Best Dance/Electronica Album
Caribou – Our Love
The Chemical Brothers – Born in the Echoes
Disclosure – Caracal
Jamie xx – In Colour
Skrillex and Diplo – Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü
Who Will Win: Disclosure – Caracal
Who Should Win: Jamie xx – In Colour
Yet another high-caliber category. Disclosure had an all-star lineup on Caracal, and this is probably why it attracted so many listeners. It would make sense for them to win, but 2015 was hands down Jamie xx’s year. His debut album was the best dance record we had the pleasure to listen to in a long time. Of course, Caribou’s effort was incredible as well, but In Colour has a certain something which has us hooked. It’s not just a dance floor hit, but also an amazing album to listen to solely for musical appreciation.
Best Vocal Pop Album
Mark Ronson – Uptown Special
Taylor Swift – 1989
Kelly Clarkson – Piece by Piece
Florence and the Machine – How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
James Taylor – Before This World
Who Will Win: Taylor Swift – 1989
Who Should Win: Florence and the Machine – How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
This shortlist features not one, not two, but three favourites. Mark Ronson made sure to put the “vocal” in “vocal pop” on Uptown Special by collaborating with some of the most unique voices in music at the moment. Bruno Mars gave us the groove and Kevin Parker the smoothness. Florence Welch also showcases her hair-raising vocals on How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, while blurring the line between pop and rock. This magnificent personal touch makes us root for Florence and the Machine, but of course, the band would be taking on a giant. Taylor Swift’s 1989 features some of the year’s greatest hits and this will probably be enough to get her the Grammy.
Best Pop Solo Performance
Kelly Clarkson – “Heartbeat Song”
Ellie Goulding – “Love Me Like You Do”
Ed Sheeran – “Thinking Out Loud”
Taylor Swift – “Blank Space”
The Weeknd – “Can’t Feel My Face”
Who Will Win: Taylor Swift – “Blank Space”
Who Should Win: The Weeknd – “Can’t Feel My Face”
Taylor Swift’s turf might be conquered this year, but then again, she still has the upper hand. While “Blank Space” was on nearly every teenager’s lips for quite a few months, “Can’t Feel My Face” was certainly one of the songs of summer 2015. From Abęl Makkonen Tesfaye’s vocals to the incredibly groovy bassline transforming the chorus into a few seconds of restless leg syndrome, “Can’t Feel My Face” is indeed, to us at least, the best Pop solo performance of 2015.
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth – “See You Again”
Florence and the Machine – “Ship to Wreck”
Maroon 5 – “Sugar”
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”
Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood”
Who Will Win: Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth – “See You Again”
Who Should Win: Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood”
Nominated in many a category, “See You Again” has to win somewhere. After all, it is a decent song which has a specific meaning. But in terms of “performance”, it doesn’t get much better than “Bad Blood”. Take the biggest pop star and the biggest rapper of the first half of the 2010’s, and let the magic happen. Of course, anyone can get the Grammy, as this shortlist is filled with big shots…