of 2013 was QOTSA’s …Like Clockwork, so I’d be happy if they won this category. A terrific album that shows just how far their songwriting has come over the years. If they’re knocked off the podium, it’ll most likely be by David Bowie for The Next Day.
Best Song Written For Visual Media: I’m a big fan of Regina Spektor, so I’d love to see her win for the track she contributed to hit show Orange is the New Black, but I can’t help but think this award will go to Adele for “Skyfall”, the best James Bond theme song I’ve heard in years. I’ll have no problem with Adele taking this, if she comes out on top.
For all things GRAMMYs, tune into City starting at 6:30pmET, and head over to www.grammys.ca.