With Grammy nominations just announced, the music world is abuzz with excitement over the prospective ceremony. It gave me an opportunity to think about the music I listened to over the last year and consider which albums I feel are worthy of an Album of the Year nomination. Without further ado, here are my candidates:
Volcano by Jungle
Volcano is surely a magnum opus for dance duo Jungle. The album has an overwhelming sense of applied theory, energy, and community. Lydia Kitto, Volcano’s fronted vocalist, brings an unbelievable sense of excitement and nostalgia through her ability to seemingly change personas in every song. The album is an absolute triumph, and it is worth a listen for anyone interested in dance, house, or if you just want to have a plain good time. Kiki’s pick: “Dominoes”
The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We by Mitski
Calling it her “most American album” yet, The Land is a stunning reflection on love. Mitski’s voice, ever-strong, holds a new power, feeling more assertive than ever before. “My Love Mine All Mine” is being heralded as an album-favorite, and rightly so; its elegance, tenderness, and vulnerability aptly represent the lingering desire present throughout the album. The Land joins the ranks of Be the Cowboy and Bury Me at Makeout Creek—an instant classic. Kiki’s pick: “The Frost”
Javelin by Sujfan Stevens
After techno-heavy The Ascension, dreamy and ambient Convocations, and collaborative A Beginner’s Mind, Sufjan Stevens fans were excited to hear a return to solo form in Javelin. The album is reflective and thoughtful, yet still exciting thanks to Stevens’s incorporation of the techno that debuted in The Ascension. Javelin has the opportunity to make a name for itself like Carrie & Lowell or Illinois; Stevens’s deep appreciation for music always shines through his own work. Kiki’s pick: “Javelin (To Have And To Hold)”
Heaven knows by PinkPantheress
PinkPantheress’s rise to fame was explosive; after just two years of formal releases, the singer boasts 22 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. Her sophomore album Heaven knows is being praised both for its fresh take on Y2K and for its resonant light in an otherwise dark musical era. Heaven knows shows off PinkPanthress’s vocal ability and genre-defying creativity. Kiki’s pick: “The aisle”
Unreal Unearth by Hozier
Hozier’s third LP Unreal Unearth combines the tenderness of his debut album with the bleak ferocity of its successor. It is a phenomenal display of musical maturity and feels deeply personal to listen to. The album balances rock ballads, acoustic indie, and even orchestral interludes with the precision expected from an artist 10 years into his career. This long-awaited project certainly exceeds expectations. Kiki’s pick: “I, Carrion (Icarion)”
Black Classical Music by Yussef Dayes
Dayes’s first solo album is unskippable, immersible—truly an album you can get lost in. From the introductory track, Dayes creates a setting and a story for the listeners to settle into, its fiery energy pervading through the hour-plus length LP. His collaborations with other major jazz artists like Tom Misch and Venna heighten—and even showcase—his abilities in a way that has not been seen until now. The album is emotional, psychedelic, and unique, and will find a place in the heart of every listener. Kiki’s pick: “Rust”
With so much good music out this year, I cannot help but get excited for what’s more to come. If it were up to me, all my contenders would be winners.