Reading Time: 4 min read

Best Pop Solo Performance:

Adele, “Hello” (25)

Still the one to beat here – no question!

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:

Lukas Graham, “7 Years” (Lukas Graham)

Other likely nominees: Beyoncé ft. Jack White, “Don’t Hurt Yourself”; Rihanna ft. Drake “Work”; Nick Jonas ft. Tove Lo, “Close”

If Lukas Graham are recognized for “7 Years,” this category seems the most likely one they’d win.

Best Pop Vocal Album:

Adele, 25

Other likely nominees: Ariana Grande, Dangerous Woman

 Don’t kid yourself – it’s Adele.

Adele, 25 © XL/Columbia

Best Rock Album:

Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Getaway

Sign, seal, and deliver this one…unless a bigger rock album comes out or one that’s more out of the box.  It’s been a quiet year for rock.

Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Getaway © Warner Bros

Best Alternative Music Album:

Radiohead, A Moon Shaped Pool

This is always a tough, tight category, but the return of Radiohead usually is “kind of a big deal.”  In Rainbows happened to be nominated for album of the year when it arrived…

Radiohead, A Moon Shaped Pool © XL Recordings


the musical hype

the musical hype (Brent Faulkner) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.