2020 Grammys
I have completed my 2nd annual review of the album of the year Grammy nominations. 2020 marks the 62nd edition of the awards. I had a really difficult time determining this years winner. So many good artists, putting out strong music. I was very impressed and can almost guarantee a wrong prediction on my part. Albeit, here we go!
Vampire Weekend - Father Of The Bride - Please refer to my post earlier this year regarding this album. In short, it is my favorite of 2019. A project that took 6 years does not disappoint in any way. Vampire Weekend has made so many great records, and I hope this is the one that brings it home. It is a beautiful composition and I am cheering for them all the way. Unfortunately, I don't think they will win. Indie rock still trying to find a place in The Grammys eyes.
Bon Iver - i, i - the most intriguing album of the year. To be honest, I almost turned it off after listening to the first 3 songs. It begins mostly with sounds, and recordings of small discussions in the studio. I felt like I was listening to an unfinished product. Lucky for me, this annual project FORCES me to go through each body of work in it's entirety. By the fifth song, "i, i" finds it's footing and becomes a magnificent piece of art. The more I repeated the album, the more I enjoyed it and appreciated it's beauty. At times, I felt it could be the winner. But at the end of the day, just a little too strange and not good enough.
Lana Del Rey - Norman F***ing Rockwell! - Maybe Lana's best work since Ultraviolence. She finds her voice again (lyrically, and vocally), and harmonizes with great production and sound. The title of the album lead me to believe there may be some story or message, but there was not. I've always been a huge fan of Lana, and feel Born To Die is one of the greatest records of all time. Her winning would be a pleasure, however she takes little risk on this album and doesn't capture the mainstream crowd in any way. Overall, I loved Norman F***ing Rockwell!, but can't see it winning.
Billie Eilish - WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? - Billie Eilish is the new, great thing in music. She is unique, talented, and original in her own way. The 18 y/o phenom has taken the music industry by storm, and is being praised as the 2nd coming. I have been a little more skeptical. Her hit single "Bad Guy" does not do it for me, in fact I detest that song. I will be honest, her album is not bad. She has a great voice and her lyrics are beyond her age. However the album is overproduced; which overshadows and overpowers much of her talent. Her soft voice is difficult to understand, and can only be heard by her teen angst and college super fans. Given all the hype, she definitely could win. But in my opinion she is not close to deserving of the crown.
Ariana Grande - thank u, next - Ariana Grande is quickly becoming this generation's Mariah Carey. Matching her note for note, and bragging a similar range she is a certified hitmaker. The production on this project is heavy, and isn't your typical whimsical, pop album. It's sexy and strong. Next to "Sweetener", "thank u, next" might be her best work to date. I've been delighted to watch her growth as an artist. Starting as a side-kick on a Nickelodeon singing show, and developing into a chart topper. The album deserves to recognized on this stage, but doesn't appear to be the winner. It lacks depth, and contains a lot of filler. Something (most) of the others do not.
H.E.R. - I Used To Know Her - I love H.E.R. so much. If you refer back to my Grammy predictions last year, she was my hopeful winner. Instead, she just won R&B album of the year, which is still a grand accomplishment. Less than a year later, she releases another masterpiece. "I Used To Know Her" is wonderful. Crooning and rapping through beautiful production, H.E.R. has no boundaries. She uses soul and R&B to catch the listener, than drives them through moments of poetry. Her powerful messages and strong lyrics prove she is here to stay. It pains me to say this is not the winner. Although I feel she took risks, and put out a different piece of work (compared to last year), the competition is just too stiff and I don't think she can overcome it. You could say, "it's not H.E.R., it's them". I am pleased by her creativity and look forward to anything she releases.
Lil Nas X - 7 - aside from containing the most popular song of the year, this album does not deserve it's nomination. Lil Nas' hit Old Town Road is genius in my (unpopular) opinion. Blending hip hop and country is a bizarre cross-over, but I respect his boldness and appreciate the achievement. Unfortunately, the rest of the album (all 8 songs of it) is terrible. He uses production and catchy hooks to hide behind poor lyrics and generic sounds. I apologize for the harshness, but a short album with 2 of the same songs (yes 1 original, 1 remix) should not be on this stage. I like Lil Nas X, and hope he doesn't end up a one-hit wonder. But to be considered the best album of the year, he needs to be better.
Lizzo - Cuz I Love You - ladies and gentlemen, we've reached the peak. This is the album of the year, hands down. "Cuz I Love You" boasts everything the award represents: diversity, range, composition, and writing. She derives sounds from R&B, hip hop, blues, pop, and even a little jazz (yes, she's a brilliant flutist). With strong vocals, Lizzo preaches messages we should all be singing. Be yourself, be proud of who you are, and don't let others bring you down. Her positive vibes and powerful sentiments, teach us to be colorblind and respect our women. The album is so good, I'm sick of it. And I think that's why many people would disagree with my opinion. You can't turn on the radio, watch TV, or go to a bar without this album playing on repeat. "Cuz I Love You" has been overplayed to death, and it's important to remember the first time you heard it. This may have been 4 years ago, when it was originally released (the deluxe version re-release allows it to be nominated for 2019). Unfortunately it took us this long to recognize the genius and talent that is Lizzo. The Grammys should do the same and give her the crown she deserves. She earned it.
My Grammy Snubs:
Tyler the Creator - Igor
Taylor Swift - Lover
Maggie Rogers - Heard It In A Past Life
James Blake - Assume Form
Vampire Weekend - Father Of The Bride - Please refer to my post earlier this year regarding this album. In short, it is my favorite of 2019. A project that took 6 years does not disappoint in any way. Vampire Weekend has made so many great records, and I hope this is the one that brings it home. It is a beautiful composition and I am cheering for them all the way. Unfortunately, I don't think they will win. Indie rock still trying to find a place in The Grammys eyes.
What I Want To Win
Bon Iver - i, i - the most intriguing album of the year. To be honest, I almost turned it off after listening to the first 3 songs. It begins mostly with sounds, and recordings of small discussions in the studio. I felt like I was listening to an unfinished product. Lucky for me, this annual project FORCES me to go through each body of work in it's entirety. By the fifth song, "i, i" finds it's footing and becomes a magnificent piece of art. The more I repeated the album, the more I enjoyed it and appreciated it's beauty. At times, I felt it could be the winner. But at the end of the day, just a little too strange and not good enough.
Biggest Surprise
Lana Del Rey - Norman F***ing Rockwell! - Maybe Lana's best work since Ultraviolence. She finds her voice again (lyrically, and vocally), and harmonizes with great production and sound. The title of the album lead me to believe there may be some story or message, but there was not. I've always been a huge fan of Lana, and feel Born To Die is one of the greatest records of all time. Her winning would be a pleasure, however she takes little risk on this album and doesn't capture the mainstream crowd in any way. Overall, I loved Norman F***ing Rockwell!, but can't see it winning.
Comeback Story Of The Year
Billie Eilish - WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? - Billie Eilish is the new, great thing in music. She is unique, talented, and original in her own way. The 18 y/o phenom has taken the music industry by storm, and is being praised as the 2nd coming. I have been a little more skeptical. Her hit single "Bad Guy" does not do it for me, in fact I detest that song. I will be honest, her album is not bad. She has a great voice and her lyrics are beyond her age. However the album is overproduced; which overshadows and overpowers much of her talent. Her soft voice is difficult to understand, and can only be heard by her teen angst and college super fans. Given all the hype, she definitely could win. But in my opinion she is not close to deserving of the crown.
For The Kids
Ariana Grande - thank u, next - Ariana Grande is quickly becoming this generation's Mariah Carey. Matching her note for note, and bragging a similar range she is a certified hitmaker. The production on this project is heavy, and isn't your typical whimsical, pop album. It's sexy and strong. Next to "Sweetener", "thank u, next" might be her best work to date. I've been delighted to watch her growth as an artist. Starting as a side-kick on a Nickelodeon singing show, and developing into a chart topper. The album deserves to recognized on this stage, but doesn't appear to be the winner. It lacks depth, and contains a lot of filler. Something (most) of the others do not.
The Evolution of Pop
H.E.R. - I Used To Know Her - I love H.E.R. so much. If you refer back to my Grammy predictions last year, she was my hopeful winner. Instead, she just won R&B album of the year, which is still a grand accomplishment. Less than a year later, she releases another masterpiece. "I Used To Know Her" is wonderful. Crooning and rapping through beautiful production, H.E.R. has no boundaries. She uses soul and R&B to catch the listener, than drives them through moments of poetry. Her powerful messages and strong lyrics prove she is here to stay. It pains me to say this is not the winner. Although I feel she took risks, and put out a different piece of work (compared to last year), the competition is just too stiff and I don't think she can overcome it. You could say, "it's not H.E.R., it's them". I am pleased by her creativity and look forward to anything she releases.
Miss Consistent
Lil Nas X - 7 - aside from containing the most popular song of the year, this album does not deserve it's nomination. Lil Nas' hit Old Town Road is genius in my (unpopular) opinion. Blending hip hop and country is a bizarre cross-over, but I respect his boldness and appreciate the achievement. Unfortunately, the rest of the album (all 8 songs of it) is terrible. He uses production and catchy hooks to hide behind poor lyrics and generic sounds. I apologize for the harshness, but a short album with 2 of the same songs (yes 1 original, 1 remix) should not be on this stage. I like Lil Nas X, and hope he doesn't end up a one-hit wonder. But to be considered the best album of the year, he needs to be better.
Why Are You On This List
Lizzo - Cuz I Love You - ladies and gentlemen, we've reached the peak. This is the album of the year, hands down. "Cuz I Love You" boasts everything the award represents: diversity, range, composition, and writing. She derives sounds from R&B, hip hop, blues, pop, and even a little jazz (yes, she's a brilliant flutist). With strong vocals, Lizzo preaches messages we should all be singing. Be yourself, be proud of who you are, and don't let others bring you down. Her positive vibes and powerful sentiments, teach us to be colorblind and respect our women. The album is so good, I'm sick of it. And I think that's why many people would disagree with my opinion. You can't turn on the radio, watch TV, or go to a bar without this album playing on repeat. "Cuz I Love You" has been overplayed to death, and it's important to remember the first time you heard it. This may have been 4 years ago, when it was originally released (the deluxe version re-release allows it to be nominated for 2019). Unfortunately it took us this long to recognize the genius and talent that is Lizzo. The Grammys should do the same and give her the crown she deserves. She earned it.
Album of The Year - WINNER!!!!
My Grammy Snubs:
Tyler the Creator - Igor
Taylor Swift - Lover
Maggie Rogers - Heard It In A Past Life
James Blake - Assume Form
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