The Great Album Showdown: Who Will Take the Crown?
Image Courtesy: Rolling Stone
From infectious club-pop anthems taking over the summer to powerful emotional ballads, 2024 has been a year of musical excellence. Genres have expanded, artists have made iconic comebacks, and new sounds have emerged. With the 2025 Grammys steadily approaching, it's going to be nearly impossible to select just one body of work for the Album of the Year award. As the anticipation builds, with only a month until nominations are revealed, I wanted to share my predictions for the front runners – and who I believe will take home the crown.
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HIT ME HARD AND SOFT – Billie Eilish
Beginning her career at 14, Billie Eilish started by singing soft-pop tracks, reflecting her young mind. Eilish has evolved into herself as an artist right in front of our eyes. Her latest album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, is a testament to this growth. The album features 10 songs, seamlessly weaving through one another, touching on themes of love, loss, fame, and self-reflection. Eilish’s newfound sound taps into her full vocal potential, ranging from quirky talking songs like “LUNCH” to heart-wrenching belts in “THE GREATEST.” A standout feature within the album is the ongoing collaboration with her brother and producer, Finneas, shining through in every note and beat. Intricate vocal layers blended with unique production shape a cohesive album that connects thoughtfully. Eilish has been a popular candidate at the Grammys, taking home numerous accolades, including the prestigious Album of the Year in 2020 for When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
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brat – Charli XCX
If you’ve been anywhere on the internet this year, you’ve come across brat. Whether through the Kamala Harris campaign (yes, a presidential candidate participated in the brat trend), or through the viral “Apple” dance on Tik Tok, Charli XCX’s album has taken over – and I’m not mad about it. The hyper-pop album is an explosion of energy, blending bubblegum beats with EDM influence and auto tuned vocals. Brat sends you right into the middle of a nightclub, where the bass pounds through your chest and sweat flies off your body. This genre hasn’t seen the mainstream spotlight quite in the way Charli has resurrected it. The album’s production, lyricism, and overall theme form a cohesive body of work that has performed incredibly well, making it a strong contender for Album of the Year.
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Eternal Sunshine – Ariana Grande
The year of storytelling through music is upon us, and one of the best examples of this is Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine. The 13-track album is a personal exploration, following the projection of Grande’s journey of rediscovery. Tracks including “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” and “supernatural” highlight her vulnerability and bold new sound. Grande dives headfirst into the media scrutiny she’s faced by offering a satirical portrayal of her public persona in songs like “the boy is mine” and “true story.” Despite numerous nominations and the commercial success of her previous albums, Grande has yet to claim the Album of the Year award. Could Eternal Sunshine help her finally earn the crown?
The 2025 Album of the Year award deserves to go to a transformative body of work– one that flows effortlessly between tracks while standing strong independently. With standout tracks like “WILDFLOWER” and “BIRDS OF A FEATHER,” it’s impossible not to crown Billie Eilish’s HIT ME HARD AND SOFT as the clear winner. Eilish releases all constraints, pouring everything into this record and leaving listeners with a deep feeling of vulnerability. Her musical growth is unmistakable, lyrically and sonically, making this a groundbreaking album that defines this era of music.
Strike Out,
Writer: Isabella Santiago
Editor: Grace Groover
Tallahassee