Gear up, Tigers — it’s Grammys season once again.
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards are taking place on Feb. 2, honouring music released from Sept. 16, 2023 through Aug. 30, 2024. The award ceremony features a total of 94 categories, though only 10-12 are typically televised.
From Album of the Year to Record of the Year, there’s a lot to cover. Here’s my predictions for the winners in the big four categories.
Album of the Year
Nominees:
HIT ME HARD AND SOFT – Billie Eilish
The Tortured Poets Department – Taylor Swift
New Blue Sun – André 3000
COWBOY CARTER – Beyoncé
BRAT – Charli xcx
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess – Chappell Roan
Short n’ Sweet – Sabrina Carpenter
Djesse Vol. 4 – Jacob Collier
Winner prediction: Billie Eilish, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
This cycle saw several major album releases. Taylor Swift, who won the award last year for Midnights, holds the title for most wins in this category. However — compared to her previous works — I found The Tortured Poets Department lacking in depth, making a win unlikely.
Despite being the most Grammy-awarded artist in history, Beyoncé has yet to claim a win in this category. COWBOY CARTER is a classic Beyoncé album, blending family dynamics, politics and upbeat dance songs. But while its themes had potential, the messages fall flat and don’t resonate with audiences as strongly as other albums. Still, the Grammys might award her as recognition for her past works.
BRAT blends cutting-edge electronic production with relevant, poignant lyrics, exploring complicated relationship dynamics with upbeat dance sound. For this reason, I think BRAT should win in this category. However, its party-culture motif may overshadow deeper themes for some listeners.
Despite strong competition, I believe Billie Eilish will take home the award for HIT ME HARD AND SOFT. With Finneas’s production and Eilish’s elevated vocal range, the album delivers nuanced lyricism and builds on her Grammy-winning streak.
Song of the Year
Nominees:
Fortnight – Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone
BIRDS OF A FEATHER – Billie Eilish
Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar
Good Luck, Babe! – Chappell Roan
Please Please Please – Sabrina Carpenter
A Bar Song (Tipsy) – Shaboozey
Die With A Smile – Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
TEXAS HOLD ‘EM – Beyoncé
Winner prediction: Billie Eilish, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”
“TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” and “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” should not win this category. Although both are fun, catchy songs, they lack depth within their writing. Rap is often ignored in this category, and because of this I can’t imagine “Not Like Us” winning. “Die With A Smile” is a strong contender, given it seems as though it was written in hopes of securing a win. “Good Luck Babe!” could pose competition as well, though I think it is better suited to win Record of the Year.
I see “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” winning this category. It focuses on an everlasting relationship in Eilish’s life, effortlessly capturing the feeling of love for another, in a way that listeners can apply to special people in their own lives.
Record of the Year
Nominees:
Fortnight – Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone
BIRDS OF A FEATHER – Billie Eilish
Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar
Good Luck, Babe! – Chappell Roan
Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter
360 – Charli xcx
Now and Then – The Beatles
TEXAS HOLD ‘EM – Beyoncé
Winner prediction: Chappell Roan, “Good Luck, Babe!”
It’s certainly possible that Charli xcx’s “360” will win this award. The record has an iconic sound, used by Charli xcx as a motif throughout BRAT — almost as a tagline. Her vocals are tastefully manipulated to fit the club aesthetic. “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” is another challenger, balancing soothing vocals with electronic synth production. Throughout the song, Eilish’s vocals are often echoed, emphasizing her delicate voice. Although catchy, “Espresso” is far too shallow to win this award.
I see “Good Luck Babe!” winning this award. The production perfectly mirrors the agonizing feeling of the lyrics. Roan also tastefully reintroduces an ‘80s sound with her own twist. The song ends with powerful belting from Roan, bringing the song home.
Best New Artist
Nominees:
Chappell Roan
Sabrina Carpenter
Benson Boone
Khruangbin
Shaboozey
Doechii
Teddy Swims
Raye
Winner prediction: Chappell Roan
I believe Roan will take home the award for Best New Artist. Though strong cases could be presented for many of the other artists, Roan is the most timeless and groundbreaking choice.
Despite Carpenter’s major rise to stardom last year, I do not think she has enough flavour to win this award. Her music style tends to feel somewhat conventional, and while many of her songs are great, they fall short of offering a distinctive sound. The same goes for Benson Boone.
Doechii is another strong competitor —- she has many tracks that break barriers and introduce new concepts. However, I think Roan will win over Doechii due to Roan’s substantial success on the charts and across social media.
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