Today marks the annual tradition of complaining (or celebrating, but usually complaining) about the Grammy nominees, announced by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. It is typically burned at the stake by critics for being out-of-touch-Metallica-obsessives and behind the times (still a little unclear on what constitutes a "new" artist). But seeing as the awards show has been around for more than 50 years, and it puts the "G" in "EGOT," the nominees are always something to pay attention to and talk about.
This year's list may not be perfect (where is Carly Rae Jepsen? Where is Rihanna??!), but it offers a pretty refreshing reflection of what the music landscape looks like today. Here are our top picks and observations about this year's list. Feel free to weigh in with your own opinion because, after all, that's what awards season in LA is all about.
1. Kendrick Lamar and Taylor Swift are on top
Not only did Lamar and Swift team up this year for a hit remix, but they also released individual projects that were both commercially successful and critically acclaimed. There's clearly no bad blood between these artists and the Grammys (unless the awards show steals her backup dancers, in which case we're in for another spiteful anthem).
2. Alabama Shakes is up for Album of the Year
At risk of this year's awards ending with another Beck-like, come-from-behind victory, Sound and Color sticks out from the pack as being an unlikely contender. Still, it's a great record! No complaints here.
3. Courtney Barnett could be Best New Artist
"Courtney Barnett who?" was probably someone's reaction upon seeing the list, but not ours. Her record Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit is clever and angsty in all the best ways.
4. D'Angelo is up for Record of the Year
Black Messiah was snubbed from Album of the Year, but this artist still managed to snag a nomination in a typically pop-centric category. Anything to keep Ed Sheeran's overly sentimental "Thinking Out Loud" from winning. Anything.
5. Paul McCartney is up for two rapping awards
"FourFiveSeconds" seemed tailor-made for awards show attention, but despite one McCartney-West collaboration being generally snubbed, another, "All Day," is up for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song.
6. Amy Poehler could win a Grammy
Poehler's audiobook for Yes Please is up in a category full of strong contenders (including Time Out LA favorite, Patti Smith). Between this recording, her performance in Inside Out and generally missing Parks and Recreation, we could listen to this lady talk all day. We're pulling for you, Poehler.
Here's a list of some of the major nominations:
Album of the Year
Alabama Shakes, Sound and Color
Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly
Chris Stapleton, Traveller
Taylor Swift, 1989
The Weeknd, Beauty Behind the Madness
Song of the Year
Kendrick Lamar, "Alright"
Taylor Swift, "Blank Space"
Little Big Town, "Girl Crush"
Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth, "See You Again"
Ed Sheeran, "Thinking Out Loud"
Record of the Year
D'Angelo and the Vanguard, "Really Love"
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, "Uptown Funk"
Ed Sheeran, "Thinking Out Loud"
Taylor Swift, "Blank Space"
The Weeknd, "Can't Feel my Face"
Best New Artist
Courtney Barnett
James Bay
Sam Hunt
Tori Kelly
Meghan Trainor
Check out the complete list of nominees here.