Readers shared their thoughts on this year’s Grammy snubs, describing it as an overflowing audio ball-pit filled with delightful music.

Readers shared their thoughts on this year’s Grammy snubs, describing it as an overflowing audio ball-pit filled with delightful music.

A touching and intimate record.

I was taken aback by the exclusion of Foo Fighters in the rock categories, specifically in the categories of rock album and rock song of the year. However, their album Here We Are was a moving and intimate work that tackled themes of loss, grief, and moving forward. It marked a strong comeback for the band, and given the circumstances, I believed they had a chance at winning some Grammys. On a separate note, Queens of the Stone Age’s In Times New Roman… was also an exceptional album that deserved recognition. Michael Taylor, age 30, from Weymouth and a journalist.

An invigorating change in this stagnant field.

Raye possesses an exquisitely refined singing voice and her first album, which features the track “Escapism,” did not receive the recognition it deserved. She has put in great effort to break free from record labels and has established herself as an independent musician. Comparable to a youthful Amy Winehouse, Raye is both a talented performer and songwriter, bringing a much-needed new energy to the currently stagnant music scene. This comment is from Sanna in Birmingham.

“I never grow tired of listening to this song.”

In the future, the song “Vampire” by Olivia Rodrigo will likely be played at throwback club nights named after popular social media platforms and celebrity couples. Despite its age, I never tire of listening to it. The song continuously builds, defying expectations and resembling a pop version of a mini opera. Its defiance is also a standout aspect, as Olivia’s live performances are just as powerful. As someone who grew up in the 90s listening to Britpop and classic 60s bands like The Kinks, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones, this song was not made with my generation in mind. However, that doesn’t stop me from belting it out in my car, even at nearly 50 years old. -Antony, Tamworth

Spiritbox, who were up for best metal performance.

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“More representative of the current metal music scene”

Spiritbox, a band in the metal genre, has been recognized as the winner in a category where older men usually dominate. It is rare for a female-led metal band to even be nominated, but their victory is well-deserved. In my opinion, Spiritbox represents the modern metal scene much better than the usual 60-plus-year-old men. Many metal fans, especially on social media, are tired of the same old faces in the genre. In recent years, bands like Spiritbox, Sleep Token, and Bad Omens have brought a lot of innovation and have gained popularity on platforms like TikTok. They should have been acknowledged for their efforts in attracting new fans to the metal scene. – Tommie from London

“He is reminiscent of a contemporary Robert Frost in his writing style.”

I was hoping that Noah Kahan, a singer-songwriter from New England, would win the award for best new artist along with my 12-year-old daughter and husband. However, we were surprised to see that he was only nominated in one category, while other nominees in the same category had multiple nominations. In my opinion, Kahan should have also been recognized in the Americana and folk categories. Additionally, if Boygenius (who I am a fan of) can win for best rock performance, then why couldn’t Kahan? My family and I had the opportunity to see him perform in Saratoga Springs last summer and we are looking forward to seeing him again in Boston this spring. His live performances are incredible and his songwriting is reminiscent of a modern-day Robert Frost. I am Alexandra, 49 years old from Rhode Island, US.

She should receive more acknowledgement.

Lana Del Rey’s most recent album, “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd,” is a poignant compilation of songs that explore both her personal history and her musical career through emotionally charged and well-crafted lyrics. One of the album’s singles, “A&W,” was praised as the best song of the year by both Pitchfork and The Guardian, and rightfully so. The first half of the song delves into the haunting topic of rape culture, infused with Lana’s signature enchanting sound, before transitioning into a hip-hop beat inspired by 1950s doo-wop. Lana’s influence is also evident in the music industry, as her more intimate and subdued style of singing has become increasingly popular among artists such as Billie Eilish. Despite her artistic talent, Lana has yet to receive the recognition she deserves, as she has never won a Grammy despite numerous nominations throughout her career. I strongly believe that she should be acknowledged for her exceptional talent. Written by Eser from New Zealand.

“Make sure to keep your ears clean!”

It seems that Aphex Twin’s amazing and immersive sound experience, Blackbox Life Recorder 21F, is not receiving the recognition it deserves. This may be due to a lack of attention to detail in the music industry. Remember to keep your ears clean, everyone! James David-Richards, Scotland.

Although it did not receive any nominations, this album was the standout of the year.

Mitski’s album, The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We, was released on the last eligible day and will not be eligible next year, despite not receiving any nominations. However, it was the standout album of the year, showcasing a blend of humor, sadness, experimentation, and beauty. It served as a refreshing antidote to the typical, generic pop music of artists like Taylor Swift. Unfortunately, the Grammys have lost their once sharp edge. As an Asian American herself, Mitski’s talents are often overlooked, despite the abundance of talented Asian American artists emerging in the music industry, such as Karen O from Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Yaeji. Mitski’s album is a testament to her incredible songwriting and diverse lyrics. Personally, I am drawn to songs like “Bug Like an Angel” for its poetic lyrics and “Heaven” for its melodic beauty. Mitski defies genre boundaries and continues to innovate with each subsequent album, a feat that is not easily achieved by many performers or writers. Simon Stebbings, a 59-year-old from Dunedin, New Zealand, shares his admiration for Mitski and her growth as an artist.

SZA accepts the best R&B song award for Snooze – but was she robbed for album of the year?

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‘Production that absolutely slaps’

I believe that SZA should have been awarded album of the year for her expansive SOS. This album is a combination of all the distinctive elements from her previous album, CTRL, turned up to the maximum. The melodies are stunning, the lyrics are captivating, and the production is top-notch. Though it may not have been the most musically consistent album of the year, SZA’s unique songwriting and vocals tie it all together. It wasn’t quite as shocking as last year’s album of the year snub when Harry’s House was chosen over Renaissance, which I still can’t wrap my head around. On a positive note, I am pleased to see Victoria Monét finally receiving recognition for her work. Khal, London

Source: theguardian.com