From left, bassist Guy Berryman, percussionist Will Champion, vocalist-pianist-guitarist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland of the band Coldplay, which has been nominated for four Brit awards. (EMI Music Canada)

Pop-rock quartet Coldplay and Welsh soul singer Duffy lead the pack of British recording artists vying for next month's Brit Awards, organizers announced Tuesday.

Coldplay scored four nominations, including for the coveted album of the year award, for the band's fourth studio album, Vida La Vida or Death and All His Friends (among 2008's bestselling CDs). The popular band is also nominated for best group, best live act and best British single for the track Viva La Vida.

Duffy, among the new slate of young female British singers, tied Coldplay with four Brit nods stemming from her smash debut album Rockferry. She will vie for best female solo artist, breakthrough act, best single for the tune Mercy and is also in contention for the best British album trophy.

Rounding out the best album nominees are Elbow for The Seldom Seen Kid, Radiohead for In Rainbows and The Ting Tings for We Started Nothing.

Among those nominated are:

• Male solo artist — Ian Brown; James Morrison; Paul Weller; Streets; Will Young.
• Female solo artist — Adele; Beth Rowley; Duffy; Estelle; MIA.
• Breakthrough act — Adele; Duffy; Last Shadow Puppets; Scouting For Girls; The Ting Tings.
• Group — Coldplay; Elbow; Girls Aloud; Radiohead; Take That.
• Live act — Coldplay; Elbow; Iron Maiden; Scouting For Girls; The Verve.
• Single — Adele, Chasing Pavements; Alexandra Burke, Hallelujah; Coldplay, Viva La Vida; Dizzee Rascal, Dance Wiv Me; Duffy, Mercy.

Veteran rockers AC/DC and their latest release, Black Ice, are nominated for best international album along with Fleet Foxes (Fleet Foxes), the Killers (Day & Age), Kings of Leon (Only By The Night) and MGMT (Oracular Spectacular). The five are also nominated for best international group.

Beyonce, Katy Perry, Pink, Gabriella Cilmi and Santogold make up the international solo female artist contenders. The male nominees include Jay-Z, Beck, Kanye West, Seasick Steve and Neil Diamond.

Organizers also revealed that Florence and the Machine has been named the critics' choice award winner for 2009.

The Brits producer award will also be handed out this year for the first time since 1998.

Dance duo Pet Shop Boys will be honoured with the Brit award for outstanding contribution to music at next month's televised gala, which will be hosted by pop star Kylie Minogue, actor James Corden and comedian Mathew Horne.

The Brit Awards, the U.K.'s prestigious annual music honours, will be presented Feb. 18 at London's Earls Court.