Noah Wade from Atwood Magazine shares comprehensive insights on the 'Big Four' categories for the 2025 Grammy Awards, as well as brief thoughts on additional categories across Pop, Country, Rap, and Rock genres. The 67th Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast this Sunday night on CBS, Paramount+, and live on live.GRAMMY.com starting at 8 p.m. EST / 5 p.m. PST!
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**General Field**
**Record of the Year**
- Now and Then – The Beatles
- Texas Hold ‘Em – Beyoncé
- Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter
- 360 – Charli xcx
- Birds of a Feather – Billie Eilish
- Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar
- Good Luck, Babe! – Chappell Roan
- Fortnight – Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone
**What Should Win** – Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar
**What Will Win** – Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar
Two tracks here spawned notable ‘cultural movements.’ “Good Luck, Babe!” is more wholesome and progressive, while “Not Like Us” brought much of the public together to rally against an artist who had been a major figure in contemporary music. The energy surrounding the latter has been strong enough to overshadow this artist's current and upcoming projects, though this could change post-Super Bowl. Between the two, I believe “Not Like Us” stands out more, although “Good Luck, Babe!” has received similar critical acclaim as “drivers license” by Olivia Rodrigo a couple of years ago, possibly swaying voters its way, which I find unappealing. These emotional perspectives may not weigh heavily in deciding the award based on overall musical quality, but other factors might play a role.
Had “Now and Then” come out during the early to mid-2010s, it might have had a decent chance of winning, but that is unlikely now. Instead, “Fortnight” and “Birds of a Feather” could be the safe picks, while “Espresso” and “Texas Hold ‘Em” might surprise us. The diverse pop offerings could ultimately hinder all of them, making space for Lamar to triumph due to lesser competition and by tapping into the current cultural climate.
**Album of the Year**
- New Blue Sun – Andre 3000
- Cowboy Carter – Beyoncé
- Short n’ Sweet – Sabrina Carpenter
- Brat – Charli xcx
- Djesse Vol. 4 – Jacob Collier
- Hit Me Hard and Soft – Billie Eilish
- The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess – Chappell Roan
- The Tortured Poets Department – Taylor Swift
**What Should Win** – Cowboy Carter – Beyoncé
**What Will Win** – Brat – Charli xcx
I feel I should not overlook Taylor Swift in this category, yet the truth is that TTPD, despite its impressive statistics, hasn't maintained a strong presence in the public mind. While I don’t think “Cowboy Carter” has had the same impact as “Renaissance,” its shock value and Beyoncé’s mostly passive response to its childlike conservatism help explain its continued success. “Cowboy Carter” seems more likely in comparison.
Just as the Academy tends to nominate Coldplay for every album they release, it seems they may be grooming Jacob Collier for the same treatment, which I hope they reconsider. If they needed to nominate an album widely appreciated by music enthusiasts, I would have preferred Jessica Pratt’s Here in the Pitch for that spot.
Billie, Sabrina, and Chappell are all solid contenders, and Andre 3000’s nomination could be the best outcome for those mainly engaged online. However, despite lacking the desired political impact, “Brat” has rightfully earned its place. How do you propose characterizing a party album of the year as a potential political statement, and how do you keep its significance alive beyond that notion? This album has been granted a unique transparency, which has remained undiminished since election outcomes.
**Song of the Year**
- A Bar Song (Tipsy) – Shaboozey
- Birds of a Feather – Billie Eilish
- Die With A Smile – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
- Fortnight – Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone
- Good Luck, Babe! – Chappell Roan
- Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar
- Please Please Please – Sabrina Carpenter
- Texas Hold ‘Em – Beyoncé
**What Should Win** – Die With A Smile – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
**What Will Win** – Birds of a Feather – Billie Eilish
This award primarily recognizes songwriting and lyricism, and I see only two strong contenders. “Die With A Smile” is the complete package. It features Bruno Mars, who, alongside Anderson .Paak, won with “Leave The Door Open
The Welsh indie legends might recognize that they are nearer to the end than the beginning with their 15th studio album, but amid their personal reflections on the time gone by, their political acumen remains as keen as ever.
Pictoria Vark's forthcoming second album, 'Nothing Sticks,' is characterized by the artist's strengthened sense of identity. Fueled by pulsating instrumentals and a driving spirit of transformation, this project signals a new chapter of acceptance and musical skill for Vark.
Penny and Sparrow effortlessly tackle tough questions in “Breakdown,” a candid, heartfelt, and whimsical indie folk confession – which serves as the last single from their highly anticipated eighth album, ‘Lefty.’
In her experimental debut album 'Nude #9,' Camille Schmidt, a Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter, reveals her inner self and encourages herself to enjoy the process.
The pair has also released a new track titled ‘Sylvia’ following their initial collaboration, ‘Sugar In The Tank’.
Selected by Mitch Mosk, this week's Editor's Picks showcases tracks from Bria Salmena, TOLEDO, Mon Rovîa, Mary Eliza, jasmine.4.t, and MEGGO!
Noah Wade from Atwood Magazine shares extensive insights on the 'Big Four' categories for the 2025 Grammy Awards, along with brief reflections on other categories in Pop, Country, Rap, and Rock. The 67th annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast this Sunday evening on CBS, Paramount+, and live on live.GRAMMY.com at 8 p.m. EST / 5 p.m. PST.