The Year So Far: Mid-Year Grammys

I know August is a strange time to do some midyear rundowns, as we're in fact well over halfway through the year now. But, after a busy #hotgirlsummer for all of us (right? RIGHT?), and with "Couch Day" coming up, it's time to prepare for the return of sports, shows, and critically-acclaimed films this Fall, with a look back on the year so far. Plus, due to the lingering effects of the pandemic, everything's been pushed back a bit, hasn't it? That's right, I'm taking a page out of Disney's legal approach against Scarlett Johansson and blaming the pandemic.

The timing of this particular piece is also somewhat awkward. It feels strange to call this a "midyear Grammys," given that we're just 4 months removed from the last Grammys ceremony, and believe it or not, just two months from the end of the eligibility period for the 2022 Grammys. Not to worry, this is not a placeholder for a bonafide Grammy nomination prediction piece, which will arrive later this Fall.

Rather, for now, enjoy a brief, only partially-informed take on the state of music thus far:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: SOUR, Olivia Rodrigo

I've actually already been more proactive about listening to new releases in 2021 than I have been in most previous years, and as such, was tempted to go a more nuanced route. Tyler The Creator, for example, or St. Vincent. But, call me a simpleton, call me a poptimist, what have you; the fact of the matter is that, while I haven't disliked any of the 10 or so albums I've listened to this year, SOUR, from new teen sensation Olivia Rodrigo, is the only one I really have any appetite for re-listening to. It's not without its lowlights, in my opinion, but it's never bad, and most of the time, it's really freaking good. It's just simple, straightforward, angsty pop at a level that warrants comparisons to Taylor Swift and Alanis Morrissette.

Honorable Mention: Call Me If You Get Lost, Tyler The Creator; Back Of My Mind, H.E.R.

SONG OF THE YEAR: "Chemtrails Over The Country Club", Lana del Rey

I've been a Lana fan for a while now, flaws and all, but admittedly was not a huge fan of her Spring release Chemtrails Over The Country Club. (That should probably come with the caveat that it took me a full two years after the fact to finally consider Norman Fucking Rockwell! the masterpiece that so many others did, so you know, we'll see.) However, its title track was the singer at her absolute best; spinning a vivid tale of nostalgia for a, well, Rockwellian American scene with breathless melodrama against a growing crescendo of harmonies and drums. In a year that's been a bit skimp on memorable individual tracks, this is one I can't shake.

Honorable Mention: "Favor", Julien Baker.; "HOT WIND BLOWS", Tyler The Creator ft. Li'l Wayne

RECORD OF THE YEAR: "Kiss Me More", Doja Cat ft. SZA

I know the Grammys doesn't differentiate this way, but I always think of Song of the Year as "Best Song" and Record of the Year as "Best Radio Smash." And if we're being honest, most of the biggest and best radio smashes thus far this year have been holdovers from 2020: multiple offerings from The Weeknd and Dua Lipa come to mind, as do "drivers license" and Glass Animals' "Heat Waves." Fortunately, Summer, as it always does, came through with multiple contenders for bona fide smashes. My personal pick is this ridiculously addicting bop from the frustratingly inconsistent (and problematic) Doja Cat. "Kiss Me More" is the perfect anthem for the more sensual side of #ShotGirlSummer2k21, and I'm yet to see one example of when putting SZA on a song was a bad idea.

Honorable Mention: "deja vú", Olivia Rodrigo; "Industry Baby," Li'l Nas X

BEST NEW ARTIST: Olivia Rodrigo

The Best New Artist race the last couple years has seen a ridiculous amount of the biggest and best names in music: Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Megan Thee Stallion, Li'l Nas X, Doja Cat, Phoebe Bridgers, Maggie Rogers, and Black Pumas were all nominees just in the last two years! I'm going to go out on a limb and say that category is not going to be a close race next January. In fact, I'm not even gonna list an honorable mention here because, as of now, there is no alternative that would be honorable. This is Olivia Rodrigo's award, through and through. The 18-year old Disney starlet took over TikTok, radio airwaves, and crusty old music critics' hearts in one fell swoop with the release of her debut album. Like Taylor, Lorde and Billie before her, most of us quickly went from not having any idea who this girl was to suddenly realizing it's Olivia's world and we're all just living in it.

MISCELLANEOUS CATEGORIES THAT AREN'T ACTUALLY GRAMMY CATEGORIES

The Chance The Rapper Award for "Album I'm Scared To Listen To Because I'm Worried I Won't Like It":

Solar Power, Lorde

Honorable Mention: Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish

The Taylor Swift Award for "Album I'm Scared To Listen To Because I'm Worried I WILL Like It":

Justice, Justin Bieber

Honorable Mention: If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power, Halsey

The 'Token Whiny White British Guy With Guitar' Award for "Radio Hit That Is Far Too Overplayed":

"Without You," The Kid Laroi

Honorable Mention: "good 4 u," Olivia Rodrigo

The Dua Lipa Award for "Radio Hit That Was Not Played Nearly Enough":

"Leave The Door Open", Silk Sonic

Honorable Mention: "Up", Cardi B

The Lizzo Award for "Radio Hit That Is Played A Ton But I Really Don't Mind":

"Peaches", Justin Bieber

Honorable Mention: "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)", Li'l Nas X

Best Modern-DAY LGBTQ Hero:

Li'l Nas X

Absolute Worst Modern-DAY LGBTQ Hero:

DaBaby