The year 2025 was a big year for music, seeing new musical acts, artists expanding in their genres, and breaking new streaming records. I think the 2026 Grammys will be remembered for its incredible amount of talent and contributions to music.
Album of the Year: The nominees for Album Of The Year consist of Bad Bunny (DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS”), Justin Bieber (“SWAG”), Sabrina Carpenter (“Man’s Best Friend”), Clipse, Push T, and Malice (“Let God Sort Em Out”), Lady Gaga (“MAYHEM”), Kendrick Lamar (“GNX”), Leon Thomas (“MUTT”), and Tyler, The Creator (“Chromakopia”). The nominees this year are really interesting especially with three rap albums. Typically most rap albums are only nominated for other, “less prestigious categories” so I think it a good change for the Recording Academy to let in more variety. I loved “Chromakopia” and thought Tyler was pushing the boundaries even more than his past albums. The albums from Justin and Sabrina are nothing new and quite repetitive to what we’ve seen from them before. “GNX,” “MEYHEM,” and “MUTT” were all really solid albums but I think they all have had previous albums that were better. Bad Bunny is the clear winner, his album was fun and fresh and gives this category the energy that it was missing.
Song of the Year: The eight songs nominated for this category are Lady Gaga (“Abracadabra”), Doechii (“Anxiety”), ROSÉ and Bruno Mars (“APT”), Bad Bunny (“DtMF”), HUNTR/X (“Golden”), Kendrick Lamar and SZA (“Luther”), Sabrina Carpenter (“Manchild”), Billie Eilish (“WILDFLOWER”). “Anxiety” and “APT” were both catchy songs but overall lacked personality and interesting lyrics. Sabrina absolutely delivers in creating an anthem about emotionally unavailable men. Lady Gaga, Huntrix, both gave summer smash hits from Gaga’s embrace back to her darker works and Huntrix from their Netflix’ success. Bad Bunny gave a bittersweet song reminiscent of his childhood in Puerto Rico while also still being upbeat and exciting. Kendrick, SZA, and Billie created songs about love, however while the former is a sultry romance, Billie gives the listener a song of dating your friend’s ex. Her lyricism mixed with her powerful vocal range is what gives her my personal win in this category.
Record of the Year: This award is presented for artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to sales or chart position. While similar to Song Of The Year, it focuses more on a technical aspect of the song. Those nominated are Bad Bunny (“DtMF”), Sabrina Carpenter (“Manchild”), Doechii (“Anxiety”), Billie Eilish (“WILDFLOWER”), Lady Gaga (“Abracadabra”), Kendrick Lamar With SZA (“Luther”), Chappell Roan (“The Subway”), ROSÉ and Bruno Mars (“APT”). While most of these singles carried over from Song Of The Year, the only one that doesn’t is Chappell Roan’s “The Subway.” This song of her ordinary encounter on a train turns into a powerful display of yearning for her and mixed with Chappell’s belting vocals I would say she deserves this Grammy.
Best New Artist: Last year was big year upcoming artists, welcoming eight new musical acts for nomination. Olivia Dean, SOMBR, Alex Warren, Addison Rae, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, and The Marías. Each of these guests will perform at the Grammys in their own Best New Artist segment. I think that while these artists all give their own flair in the music world, the award is between Olivia Dean with her jazz-inspired melodies and The Marías with their indie-pop Latin infused singles.
