The 67th annual Grammy Awards are airing on Sunday, which means it’s time for a rundown of our predictions and our wishes for music’s biggest night. We’ll start by saying that — sorry, boys — 2024 was undoubtedly another year of girl pop, which means that Grammy hopefuls like Benson Boone and André 3000 likely will not be going home with gold in any of the top categories. Also, be on the lookout for mentions of disaster relief efforts as the broadcast airs from wildfire-stricken Los Angeles. Now, without further ado, the predictions:
Album of the Year
This year’s top prize remains a tightly contested race as we head into this year’s ceremony. We know what albums won’t win: Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet” may be good fun, but it’s not a standout amongst this year’s nominees. Taylor Swift’s seemingly annual entry in this category this year comes in the form of “The Tortured Poets Department,” a bloated and undercooked affair that could cause outrage if it secures her a fifth AOTY win before Beyoncé’s first. Beyoncé herself walks into the ceremony with arguably the best odds, mostly because she’s long overdue for this title — as she says in “Cowboy Carter” with the line, “AOTY, I ain’t win.” However, let’s hope she truly “ain’t stuntin’ ’bout them,” as Grammy voters could easily snub her again, especially for an album that’s her most uneven since 2011’s “4” and which has gained very little support in the country music community, as evidenced by this year’s Country Music Association Awards. Chappell Roan’s “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” is one of the year’s strongest albums, though her lack of legacy and willingness to court controversy could play against her with the voters. Charli XCX’s “Brat” certainly made a splash this year, and despite her claim that “You’re all about writing poems/ But I’m about throwing parties,” she’s crafted one of the most evocative and personal albums of the year. That being said, she may still be a little too far out of the mainstream to gain widespread support from voters. All this being said, Billie Eilish’s “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” is an easy bet for this category — and why not? She’s an absolute Grammy darling (hardly a year has passed since her debut in which she hasn’t come home with a top category award), and this album has seen her and her brother/collaborator Finneas soar to new commercial and musical heights.
Will win: Billie Eilish, “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT”
Could win: Beyoncé, “Cowboy Carter”
Should win: Charli XCX, “Brat”
Record of the Year
Record of the year, a more straightforward race, contains quite a few also-rans: Swift and Post Malone’s unremarkable “Fortnight,” Charli XCX’s overlooked “360,” Beyoncé’s straightforward “TEXAS HOLD ’EM” and The Beatles’ “Now and Then,” which receives a nomination more out of nostalgia than quality. Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” is an epic takedown, but its rather simple production doesn’t spell gold in this category. Roan’s devastating sapphic anthem “Good Luck, Babe!” has a chance here, especially due to the talents of rising star producer Dan Nigro. Eilish’s “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” is a great song and a strong contender, though if Eilish is already coming home well-awarded, voters may save this win for another category. Instead, the award will likely go to overdue pop-upstart Carpenter, whose addictive “Espresso” brought just the right beat and bravado to our summers.
Will win: Sabrina Carpenter, “Espresso”
Could win: Billie Eilish, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”
Should win: Chappell Roan, “Good Luck, Babe!”
Song of the Year
The song of the year, which awards just the songwriters — as opposed to record of the year which awards performers, producers and engineers — is a little more topsy-turvy. Songs like Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” Swift’s aforementioned “Fortnight,” Beyoncé’s “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” and Carpenter’s curiously nominated “Please Please Please” stand little chance. The Grammy’s love for Bruno Mars may not extend quite far enough to award “Die With a Smile,” his joint effort with Lady Gaga. Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!” could squeak out a win with a bit of luck. But the award will likely go to either Lamar or Eilish. Lamar’s “Not Like Us” brings the diss track to a whole new level, combining musical puns with pedophilia accusations on lines like “Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A minor,” while Eilish’s “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” features some of her most haunting lyrics and impressive performances to date.
Will win: Billie Eilish, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”
Could win: Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us”
Should win: Billie Eilish, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”
Best New Artist
This year boasts a stacked field, though the outcome looks pretty clear-cut. Artists like Khruangbin and Teddy Swims can be counted out quickly, and Shaboozey and Benson Boone’s hopes rest primarily on single songs. Doechii is an undeniable talent, but her rise to fame may not have been timed well for an award at this ceremony. Raye seems like a better pick to win songwriter of the year rather than best new artist. This means we come down to two: Carpenter and Roan. While both have become absolute pop darlings this year, Carpenter suffers for “Short n’ Sweet” being her sixth full-length album, while Roan has truly broken out in a way no artist has since Eilish did in 2019.
Will win: Chappell Roan
Could win: Sabrina Carpenter
Should win: Chappell Roan