Grammy Crate Predictions
Graphic by Julia Norkus
By Serenity Holland
Looking at the Grammy nominations for this year, my initial thought was, ‘this makes sense.’ Though the albums, songs, and the artists on these lists reflect what I have seen soar this year in pop culture, the question of who would win stumped me. While I can see some winning on merit, I can also see others winning based on politics and popularity.
I asked the Milk Crate staff who they think will take the crown of three major Grammy categories: Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Best New Artist. Evaluating these opinions, I will also voice my own, and try to predict what will happen at next year’s 66th Annual Grammy Award Show.
Record of the Year
Milker’s Pick (tie):
“Not Strong Enough” by boygenius
This song has continued to grow on me throughout the year as I've thankfully been able to digest it moderately, without radio stations and department stores over playing it. The sonic simplicity of the track contrasts with the gender challenging lyrics in the chorus, “not strong enough to be your man,” sung by three women. I think that’s why fans feel so compelled to the boygenius members detached from the music; they’re comfortable with themselves and their friendship which shines through in the music. It would shock me if this actually won Record of the Year because its competitors are a bit more established and mainstream. Of course, it shouldn’t be about that, but the recording academy has been accused of this reasoning in the past.
“What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish
This song, one of the standouts on the Barbie movie’s soundtrack, gave everyone a reason to be a little emotional this summer. What made this song stand out was its relatability to both the character of Barbie, and the general public. Bridging that gap between a fictional story and your own with the power of music is highly effective, and the popularity of the song reflects that. This is the song I expect to see win Record of the Year, not only because anyone could sing along if it played, but also because it encapsulates a universal sentiment, using the lens of cinema to connect with a wider audience.
Album of the Year
Milker’s Pick (tie):
“Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd” by Lana Del Ray
This album is so timeless and in a way, is before and ahead of its time. Lana Del Ray covers the broad topics of family and love in a focused manner, collaborating with individuals only beneficial to her vision such as Jon Batiste and Bleachers. I’m always moved by the way she tells stories, almost tolerant of her traumas for the sake of the authenticity of her music. Del Ray never decides between instrumentation or lyricism, she simply takes her time to craft a cohesive body of work that tells a story, making this album an easy contender for Album of the Year.
“the record” by boygenius
The idea of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker making music together alone is enough for people to pay attention. For these artists to have come together in 2018 with their self-titled EP teasing the potential of their collective talent, made the anticipation for the record (2023) extremely exciting for their fans. This trio’s album and subsequent tour has played a huge role in the progression of pop culture over the past year, significant enough for me to consider them deserving of this award. But when I look at the other nominees in the category, I think there are better options that suit the merit description of the Album of the Year category like SOS by SZA or Midnights by Taylor Swift.
Best New Artist
Milker’s Pick: Noah Kahan
I have been leaning into Noah Kahan for about a year now, and every month, I grow fonder. He has been consistent with his craft, going on tour and pursuing collaborations that give him the opportunity to grow his fan base. The deluxe version of third studio album, Stick Season (2022), was released this year and includes remixed songs with Post Malone, Kacey Musgraves, Lizzy McAlpine, and Hozier. Kahan bleeds authenticity with the frequent mention of his hometown, and the struggles attached to growing up in that climate. His detail-oriented descriptions are ones easy to grasp onto and relate to our own lives. This is a win I would love to see happen, but I keep coming back to Ice Spice as the clear winner for this category as her journey has been remarkable and accelerated.
The Milker’s have spoken, and I mostly agree; but the Grammys are either extremely predictable or completely unexpected. Being that the nominees for these categories are people we wouldn’t otherwise compare to one another, it’s difficult to foresee the results. Overall, it seems there is an option for everyone in the lists which just means there’s a greater probability that we’ll be cheering no matter who’s name is announced that night.