Culture editors’ picks: The Grammys

The Grammys is airing live on Feb. 2 at 8 p.m. EST. For two self-proclaimed, chronically online pop culture fanatics, this is our Super Bowl.

2024 was a strong year for music, especially pop music. Artists like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx were unavoidable. But this begs the question: Who’s going home with a Grammy?

Don’t answer that. We’re going to tell you what we think. We selected a few categories that we feel somewhat qualified to speak on and decided to share our thoughts.

Record of the year

Nominees:

“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

Chloe’s pick: “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” — Billie Eilish

As much as I’m rooting for a Chappell Roan Grammys sweep, I have to remain rational. The academy loves Eilish, and rightfully so. “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” solidified itself as a global hit as soon as Eilish released “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT,” the album it debuted on.

Stella’s pick: “Espresso” — Sabrina Carpenter

By now, everyone has heard of “that me espresso,” a phrase made popular by Carpenter’s big hit, “Espresso.” The song infiltrated radio stations and TikTok For You Pages alike, making the catchy lyrics ring through people’s heads — willing or not — since its release. There’s no escaping “Espresso,” the tune that got Carpenter to where she is now, and the title “record of the year” is just calling its name.

Album of the year

Nominees:

“New Blue Sun” — André 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

Chloe’s pick: “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” — Chappell Roan

Personal biases aside, Roan had a fantastic year. Even with “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” as her first and only album, she’s been on tour, sold out venues, performed at plenty of festivals and made appearances on late-night shows. This record was (to my delight) inescapable.

However, I am a bit scared that Taylor Swift will secure yet another album of the year win, so I’m keeping a reluctant eye on “THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT.” Swifties, please don’t come for me.

Stella’s pick: “BRAT” – Charli xcx

Summer 2024 was dubbed “BRAT summer” in response to the success of Charli’s electronic pop masterpiece. In addition to the standard album which was career-defining in its own right, Charli released an entire remix album as well as a few bonus track hits. If 2024 was defined by just one album, it would be “BRAT.”

Song of the year

Nominees:

“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” — Sean Cook, Jerrel Jones, Joe Kent, Chibueze Collins Obinna, Nevin Sastry and Mark Williams

“BIRDS OF A FEATHER” — Billie Eilish O'Connell & Finneas O'Connell

“Die With A Smile” — Dernst Emile II, James Fauntleroy, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars & Andrew Watt

“Fortnight” — Jack Antonoff, Austin Post & Taylor Swift

"Good Luck, Babe!" — Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, Daniel Nigro & Justin Tranter

"Not Like Us" — Kendrick Lamar

"Please Please Please" — Amy Allen, Jack Antonoff & Sabrina Carpenter

"TEXAS HOLD 'EM" — Brian Bates, Atia Boggs, Beyoncé, Elizabeth Lowell Boland, Megan Bülow, Nate Ferraro & Raphael Saadiq

Chloe’s pick: “Die With A Smile” — Dernst Emile II, James Fauntleroy, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars & Andrew Watt

I know, this might seem like a random pick, especially in comparison to some of the other nominees. However, “Die With A Smile” spent four consecutive weeks on top of the Billboard Hot 100 and eight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200. The production on this track is amazing, and Gaga and Mars make a great pair. TikTok teens and grandmothers alike loved this song.

Stella’s pick: “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” — Billie Eilish O'Connell & Finneas O'Connell

There’s no denying “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” was a hit. It’s catchy, fun, upbeat and literally everywhere.

I mean, the song made it on Fortnite, so it deserves an award for that alone.

Every song in this category is here for a reason and each piece made its mark on the charts, but “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” took it to the next level. Billie & Finneas are one of the best songwriting duos out there, and it shows in the beauty and complexity of their work. 

Best new artist

Nominees:

Benson Boone

Sabrina Carpenter

Doechii

Khruangbin

Raye

Chappell Roan

Shaboozey

Teddy Swims

Chloe’s pick: Chappell Roan

Out of all of the artists on this list, I feel that Roan has definitely had the biggest (and well deserved) breakout in 2024. She already secured Best New Artist at the VMAs, so a Grammy for the same category just feels like the next step. 

Stella’s pick: Chappell Roan

I’ve always had mixed feelings about this category — as much as I love Sabrina Carpenter, I don’t understand how someone who has released six albums is eligible for “best new artist.” Because of this, I had to go with the legendary Chappell Roan.

Roan’s album is so fun, catchy, powerful and beautiful all in one. It also showcases moments of queer joy, as well as the not-so-great aspects of being a queer individual, and for something like that to make it so big in the charts is truly remarkable. Roan makes music the way she wants to and brings something so unique to the table, and for that I think she deserves this award.

Best solo pop performance

Nominees:

"BODYGUARD" — Beyoncé

"Espresso" — Sabrina Carpenter

"Apple" — Charli xcx

"BIRDS OF A FEATHER" — Billie Eilish

"Good Luck, Babe!" — Chappell Roan

Chloe’s pick: “Apple” — Charli xcx

“Apple” seemed to have taken the world by storm this summer. It’s catchy, danceable (see the “Apple” TikTok dance that Charli herself performs at concerts) and fun — the perfect pop song. Plus, as Stella previously mentioned, making it to Fortnite deserves an award, and “Apple” was not only added as a Jam Track but an emote as well. Don’t undermine its cultural impact!

Stella’s pick: “Good Luck, Babe!” — Chappell Roan

This was one of the most difficult categories to pick for, as four of the five songs nominated are on pretty much every one of my playlists. However, in terms of performance, “Good Luck, Babe!” steals the show. 

The vocals are unique and off-the-charts, showing off a range that the other nominees in this category do not achieve. It’s also just a powerful, stunning performance that shows a vulnerable side to Roan. “Apple” was definitely a close second, but “Good Luck, Babe!” deserves the win.

Best pop duo/group performance

Nominees:

"us." — Gracie Abrams Featuring Taylor Swift

"LEVII'S JEANS" — Beyoncé Featuring Post Malone

"Guess" — Charli xcx & Billie Eilish

"the boy is mine" — Ariana Grande, Brandy & Monica

"Die With A Smile" — Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars

Chloe’s pick: “Guess” — Charli xcx & Billie Eilish

Out of all the songs on this list, “Guess” is the strongest collaboration to me. Eilish and Charli are a fun pair, not taking anything too seriously, and their voices just mesh together nicely. I wouldn’t completely ignore “Die With A Smile,” though. It’s a great collaboration, and I do believe it could have a shot at winning, but “Guess” is truly the standout song for me.

Stella’s pick: “Guess” — Charli xcx & Billie Eilish

“Guess” has become one of my most favorite collaborations in a long time. It’s fun, catchy and even has a visually appealing music video to go along with it. Eilish and Charli each have their own verse, with Eilish’s verse being a direct response to what is sung by Charli prior.

While “us” is certainly a close second, I’m a big fan of collaborations where each artist gets their moment to shine, and Swift doesn’t get used nearly enough in the track for my liking.

Best pop vocal album

Nominees:

“Short n' Sweet” — Sabrina Carpenter

“HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” — Billie Eilish

“eternal sunshine” — Ariana Grande

“The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess” — Chappell Roan

“THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT” — Taylor Swift

Chloe’s pick: “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” — Billie Eilish

As someone who’s been listening to Eilish since her first EP, “don’t smile at me,” was released, I consider “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” to be her magnum opus.

The album tells a story and showcases Eilish’s vocal ability with every single song. Each track is different, but when you listen through the entire record, they flow together quite nicely. As much as I loved Carpenter and Roan’s releases, it just feels right for Eilish to win this category.

Stella’s pick: “Short n’ Sweet” — Sabrina Carpenter

It’s short, it’s sweet and it’s 100% Sabrina. Everything about this album is fun and perfect, and it shows off Carpenter’s vocal talent. The entire album is a performance, and the show she puts on with it really showcases this.

“Short n’ Sweet” is filled with chart-topping hits and some of Carpenter’s best, career-defining work. While every nominee in this category put out an excellent album and they probably make up my top five releases of the year, Carpenter wins this one.

Best dance pop recording

Nominees:

"Make You Mine" — Madison Beer

"Von dutch" — Charli xcx

"L’AMOUR DE MA VIE [OVER NOW EXTENDED EDIT]" — Billie Eilish

"yes, and?" — Ariana Grande

"Got Me Started" — Troye Sivan

Chloe’s pick: “Von dutch” — Charli xcx

For me, there’s no question here. “Von dutch” is a perfect example of the club classics that Charli sings about on “BRAT.” This track is danceable all the way through; It’s something that would be blasted in a nightclub, something that would have the entire crowd moving and hyped.

Stella’s pick: “yes, and?” — Ariana Grande

While it has some tough competition, Grande’s “yes, and?” deserves the award for best dance pop recording. It took over my TikTok For You Page right after its release, and rightfully so. It’s fun, empowering and bound to get stuck in your head after just one listen. “eternal sunshine” is some of Grande’s best work, and “yes, and?” was the perfect first single to set the tone for the entire album. 

The Grammys have a stacked collection of nominees this year, and there’s definitely some tough competition in every category. But as for who will actually take home the gramophone trophies on Feb. 2? Well, that’s up for the Recording Academy to decide.

powers40@miamioh.edu

southacr@miamoh.edu