TORONTO -- It's no illusion: Magic! is the leading nominee at this year's Juno Awards, reeling in five nominations after conquering the summer with their reggae-wafted No. 1 hit "Rude."
Legendary troubadour Leonard Cohen and Calgary dance producer Kiesza took in four nominations apiece in a field that seems more sprawling than usual.
Here are some of the most notable snubs, surprises and quirks buried among the 40-plus Juno categories:
FRANCOPHONES CALLING
Quebec's still-robust album sales helped to propel several acts into marquee categories -- even though they're not as well known outside La Belle Province.
Bobby Bazini, a two-time nominee back in 2011, earned nominations for the fan choice award and album of the year after his "Where I Belong" (which is sung in English) stood as 2014's top-selling album by a Canadian artist.
Serge Fiori's self-titled album finished second on that sales list -- moving 99,000 units to Bazini's 102,000 -- and he was also rewarded with album of the year and fan choice nominations, as well as a nod for francophone album of the year.
BIEBER-FREE JUNOS
For the first time since 2009, bouncy banged heartthrob-turned-tattoo-canvas Justin Bieber failed to land a single Juno nomination.
The Stratford, Ont., native has racked up 14 nominations and five wins in his short career, most notably winning pop album of the year back in 2011 for "My World 2.0."
His snub opens up the race for the fan choice award, which his passionate devotees have long tilted in his favour. He'd won that category four years in a row. This year's fan choice nominees are: Arcade Fire, Bazini, Michael Buble, Cohen, Drake, Fiori, Hedley, Magic!, Nickelback and You+Me.
HAMMER HITS
With the March 15 Junos bash being held in Hamilton, the Steel City boasts a long list of hometown nominees.
Among the Hamilton-area award contenders are psych-dance composer Caribou (up for electronic album of the year), production legend Daniel Lanois (for instrumental album of the year) and the Tom Wilson-led Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, nominated for roots and traditional album of the year.
Perhaps most prominently representing Hamilton will be rockers Arkells, who landed two nominations -- including group of the year -- as well as a performance spot on the CTV awards broadcast.
RALLYING TALLIES
Some of the Junos' longtime favourites saw their career nominations swell to impressive proportions with Tuesday's announcement.
Artist of the year contender Bryan Adams received his staggering 59th Juno nomination (he's won 19 times), Buble picked up his 32nd and controversial rockers Nickelback, three-time nominees this year, now have 35.
Meanwhile, Sarah McLachlan's two nominations give her 26 lifetime, Hedley's three brought their count to 29 (with only two wins) and Drake, with two nominations this year, has now been in the running for 22 Junos in his young career.
BEGINNER'S PLUCK
Neither Magic! nor Kiesza had ever been up for a Juno before hot-stepping into a collective nine nominations this year.
Other first-time Juno honorees who landed multiple nominations include Toronto indie-pop breakout Alvvays, Montreal electronic pair Adventure Club, Toronto DJ Glenn Morrison, and Toronto electronic duo Zeds Dead.
You might also count You+Me, the folk collaboration between St. Catharines, Ont., songwriter Dallas Green and American pop star Pink.
They're up for a pair of awards -- the fan choice trophy and group of the year -- after releasing their chart-topping debut in October.
But their newcomer status is tainted by Green's fruitful Juno history, which has yielded 11 nominations and four wins between his City and Colour and Alexisonfire projects.
