A photo of Beyoncé holding two Grammy awards. This year Beyoncé is nominated for 11 Grammys. Photo by Robyn Beck via Getty Images.
On February 2nd, 2025 the 67th annual Grammy Awards will be held. A lot of familiar names and faces are expected to be in attendance as well as some fresh, unfamiliar faces. With 94 categories, there is a lot of buzz about who will win what. It can be hard sometimes to refresh your memory regarding all the new releases and nominations this year. Within the notable categories, here is a list of all the songs, albums, and artists I believe are worth listening to before the awards take place.
Record of the Year
The Record of the Year category spans across many different music genres creating one of the most diverse categories. From The Beatles to Charli xcx, this category is truly a toss-up. The new release from The Beatles, “Now and Then,” is by far my top must-listen-to for this category. Competing against some of the biggest artists in the business currently, the Beatles being nominated for this category 55 years after their split in the 70s makes it stand out. Given that this category recognizes production, I think this song stands out in its vintage-turned-modern production.
Album of the Year
This category is jam-packed with most of the biggest artists in music today, as well as some up and coming. André3000, best known for his role in OutKast, has taken a new approach to his music style and created an innovative album with unique song titles and long tracks. “New Blue Sun” might not be up everyone's alley however it’s a unique approach to music and very different from his previous work. The other nominee I believe to be listen-worthy is “Hit Me Hard and Soft” by Billie Eilish. This album surprised many as Eilish reverted to her unique beats and adlibs seen in her debut album “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” “Hit Me Hard and Soft” is a beautifully put-together album that shows vulnerability as well as innovative production and songwriting.
Song of the Year
This category contains familiar artists to the two prior. What makes this category different from Record of the Year is that Song of the Year focuses on the composition of the song, while Record of the Year focuses on the performance and production of a song. With that in mind the rising star Chapell Roan’s “Good Luck Babe” is a standout song in this category. Chapell Roan has taken the pop genre by storm this year and has been nominated for many categories including Best New Artist. This song has a fun pop melody while also having relatable lyrics. Definitely a must-listen.
Best New Artist
Best new artist is always a category that many look forward to. This year, the nominees did not disappoint ranging from genres like pop, rap, country, alternative, and more. Doechii is an absolute must-listen to, her unique take on rap style/genre is equally innovative and infatuating. With her very literal and confessional lyrics, Doechii is creating a new and dynamic sub-genre of rap. Another standout band in this category is Khruangbin. The trio, best known for their song “Texas Sun,” has gained a following for their unique folk/country/alternative music. Their songs are relaxing and very satisfying and all together worth checking out before the awards.
Notable Mentions
While the categories listed above are the most well-known, there are 90 other categories that are just as important and have a ton of good music. Clairo, nominated for best alternative music album, for her album “Charm,” is a beautifully written catalog and should for sure be listened to. For Best Rap Song I recommend “Yeah Glo!” by Glorilla. This song is both fun and empowering and Glorilla is a captivating artist. Other honorable mentions are “BRAT” by Charli XCX, and “TIMELESS” by KAYTRANADA, both nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album. To view the full list of nominations you can go to the official Grammy’s website.