Grammy Eligibility ends in 4 months, officially allowing the recording academy to settle down, wittle out the great from the good and officially march towards February, where music’s biggest night, the 68th Grammy Awards, will officially go down.

In honor of less than half a year until eligibility closes, my friend Sophie and I decided to take a look at the biggest award in music, the grammy for Album of the Year, giving who we want, who we think and a potential dark horse candidate.

Who We Want

Cooper: “Hurry Up Tomorrow” – The Weeknd

When this record was released back in January, I thought it was a solid, but forgettable release from Abel. But then I listened to it again. And again. And again. And again. Until I realized that this is Abel’s best body of work and one of the best pop albums that have come out this decade. The first 10 tracks are perfect. I have no notes. While the rest of the record doesn’t carry the same consistency, the remaining 12 songs have some gems and some masterful performances both by Abel and those he’s decided to feature on them. Saying goodbye to The Weeknd with this record is one hell of a way to go out and is very deserving of taking home Album of The Year.

Sophie: “Mayhem” – Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga’s “Mayhem” is a definite contender to win Album of the Year. This album marks a triumphant return to her roots, blending elements from her earlier works with fresh, innovative sounds. A personal favorite song from the album was “Abracadabra” as it reminded me of some of her other hits that combined a dark energy with emotional intensity. Not to mention, her performances of “Abracadabra” are so visually innovative it’s hard not to be drawn into exploring the other songs on the album. On the other hand, her song “Die With a Smile” stands out from the rest of her album with its softer and more emotional lyrics. The song features Bruno Mars, an artist known for expressing deep vulnerability in his music. “Mayhem” marks an incredible return from Gaga as her last album was released back in 2020. Vocally, lyrically, and theatrically, Gaga pushes boundaries and sets new standards with her albums, making “Mayhem” my definite pick to win Album of the Year. 

Who We Think

Cooper: “GNX” – Kendrick Lamar

Knowing the academy’s voting patterns over the last half-decade, this feels almost like a gimme. Some albums take home this award but fail to deliver on actual quality cough cough Beyonce. However, Kendrick Lamar delivers where his would-be predecessors fail to. GNX is filled with catchy and popular hits that satisfy the mainstream (Think “Luther” and “Tv Off”, while also filled with songs that almost feel like he’s bragging about his storytelling ability and ability to rap (“Reincarnated”, “Man at The Garden”, and “Peekaboo”). Are there better options in this year’s field? Yes. But knowing how the academy likes to swing, combined with the actual quality of the record, makes GNX a safe but solid choice for Album of the Year. 

Sophie: “GNX” – Kendrick Lamar

While rap albums don’t typically win Album of the Year, I have a strong feeling Lamar may be taking this one home. “GNX” is not like some of his other pieces of work, it almost comes off as an album only made to be performed. However, it is still executed wonderfully. With its lyrical depth and storytelling, I think it has a strong chance to take home the win. While some critics have pointed out its “shallow” fan service, I still think Lamar’s lyricism comes through, even if it doesn’t reach the same heights as previous albums. 

Dark Horse Candidates

Cooper: “Chromakopia” – Tyler the Creator or “MOON MUSiC” – Coldplay

Although both of these albums are solid in their own right, both suffer from the Grammy’s weird eligibility period and both were overshadowed by bigger releases. Coldplay by Tyler, and Tyler by Kendrick. I do think that Tyler is more likely to get the nod out of the two, but that’s only because he’s a bigger draw in the United States than Coldplay is. I do feel that Chromakopia deserves the nod more, however. The storytelling and replayability of the record just feel like the vintage Tyler we’ve known for almost 8 years now. Would I be surprised if it got the win? No. Are there better albums released that will likely be nominated? Yes.

Sophie: “So Close To What” – Tate McRae

While the chances of Tate Mcrae taking home album of the year for “So Close to What” are incredibly slim, she would be an amazing unexpected winner. As a newer artist, with this being her third studio album, Mcrae has made a name for herself. This album highlights the immense growth she has had as a songwriter, the songs vary in musicality but round back to the same emotional honesty Mcrae has perfected within her storytelling. A personal favorite from the album is “It’s ok I’m ok” as it highlights the many emotions teenage girls in particular have felt before, which has led her to create such a strong demographic who can relate to her lyrics. While it is a stretch to even say she could be nominated, I hope in the future she can take home an award at the Grammy’s as she has grown so much as an artist.