The year in music: A look at some Grammy nominated albums of 2022

With the release of her debut novel, “Crying in H Mart”, 2021 seemed to already be a banner year for Michelle Zauner. Earlier in the year, Zauner had announced a new album under her musical moniker, Japanese Breakfast. From the release of the lead single “Be Sweet”, it was clear that Zauner would be taking on an entirely different sound from her previous work. In an interview with Alternative...

As a modern chameleon in music, Annie Clark has been a staple of the rock genre for nearly two decades under the pseudonym St. Vincent. From her first album “Marry Me” to her most recent work “Daddy’s Home”, Clark has transformed herself over and over in a style reminiscent of David Bowie. While her last album “Masseduction” was full of 80s style sounds and styles, “Daddy’s Home”...

Taylor Swift released “evermore” in December 2020, only six months after the release of its sister album “folklore”. Both of these albums share a nostalgia for a calmer existence, with mellow vocals and a piano backtrack. These albums have felt like an escape for listeners, and have drawn in a new audience for Swift with the new, more indie style that she has adopted. Within this album, Swift...

Olivia Rodrigo, a rising actor and singer, released her highly anticipated debut album, “Sour” in May of 2021. This album’s story is fascinating, as it gained popularity because it was successful largely on TikTok, where people used her songs so frequently she became a sensation before her full album was even released. This album is complex and raw, telling the story of grief over a past relationship....

Grammy award-winning artists, Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak have teamed up to create a vintage-inspired album that features elements of 90s R&B, as well as 70s blues and disco. Its first sneak peek single, “Leave the Door Open”, left listeners with high anticipation and impatience as Mars hasn’t released a new album since his last hit, “24K Magic”, in 2016. Mars and Paak have been known...

The “Need to Know” singer has secured eight Grammy nominations for her third studio album, “Planet Her”, released in 2021. Doja Cat’s rise to fame has skyrocketed throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, as her second album “Hot Pink” became popular during lockdown through the app TikTok. This album shows her eclectic approach to new age pop, bringing elements of Y2K and sci-fi...

Tyler Okonma, known under the sobriquet Tyler, the Creator, released his sixth album “Call Me If You Get Lost” on June 25, 2021. With songs running up to nine minutes in length, this album has been referred to as the culmination of Okonma’s career. One of the longer and more popular tracks, “Sweet/ I Thought You Wanted To Dance”, is an example of a pattern continuously repeated in Okonma’s...

“Happier Than Ever” parallels Eilish’s debut album in its message, but moves in a new direction sonically. Combining synth beats and traditional jazz rhythms creates a sound that’s genuine, unique, and far more romantic than anything from Eilish’s past discography. In the album opener, “Getting Older”, Eilish alludes to the celebrity interview process, by intoning, “Can’t shake the...

As a staple of pop music for the past decade, Ariana Grande has grown up in the headphones of millions of listeners. Her latest album “Positions”, showcases both her personal and professional growth, from a young Nickelodeon actress into a worldwide phenomenon. Throughout her career, which now spans six studio albums, she has continuously improved as a singer and lyricist, using her vocal range...

Halsey’s fourth studio album “If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power” was released in 2021, and is her most consistently good album yet. It blends pop and alternative seamlessly, while tastefully incorporating some industrial and electronic elements with the help of Trent Reznor, who is credited as a producer on the album. Halsey was pregnant while writing and recording this album, which is reflected...