Grammy nominees were announced this week, and the fight for the coveted title, Record of the Year, is as fierce as ever. The songs in contest have broken many records on their own, with Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” breaking the record for radio audience, garnering over 242.65 listeners, and Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” breaking Spotify streaming records, achieving over 100 million plays.

Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” was released in April with tons of hype, as it was their first charting material in eight years. It is unmistakably groovy, seamlessly integrating a Nile Rodgers guitar riff with the memorable falsetto of Pharrell Williams. It sounds like a 70s disco dance track meeting with Daft Punk’s electronic past. The robotic mixture of modern lyrics with an old school jam makes it listenable, over and over again.

The second competitor, Imagine Dragons’ “Radioactive” is a standout from the alternative scene. The band has a reputation for a synth-based, alt-pop, folky sound, but make no mistake, it is a dark piece. The song has clear dubstep inflections, riddled with a deep bass line. Emotion rips through the vocals, the lyrics post-apocalyptic. The rest of the album may be much lighter, but this song is an undeniable alternative anthem.

The third record in competition comes from fresh-faced Lorde with her dynamic voice. She stepped onto the scene with hit single “Royals.” The lyrics are powerful and attention-grabbing, casting a sidelong glance at luxury. It claims itself to be alternative, but its structure is pure pop. Instrumentally, it is essentially stripped, featuring little more than some finger clicking and a repetitive drum beat. However, that’s what lures listeners in. Her dominating vocals and choral buildups make this a catchy, relatable track.

Next is Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out of Heaven,” by a man no stranger to the charts. This up-tempo track is most noted for its honey sweet vocals, and deeply relationship-centered lyrics, which Mars somehow keeps sounding smooth. His aesthetic continues to work for listeners, delivering a rock reggae vibe with a glossy, pop sound and undeniably luxurious synth.

Lastly is a song that has drawn up much controversy, yet with its old funk beat, Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” still reels in praise from listeners and critics. A deep bass line and shining percussion opens and carries through the song, making the song seem a nod to R&B, while keeping itself rooted in brisk and frisky pop. It’s authentic and decidedly modern, while keeping a lush, old-school funk that makes it so listenable.