59^th Annual Grammy nomination predictions: Adele (‘25’) should be a lock for pop vocal album nomination

In early December, the nominees for the 59^th Annual Grammy Awards will be unveiled.  The Musical Hype is dissecting selected categories, predicting who might here their name called.  In the latest edition, we examine five potential nominees (and other possibilities) for Best Pop Vocal Album.

1. Adele, 25

[Columbia]

The Grammy for pop vocal album is seemingly Adele’s to lose. 25 was the biggest pop album during the eligibility period.  It’s difficult to see a scenario that doesn’t involve Adele being nominated and ultimately winning. She might lose album of the year if she is nominated, but she won’t lose the genre category…we think.

2. Justin Bieber, Purpose

[Def Jam]

Justin Bieber has won a Grammy…let that sink in.  He hasn’t won a Grammy for his own work, however. He should have a chance with Purpose, which featured three notable hits – “What Do You Mean,” “Sorry,” and “Love Yourself” – in addition to a reprisal of his Grammy-winning turn, “Where Are Ü Now.”  Still, his biggest hurdle is Adele.

3. Sia, This Is Acting

[RCA]

Sia originally wouldn’t have been projected on this list as a potential nominee for this award.  The success of “Cheap Thrills” ups the ante. This Is Acting also features two truly great songs, “Bird Set Free” and “Alive.” Neither were hits, however. Sia has tough competition against both Adele and Bieber, who both have bigger accolades with their respective albums.

4. Ariana Grande, Dangerous Woman

[Republic]

Compared to the nominees that precede, Grande has a slightly weaker résumé with Dangerous Woman.  Boding well in her favor, however, is the fact that Dangerous Woman is arguably her best album.  Hits “Dangerous Woman” and “Side to Side” make a compelling argument, though “Side to Side” suffers from corniness.  Still, it’s hard to deny the vocal ability and the album is fun.

5. Lukas Graham, Lukas Graham

[Warner Bros.]

The fifth nominee for pop vocal album is a toss-up. Lukas Graham have enough to be among the elite thanks to mega hit “7 Years.” The album itself also features other bright spots including minor hit “Mama Said” and the enthusiastic “Drunk in the Morning.”  Lukas Graham seems least likely among this list to win, and might not be nominated.  It does seem, however, “7 Years” might nab a pop performance nod or bigger yet – a nod in the major category.

Other Possibilities:

Shawn Mendes, Illuminate

[Island]

The soulful pop heartthrob released Illuminate right at the tail end of the eligibility period.  He has a strong shot to be nominated for best new artist.  An album nomination wouldn’t be shocking.

Meghan Trainor, Thank You

[Epic]

Title wasn’t nominated last year in this category, and it featured a couple more hits/notable records than Thank You.

Alessia Cara, Know-it-All

[Def Jam]

Alessia Cara might be nominated for the Grammy for Best New Artist. Know-it-All has several hits working in its favor, including “Here” and “Scars to Your Beautiful.”

Jon Bellion, The Human Condition

[Capitol]

The main issue for Bellion is the fact that the voters may know very little about the versatile singer/songwriter. Nonetheless The Human Condition is deserving of a nomination.

Photo Credit: Columbia, Def Jam, RCA, Republic, Warner Bros., Island, Epic, Def Jam, Capitol