Readers Sound Off on Grammy Snubs
A Poignant and Personal Album
Foo Fighters’ recent album “Here We Are” dealt with profound themes such as the loss of Taylor Hawkins, grief, and the future. Despite its powerful storytelling, the album was surprisingly snubbed in the rock categories of the Grammy Awards. Michael Taylor, a journalist from Weymouth, commented that the album was a solid return for the band and should have received recognition. Another album that deserved the award was Queens of the Stone Age’s “In Times New Roman,” according to Taylor.
A Breath of Fresh Air in This Stagnant Industry
Raye, an independent artist, showcased her beautifully toned voice in her debut album characterized by songs like “Escapism.” She struggled to liberate herself from record labels and emerged as a distinctive performer in the music industry. Sanna from Birmingham compared Raye to a young Amy Winehouse and described her as a breath of fresh air amidst the stagnant industry.
I Don’t Tire of This Song
Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire” was deemed a timeless hit by Antony, a music enthusiast from Tamworth. Antony expressed admiration for the pop song’s building intensity and its F-you attitude. Despite being from a different era of music, Antony couldn’t resist singing the song at the top of his lungs in the car.
More Indicative of the Modern Metal Scene
According to Tommie from London, Spiritbox, a woman-fronted metal band, deserved the metal category win at the Grammy Awards. Tommie believed that the band encompassed the innovative spirit of the modern metal scene, which energized metal fans on social media. Spiritbox, along with other notable bands like Sleep Token and Bad Omens, attracted fresh, diverse audiences and should have received recognition from the Grammys.
He Writes Like a New Robert Frost for Our Days
Alexandra, a resident from Rhode Island, expressed disappointment that Noah Kahan was only nominated in the best new artist category. She believed that Kahan’s music, deeply connected to the moods of New England, should have also been recognized in the Americana and folk categories. Drawing comparisons to legendary artists like Boygenius, Alexandra claimed that Kahan’s live performances and songwriting evoked the spirit of a new Robert Frost for contemporary times.
She Deserves More Recognition
According to Eser from New Zealand, Lana Del Rey exuded artistry in her album “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd.” Eser admired the album’s deeply emotional and well-crafted lyrics that connected with Del Rey’s past and career. Eser further argued that Del Rey’s influence extended to artists like Billie Eilish, noting the popularity of her intimate vocal style. With such artistic presence, Eser emphasized that Del Rey deserved more recognition and Grammy wins.
Keep Your Ears Clean!
James David-Richards from Scotland humorously remarked on the oversight of Aphex Twin’s “Blackbox Life Recorder 21F” in the audio category. He humorously criticized the music industry for disregarding unique and innovative works like Aphex Twin’s masterpiece, playfully suggesting a shortage of earbuds and Q-tips for proper listening. His comment served as a gentle reminder for everyone to keep their ears clean.
Despite No Nominations, This Album Was the Standout of the Year
Mitski’s album, “The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We,” captivated Dunedin’s Simon Stebbings. Despite being released on the final day of eligibility, Simon recognized the album’s humor, melancholy, and experimental nature, standing out amidst the mainstream pop of Taylor Swift. Simon also acknowledged the underrepresentation of talented Asian Americans in the Grammy Awards, emphasizing Mitski’s exceptional songwriting and genre-defying approach. In Simon’s view, Mitski’s continuous growth as an artist exemplified her stunning melodic power.
Production That Absolutely Slaps
Khal, a music lover from London, believed that SZA’s album “SOS” deserved the album of the year award, due to its breathtaking melodies, captivating lyrics, and impressive production. Although SZA’s album didn’t offer overall sonic cohesiveness, Khal praised her unique songwriting and captivating vocals. Khal cheekily mentioned the disappointment from the previous year when Harry’s House won over Renaissance, recalling a notable Grammy snub. Khal concluded on a positive note, expressing satisfaction that Victoria Monét finally received recognition.
