2024 Grammy Awards: A look at eight nominees for Album of the Year

1. Midnights by Taylor Swift: The nomination makes Swift the first songwriter to score seven nominations in the category so far, beating Sir Paul McCartney and Lionel Richie, who were nominated in the category for a total of six times each. Swift’s tenth studio album — and the crowning jewel in her extensive discography — dives deeper into pop experimentalism, steering away from the indie folk journeys that folklore and evermore — both released in 2020 — so calmly encompassed; Midnights silhouettes the life of a beloved, high-profile ‘Anti-Hero’ and includes some of her most ambitious tracks yet. It’s this fearless ambition that makes Swift no stranger to the GRAMMYs. On top of nearly 50 nominations total, the 12-time GRAMMY winner is the first and only woman solo artist to win Album Of The Year three times for her solo recordings. As Swifties know, she loves to break her own records — and if Midnights takes home GRAMMY gold, Swift would become the artist with the most Album Of The Year wins of all time. The Midnights nomination marks a climax for Swift’s career, and even though the singer has collected countless milestones, this year might be her most colossal yet. As she continues to bring all of her musical eras to life, Swift isn’t just reliving her musical past — she’s writing her future.

2. Endless Summer Vacation by Miley Cyrus: Earlier this year, Cyrus achieved great success with her liberating lead single, Flowers, breaking records and embodying the essence of independence. This spirit of freedom is at the core of her latest album, Endless Summer Vacation. While the title suggests an eternal journey, Cyrus is no stranger to change. Whether she’s transforming her style or evolving her aesthetic, the seasoned pop queen recognises that creative adaptability is one of her many strengths. Endless Summer Vacation showcases this versatility, with Cyrus embracing the warmth of Violet Chemistry and reflecting on days when she Used To Be Young. Her distinctive gravelly drawl complements the album’s disco-infused, beachy production — a significant departure from the punk rock vibe of her previous work, Plastic Hearts (2020), and the power pop-trap sound featured on her 2019 EP, SHE IS COMING. This Album Of The Year nomination for her own work is a notable milestone for Cyrus, marking her first in this category (she received a previous nod for her feature on Lil Nas X's 2021 LP Montero). The recognition not only highlights Endless Summer Vacation as a standout moment in her career but also applauds her resilience after years of musical evolution.

3. Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd by Lana Del Rey: Lana Del Rey pays homage to kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending broken pottery with gold, in her ninth studio album. Now, with a nomination for Album Of The Year, she stands the chance of clinching GRAMMY gold. Her previous nomination in this prestigious category was for Norman Fucking Rockwell! at the 2020 GRAMMYs. While NFR! meandered along the West Coast, creating a soft rock landscape inspired by '70s Americana, Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd deviates from Del Rey's usual worldbuilding. Instead, the singer allowed spirituality to guide her musical journey, exploring genres from gospel to trap. Despite being Del Rey's most organic album to date, Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd maintains an ethereal quality. Fearlessly, she delves into the multifaceted aspects of her identity, candidly addressing personal themes such as religion, mortality, and family. Much like a pottery artist delicately practicing kintsugi, Del Rey approaches music-making with a discerning eye and an open heart. She seeks ways to craft beauty from imperfections and fractures —after all, that’s how the light finds its way in.

4. World Music Radio by Jon Batiste: On the first track of World Music Radio, Jon Batiste emphatically asserts to the audience that music transcends mere passive enjoyment; it is an immersive experience. This proclamation, however, is not from Batiste himself but rather from the interstellar radio host, Billy Bob. Narrated by the fictional Billy Bob, Batiste’s 21-song concept album is ingeniously crafted to emulate a genuine radio station. Amidst intermittent static and interspersed messages between songs, the station plays host to a myriad of illustrious musical guests, spanning from Lana Del Rey to NewJeans to Lil Wayne. From seamless DJ interludes to crystalline saxophone solos to effervescent piano riffs, World Music Radio caters to a diverse audience within its one-hour duration. With a collection of five GRAMMYs, including one for Album Of The Year, Batiste comprehends the importance of pushing the boundaries in music. Consequently, World Music Radio not only challenges conventional genres but also prompts contemplation on how we can foster a more inclusive world. As per an Instagram post, Batiste’s album endeavours to “re-examine and redefine terms like world music as they exist in the culture.” The prefix “re” encapsulates the essence of music: reliving memories, reinventing established norms, and redefining our preconceived notions.

5. the record by boygenius: In less than a year since their debut at Coachella and undertaking two tours, boygenius find themselves in contention for the GRAMMY for Album Of The Year. Soaring to headliner status this year, the indie rock supergroup — comprising Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus — unveiled their debut album in spring. Following a successful EP released five years earlier, the album proves well worth the wait: brimming with themes of arson dreams, $20 bills, and calls to kill the bourgeois, it exudes charisma and playful camaraderie. This marks boygenius’ first collective GRAMMY nomination, alongside the debut nominations for Baker and Dacus. Bridgers, a four-time GRAMMY nominee at the 63rd GRAMMY Awards for Punisher, adds another nod to her achievements. Yet, the group’s recognition at the 2024 show extends beyond Album Of The Year, with six nominations in total, including Record Of The Year. The significance of the record lies in its testament to the trio’s vibrant, enduring friendship — particularly, a bond rooted in queerness and a rejection of the notion that women in the industry should be rivals. The album profoundly and unmistakably reflects the weight of their organic bond, symbolizing much more than just 12 songs.

6. The Age Of Pleasure by Janelle Monáe: The Age Of Pleasure ushers in Monáe’s vision of rapture, dreamily blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. The 10-time GRAMMY-nominated artiste has long defied labels, whether it be regarding genre or their personal identity, and their latest album celebrates love in all its colour and fluidity. It’s all smooth sailing in The Age Of Pleasure. Soulfully, the multihyphenate singer swims through romantic R&B, plunges into funky rap, and bathes in soft pop radiance — but above all, Monáe floats. She’s untroubled and unbothered, and that’s more than enough to warrant raising a glass. Monáe’s nomination for Album Of The Year acknowledges not just the thrill of living a life carefree, but also celebrates the divinity of all-encompassing love. The album is more than hips and lips galore: beyond giving into passion, it’s about cherishing community and, most importantly, choosing joy for yourself.

7. GUTS by Olivia Rodrigo: The youngest nominee on the list, Olivia Rodrigo had already clinched three GRAMMY wins before reaching her 20th birthday. The singer/songwriter of the hit drivers license predictably sidestepped the sophomore slump. In her spirited second album, GUTS, Rodrigo ventures more into punk-infused pent-up rage compared to the crying-on-the-bathroom-floor heartache of her 2021 debut, SOUR. Remarkably, her determination has earned her a second consecutive GRAMMY nomination for Album Of The Year. Whether expressing self-reflection through piano-led ballads or pop-rock anthems, Rodrigo addresses with her trademark refreshing charm themes of withered relationships, growing pains, and everything in between. From the gritty, Joan Didion-inspired all american b— to the leave-him-to-rot breakup anthem vampire, GUTS skillfully makes a statement while retaining an element of fun. Rodrigo, the recipient of the GRAMMY for Best New Artist at the 2022 ceremony, comprehends the resonant power of her pen, and her rapid rise to fame parallels her burgeoning talent. Almost two years have passed since the meteoric success of drivers license, yet Rodrigo shows no sign of slowing down.

8. SOS by SZA: After keeping her fans in suspense for five years, the prolific GRAMMY winner unveiled her sophomore album, SOS, in 2022 to widespread critical acclaim. Despite its title suggesting a sense of helplessness, SOS exudes strength. SZA comprehends the profound power of vulnerability, skillfully wielding it with both force and delicacy. As the album navigates themes of loneliness and insecurity, occasional features from friends like Don Toliver, Phoebe Bridgers, and Travis Scott enhance the musical journey, yet the spotlight remains firmly on SZA’s self-discovery. Just two years ago, the R&B star secured her first GRAMMY, sharing the award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance with Doja Cat for their infectious collaboration, Kiss Me More, at the 2022 GRAMMYs. While the pop-rap collaboration emanates a delightful lost-in-the-moment vibe, SOS adopts a broader perspective on life. In her single Shirt, SZA candidly admits to being “'in the dark right now/ feeling lost but I like it,” and these glimpses of self-assurance show her light at the end of the tunnel. The Album Of The Year nomination recognizes the singer’s personal growth since her 2017 debut Ctrl. Despite singing about the fear of being defined by others, SOS boldly rejects external terms and stands as a powerful reclamation: in defying others, SZA rediscovers herself.

The 2024 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 66th GRAMMY Awards, will return to Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, February 4, 2024