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Adele, 25 © XL/Columbia

It’s never too early to speculate about the Grammys.  After previously issuing our Way, Way Too Early Grammy Predictions for 2017, what better follow-up than breaking down potential nominees in the big categories?  No Grammy is more coveted than the Grammy for Album of the Year.  Based on the music and the impact of the music released as of yet during the eligibility period, here are the surefire nominees for album of the year.

The potential nominees have been divided into four categories.  The Favorites are truly the surefire nominees. Likely three of the Possible Contenders will fill out the album of the year categoryLongshot, But Possible have a chance, but may very well be out of contention.  The fourth and final category, Highly Unlikely, But Worth Considering includes albums deserving of such recognition, but don’t have a shot in…  

The Favorites:

Beyoncé, Lemonade

Rationale:  Lemonade has been a critical darling. It topped our list of the best albums of 2016 (so far).  If Beyoncé is to win “the big one,” this might be the album she’s victorious for.

Previous AOTY nominations: I Am…Sasha Fierce (52nd) & Beyoncé (57th)

Album review: Beyoncé Sounds Fearless And Unapologetic On ‘Lemonade’

Adele, 25 

Rationale: Adele’s 25 seems like the safest bet to be nominated for album of the year. Not because Adele’s 21 won the coveted award, but because of the history.  3.38 million albums sold in one week should be more than enough to secure the nomination and possibly a second Grammy for album of the year.  

Previous AOTY nominations: 25 * (54th)

*won the Grammy for album of the year

Album review: Adele Delivers Another Stellar Album With ‘25’

 

Possible Contenders:

Radiohead, A Moon Shaped Pool 

Rationale:  Radiohead has been nominated multiple times in the AOTY category.  The band has lost every single time. While Adele and Beyoncé’s efforts are juggernauts, Radiohead’s excellent A Moon Shaped Pool might have “the juice” to secure the band its first Grammy for album of the year.

Previous AOTY nominations: OK Computer (40th), Kid A (43rd) & In Rainbows (51st)

Album review:  Radiohead Remain A Musical Force On ‘A Moon Shaped Pool’

 

Rihanna, Anti

Rationale: The big reason why Rihanna has a shot this year goes beyond the quality of AntiLoud was a surprise nominee for album of the year a couple of years back.  While Loud has plenty of hits, it wasn’t Rihanna’s best album.  Anti arguably receives the distinction of being Rihanna’s best album or minimally near the top of her discography.  Furthermore, it’s been proven that two pop/two R&B albums can coexist in the big category.

Previous AOTY nominations: Loud (54th)

Album review: Rihanna Returns From A 4-year Hiatus With ‘Anti’

 

Kanye West, The Life of Pablo

Rationale: Regardless of the opinion of Mr. West, he has a knack for making captivating albums.  The Life of Pablo is easily one of the year’s best albums, even if it fall shorts of West’s very best.

Previous AOTY nominations: The College Dropout (47th), Late Registration (48th) & Graduation (50th)

Album review: Kanye West Delivers A Polarizing Effort With ‘The Life Of Pablo’

 

David Bowie, Blackstar  

Rationale: In 2004, a posthumous album released by Ray Charles went on to take home the top prize. Technically, Bowie was alive to see Blackstar’s release but passed two days after it was issued. David Bowie’s Blackstar is actually a better-rounded album than Charles’ Genius Loves Company was.  Don’t count it out.

Previous AOTY nominations: Let’s Dance (26th)

Album review: David Bowie Leaves The Music World A Classic Gem With Final Album ‘Blackstar’

 

Paul Simon, Stranger to Stranger  

Rationale: Paul Simon is a Grammy darling.  Stranger to Stranger is a great album.  When Paul Simon releases a great album, in the past at least, it was either nominated or won album of the year. While Stranger to Stranger isn’t a “lock” like Lemonade or 25, Simon should be optimistic.  The Grammys love to award veteran acts, regardless if they are truly representative of the musical climate at the time or not.

Previous AOTY nominations: Bookends [w/Garfunkel] (11th), Bridge Over Troubled Water [w/ Garfunkel]* (13th), There Goes Rhymin’ Simon (16th), Still Crazy After All These Years* (18th), Graceland* (29th), The Rhythm of the Saints (34th) & You’re The One (43rd)

*won the Grammy for album of the year

Album review:  Paul Simon Is Cool As Ever on Latest Album ‘Stranger to Stranger’

 

Kendrick Lamar, Untitled Unmastered

Rationale:  Kendrick Lamar is a gifted artist.  Even on Untitled Unmastered, unreleased songs that are literally untitled, Kendrick Lamar showcases why he’s critically beloved and successful commercially.  Untitled Unmastered has a shot at earning Kendrick Lamar a third nomination for album of the year, but it’s “not a done deal.”

Previous AOTY nominations: good kid, m.A.A.d city (56th) & To Pimp A Butterfly (58th) 

Album review: Kendrick Lamar Delivers An Enigmatic Surprise Album With ‘Untitled Unmastered’

 

Longshot, But Possible:

Drake, Views

Rationale:  Views has broken all sorts of sales and streaming records.  Critically, though, it’s received mixed reviews.  Furthermore, the fact that Drake’s best album, Take Care, failed to receive an album of the year nomination makes Views chances much bleaker.

Previous AOTY nominations: N/A

Album review: Drake’s Highly Anticipated Fourth Studio Album ‘Views’ Maintains Sam Formula

 

Maxwell, blackSUMMERS’night

Rationale:  Maxwell and R&B make a terrific couple.  Even better? Maxwell’s brand of R&B has much more depth and substance than most contemporary artists.   Unfortunately, the urban spot is likely to be filled by Beyoncé and possibly Rihanna.

Previous AOTY nominations: N/A

Album review: Maxwell, ‘blackSUMMERS’night’ Well Worth The Wait

 

Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Getaway

Rationale:  The Peppers were nominated for Stadium ArcadiumThe Getaway is another standout album… 

Previous AOTY nominations: Stadium Arcadium (49th) 

Album review: Red Hot Chili Peppers Nail It On ‘The Getaway’

 

Justin Bieber, Purpose

Rationale: Is Purpose an album worthy of album of the year consideration in regards to? No. But, to Bieber’s credit, Purpose had some huge hits, and other “big pop albums” have been nominated (Katy Perry, Teenage Dream, Rihanna, Loud, etc.).  Still, don’t bet on it for J.B.

Previous AOTY nominations: N/A

Album review8 Takeaways From Justin Bieber’s ‘Purpose’ (StarPulse); Justin Bieber Grows Up On ‘Purpose’ (Review)  (The Musical Hype)

Chance the Rapper, Coloring Book

Rationale:  Coloring Book is terrific and historic.  BUT, it’s sort of a unique product – a mixtape unavailable for purchase. Should a mixtape be nominated for album of the year over an album that’s widely available to consumers? It has a shot, but rollout might raise eyebrows…

Previous AOTY nominations: N/A

Album review: Chance The Rapper Thrills On Mixtape ‘Coloring Book’

 

Coldplay, A Head Full of Dreams

Rationale:  Coldplay seems to be “kind of a big deal.” A Head Full of Dreams was a better album than Ghost Stories, but the sole album the Brit alternative band was nominated for still supplants Dreams (Viva La Vida).

Previous AOTY nominations: Viva La Vida (51st)

Album review: Coldplay’s ‘A Head Full of Dreams’ Has Its Worthwhile Moments

 

Highly Unlikely, But Worth Considering:

Troye Sivan, Blue Neighbourhood

Rationale:  Arguably the best pop album released during the eligibility period that won’t get the attention or praise it deserves.

Album review: Troye Sivan Shines on Debut Album ‘Blue Neighbourhood’

 

Panic! At The Disco, Death of A Bachelor  

Rationale: How is it that the quirky Panic! At The Disco have yet to get Grammy recognition? Death of a Bachelor has wide crossover appeal, checking off all sorts of boxes.

Album review: Panic! At The Disco’s ‘Death of a Bachelor’ Is Eccentrically Brilliant

 

Jon Bellion, The Human Condition

Rationale: Who? That will be the problem that holds Jon Bellion back.  The Human Condition is another terrific album that’s incredibly eclectic, but most voters won’t know who Jon Bellion is.

Album reviewJon Bellion Intrigues On Debut Album, ‘The Human Condition’

Grammy info retrieved from rockonthenet.com.

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the musical hype

the musical hype aka Brent Faulkner has earned Bachelor and Masters degrees in music (music Education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and a freelance music journalist. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.

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