JUNOS TAKE THE STAGE
R&B star among the sure bets to win big at the Juno Awards in Calgary
Who should win, who will win.
O ne would assume that this Juno weekend would be The Weeknd’s weekend.
The Toronto alt R&B star leads the pack with six nominations heading into the awards on the strength of his exceptional album Beauty Behind the Madness and, with him actually in attendance to perform during the event, you’d be crazy to think that he wouldn’t walk away with most of the hardware.
But, well, then there’d be no reason to watch the show, which is being broadcast live from the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary on Sunday, save maybe for the hopes that the Biebs drops by for some shirtless shenanigans.
So, to keep Canada glued to the set, here’s some supposition on who should win and who will ultimately hoof it out of there with the trophy in all six categories being awarded during the big show.
Single of the year
Here — Alessia Cara Hotline Bling — Drake What Do You Mean? — Justin Bieber Clothes Off — Ria Mae Can’t Feel My Face — The Weeknd
Should win: Cara’s wonderful ode to being an awkward teen is a star-making turn — one that shows off her incredible pipes and her remarkable likability. In a perfect world, all of those should trump things such as viral videos, incessantly whiny emo raps and a multitude of responses, lampoons and cover versions.
Will win: Drake’s Hotline
Bling
Album of the year
If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late — Drake À Paradis City — Jean Leloup Purpose — Justin Bieber Handwritten — Shawn Mendes Beauty Behind the Madness — The Weeknd
Should win: As a complete work, Madness stands head and shoulders above the others. Yes, it’s got some fabulously catchy pop-soul singles on it, but it’s also a cohesive sophomore statement from Abel Tesfaye — a simmering, sexy, singular statement that announces an artist who will have a long and prosperous career.
Will win: The Weeknd’s Beauty Behind the Madness
Group of the year
Hedley
Marianas Trench
Metric
Three Days Grace
Walk Off The Earth
Should win: Save for the list of fan choice nominees, there couldn’t be a more disparate list of acts and talents competing for one prize, with the only common denominator being the passport. Personal choice? Well, it’s difficult to argue the appeal of both Hedley and Marianas Trench — difficult but not impossible, mind you — it’s also not hard to hear that Metric remain one of this nation’s best, most consistently excellent mainstream electrorock ensembles.
Will win: Hedley
Breakthrough artist of the year
Alessia Cara
Coleman Hell
Francesco Yates
Scott Helman
Tobias Jesso Jr.
Should win: It’s hard to remember a stronger, more talented group of newcomers on the Canadian scene — ones where artistry and talent seems to overshadow any pre-fabricated buzz or overwhelming image. Yeah, they each have some of those irrelevant things, but they don’t rely on them to push the music or their skills. And if we’re going purely on that, West Coaster Jesso Jr. and his Lennon-McCartney, ’70s soft-rock pennings and warblings sell themselves magnificently.
Will win: Alessia Cara
Country album of the year
Anchor — Autumn Hill Pick Me Up — Brett Kissel Gypsy Road — Dean Brody County Line — High Valley Frontier — Paul Brandt
Should win: The one homegrown artist — not including Autumn Hill’s Calgary-born Tareya Green — should get his due in front of his own, especially considering Paul Brandt offers a nice, honest counter to the Canadian wave of the bro country movement.
Will win: Dean Brody for Gypsy Road
Juno fan choice
Alessia Cara
Carly Rae Jepsen
Coeur de pirate
Dean Brody
Drake
Justin Bieber
Shawn Hook
Shawn Mendes
The Weeknd
Walk Off The Earth
Should win: You’d be stupid to bet against the true Beliebers, even though other nominees are more worthy.
Will win: Justin Bieber