In that time, I'd like to believe that I've genewrally been some combination of knowledgeable, accessible and curious, writing the important music-centric stories that matter to everyone. However, I also recognize that I'm filling some pretty big shoes in this role, and that New Times readers have certain expectations for the paper's music coverage.
So, how about a little test?
This Sunday (Feb. 2), CBS will air the 67th annual Grammys. Put aside years of well-deserved criticism toward "music's biggest prize," and let's just say that despite all of that, the Grammys remain something worth talking about if not wholly relevant to the industry. Below, I've made my selections for the year's biggest prizes, with each category painfully considered in a thorough process. (I spun around a fidget toy, whirled around in my office chair and shrugged my best guess.)
If by Monday I've won more than I lose, then maybe I'll have a good shot of properly shepherding the music section toward prosperity. And if I dropped the ball big time, then I'm happy to hear it from you, the faithful reader. It's all about building out connection and fostering accountability, and if I can't do that, then I can't serve this city as I've fully intended.
Feel free to play along as you see fit. Remember: music fandom is weird and amazing, and we should have a little dumb but silly fun with it from time to time.
Best New Artist
- Benson Boone
- Doechii
- Chappell Roan
- Khruangbin
- Raye
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Shaboozey
- Teddy Swims
Winner: Chappell Roan. The thoughtful, unapologetically confrontational singer felt like a massive breath of fresh air across 2024, and made us reconsider pop and industry norms alike. Give the young performer her dues!
Record of the Year
- The Beatles, “Now and Then”
- Beyoncé, “Texas Hold ’Em”
- Billie Eilish, “Birds of a Feather”
- Chappell Roan, “Good Luck, Babe!”
- Charli XCX, “360”
- Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us”
- Sabrina Carpenter, “Espresso”
- Taylor Swift (featuring Post Malone), “Fortnight”
Winner: The Beatles. Folks, it’s the Fab Four up for a prize for the first time in some 30 years. If the Grammys committee doesn’t pick them, it’ll be most surprising thing they’ve done in years.
Album of the Year
- André 3000, “New Blue Sun”
- Beyoncé, “Cowboy Carter”
- Billie Eilish, ”Hit Me Hard and Soft”
- Chappell Roan, ”The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess”
- Charli XCX, ”Brat”
- Jacob Collier, “Djesse Vol. 4”
- Sabrina Carpenter, ”Short n’ Sweet”
- Taylor Swift, ”The Tortured Poets Department”
Winner: Taylor Swift. As with The Beatles' win, Swift-ian supremacy just feels natural for the Grammy folks. Sometimes you’ve got to give the industry cash cow their just desserts.
Song of the Year
- Beyoncé, “Texas Hold ’Em”
- Billie Eilish, “Birds of a Feather”
- Chappell Roan, “Good Luck, Babe!”
- Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us”
- Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, “Die With a Smile”
- Sabrina Carpenter. “Please Please Please”
- Shaboozey, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
- Taylor Swift (featuring Post Malone), “Fortnight”
Winner: Sabrina Carpenter. I’d almost picked Shaboozey cause it’d be so out-of-left-field. But Carpenter’s appropriately lusty ballad just feels like it’s more awards catnip.
Best Rap Album
- Common and Pete Rock, ”The Auditorium Vol. 1”
- Doechii, ”Alligator Bites Never Heal”
- Eminem, ”The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)”
- Future and Metro Boomin, ”We Don’t Trust You”
- J. Cole, ”Might Delete Later”
Winner: Eminem. Sort of like with Swift, Marshall Mathers makes an album and people want to praise it wherever possible. But, man oh man, it would be sweet if the upstart Doechii won instead.
Best Alternative Music Album
- Brittany Howard, ”What Now”
- Clairo, ”Charm”
- Kim Gordon, ”The Collective”
- Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, ”Wild God”
- St. Vincent, ”All Born Screaming”
Winner: St. Vincent. This has to Annie Clark’s most perfect record to date: equal parts edgy and raw and still quite accessible. Sometimes true winners genuinely land the nod.
Best Rock Performance
- The Beatles, “Now and Then”
- The Black Keys, “Beautiful People (Stay High)”
- Green Day, “The American Dream Is Killing Me”
- Idles, “Gift Horse”
- Pearl Jam, “Dark Matter”
- St. Vincent. “Broken Man”
Winner: Green Day. Yes, The Beatles will have their supremacy. But Green Day will also get the nod for their accessible (but entertaining) brand of punk rock tailored for the Grammys audience.
Best Alternative Music Performance
- Cage the Elephant, “Neon Pill”
- Fontaines D.C., “Starburster”
- Kim Gordon, “Bye Bye”
- Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, “Song of the Lake”
- St. Vincent, “Flea”
Winner: St. Vincent. No hate on the other nominees, but St. Vincent really does feel like the standout for all things alternative. Even if that tag continues to be dumb/problematic for awards shows.
Best Pop Vocal Album
- Ariana Grande, “Eternal Sunshine”
- Billie Eilish, “Hit Me Hard and Soft”
- Chappell Roan, “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess”
- Sabrina Carpenter, “Short n’ Sweet”
- Taylor Swift, “The Tortured Poets Department”
Winner: Chappell Roan. This was the hardest pick, but Roan just felt like she’d nab another prize. Swift could swoop in once more, but Roan’s just made the right kind of noise over the last year or so.
Best Dance/Electronic Recording
- Disclosure, “She’s Gone, Dance On”
- Four Tet, “Loved”
- Fred Again.. and Baby Keem, “Leavemealone”
- Justice and Tame Impala, “Neverender”
- Kaytranada (featuring Childish Gambino), “Witchy”
Winner: Justice and Tame Impala. This superstar pairing of electronic music giants just feels so obvious. Again, though, could a dark horse like Four Tet get a little Grammy love?
Best Dance Pop Recording
- Ariana Grande,“Yes, And?”
- Billie Eilish, “L’Amour de Ma Vie [Over Now Extended Edit]”
- Charli XCX, “Von Dutch”
- Madison Beer, “Make You Mine”
- Troye Sivan, “Got Me Started”
Winner: Charli XCX. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: 2024 was the year of “Brat.” The only reason she won’t take home more awards is due to the sizable competition.
The 67th Grammys will air live Sunday Feb. 2 on CBS (and Paramount+ globally). This year's performers include Shakira, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter. Head to Grammys.com for more info.
