The Brit Awards Nominations 2012

Ed Sheeran is expected to be the big winner at next month's Brit Awards after receiving more nominations than even Adele.

The Suffolk songwriter, whose song "The A Team" received 20 million YouTube views, earned four nominations, one more than Adele and Jessie J. But Sheeran has been called the leader of "the New Boring", a cultural movement which supposedly includes Adele and Coldplay.

The nominations reflect a year in which singer/songwriters have dominated the charts, at the expense of traditional guitar-based rock.

The British Female category is now the most competitive in the list. Last year's winner, Laura Marling, defends her crown against Florence and the Machine, Jessie J, Adele and Kate Bush.

2012 BRIT Awards nominees:

British male solo artist
Ed Sheeran
James Blake
James Morrison
Noel Gallagher
Professor Green

British female solo artist
Adele
Florence + the Machine
Jessie J
Kate Bush
Laura Marling

British breakthrough act
Anna Calvi
Ed Sheeran
Emeli Sandé
Jessie J
The Vaccines

British group
Arctic Monkeys
Chase & Status
Coldplay
Elbow
Kasabian

British single
Adele, Someone Like You
Ed Sheeran, The A Team
Example, Changed The Way You Kissed Me
Jessie J ft. B.o.B., Price Tag
JLS ft. Dev, She Makes Me Wanna
Military Wives/Gareth Malone, Wherever You Are
Olly Murs ft. Rizzle, Kicks Heart Skips A Beat
One Direction, What Makes You Beautiful
Pixie Lott, All About Tonight
The Wanted, Glad You Came

Mastercard British album of the year
Adele, 21
Coldplay, Mylo Xyloto
Ed Sheeran, +
Florence + the Machine, Ceremonials
PJ Harvey, Let England Shake

International male solo artist
Aloe Blacc
Bon Iver
Bruno Mars
David Guetta
Ryan Adams

International female solo artist
Beyonce Knowles
Bjork
Feist
Lady Gaga
Rihanna

International group
Fleet Foxes
Foo Fighters
Jay-Z/Kanye West
Lady Antebellum
Maroon 5

International breakthrough act
Aloe Blacc
Bon Iver
Foster The People
Lana Del Rey
Nicki Minaj

Outstanding contribution to music award
Blur

Critics' choice
1st: Emeli Sande
2nd: Maverick Sabre
3rd: Michael Kiwanuka

British producer
Paul Epworth
Flood
Ethan Johns