As summer fades into fall, music lovers everywhere eagerly begin making predictions for the Grammy Awards, namely for its standout category, Album of the Year. Though industry pundits are picking their favorites, headlined by a group of superstar women, Marist College students are doing the same.
The artists and records named in the broader, nationwide discussion include:
Taylor Swift, “The Tortured Poets Department:” Another monster hit from the industry monolith herself. Swift has captured a record four Album of the Year awards, for “Fearless,” “1989,” “Folklore” and “Midnights.”
Beyoncé, “COWBOY CARTER:” The second part of a trilogy in which she proves she is not defined by genre. Despite her record-breaking 32 Grammys, none have been won for this category.
Billie Eilish, “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT:” The recently-crowned most popular artist on Spotify dropped this moody, touching, catchy romp through modern love. Eilish won Album of the Year for her first project, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” in 2020 at the age of 18, the youngest ever to win. Ashley Luba ‘25 mentioned that she “really liked” this album and its chances of securing the award.
Charli XCX, “Brat:” No review of music in 2024 would be complete without “Brat,” the inspiration behind “Brat Summer” and the new direction for the presidential campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris. Charli XCX has secured two Grammy nominations before, yet neither were for this category. The opinions of students and pundits are more in line regarding this album. Rina Clinton ‘27 enjoyed it, both for its musicality and widespread influence. “It’s very experimental, it’s good artistry…there’s a reason it’s so popular.” She also complemented its “genius marketing.”
Red Foxes nominated a whole host of other releases, like “Clancy” by Twenty One Pilots. “Every song on that album is near-perfect,” said Andrew Lombardo ‘27, stating that “it’s a very personal album” with “relatable” lyrics and “phenomenal” production. He went as far as to say that “there’s nothing that I can complain about.” He also named “Short n’ Sweet” by Sabrina Carpenter, noting that it can be thoroughly enjoyed in any headspace.
“Megan” by Megan Thee Stallion also came up — Clinton said that “not only is this a celebration of herself and…obviously an expansion of her artistry, but it’s literally about herself. How cool is that?” The hard-hitting record celebrates “who she is, despite all the backlash she’s gotten [over the] years,” including her “beef” with fellow rapper Nicki Minaj. She particularly enjoyed the single “Mamushi” and the “fun little spin” it put on a traditional “poppy” song.
An anonymous student went with a more niche choice, “Trust Ceremony” by Jhariah, stating that “the people that are interested in it will live and die by it.” They championed it as a “very personal album” about friendship and fame, enjoying its smooth transitions. The final, titular track is a “really beautiful culmination of all these feelings” about realizing you have people you can lean on.
“The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” by new pop phenom Chappell Roan got multiple votes; the aforementioned anonymous student was proud of the safe space that Chappell Roan has created and how significant it was that a song about “being a lesbian” was “the song of the summer.” “It’s killing radio play, it’s really big online and in streaming,” said Townes McKiernan ‘26, adding that when “presidential candidates [quote] your stuff, I think you’ve got a pretty good shot.”
The rap community was also shouted out via “I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU” by JPEGMAFIA; McKiernan called the album’s sampling “genius” and said that the combination of punk vocals, rap lyrics and “heavy, trappy kicks” works well.
Even unreleased projects shared some of the spotlight; “The Great Impersonator” by Halsey was also in the discussion, with Luba mentioning that the singles the album has produced thus far are “standout.”
