By Meredith Nardino
Let’s be honest, 2017 was pretty bleak. With political unrest and social injustice crowding headlines on the daily, it would be easy to spend the rest of your life hiding under a grey cloud of cynicism. Last year, one thing that gave us a small sense of pride year was the transcendent work of some of our favorite artists. Next week, the Best of 2017 will be honored at the 60th annual Grammy Awards, also known as music’s biggest night. Award season is filled with heated social media debates and the pettiest of think-pieces. This year’s Grammys will surely be no different. My predictions might not help me win any bets, but they are the artists whom I feel most deserve this recognition.
1. “Feel It Still” – Portugal. The Man
Portland-based indie group Portugal. The Man has been on the scene for 13 years, but catapulted into the mainstream with its Woodstock release. The unlikely success of “Feel It Still” earned it a nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and for good reason. In just over a year, the song has been streamed over 300 million times and shot to number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Just try to get this bass line out of your head, I dare you.
2. “Praying” – Kesha
Few people have had as radical an artistic transformation as Kesha. The highly publicized legal battle with producer Dr. Luke served as inspiration for Rainbow, her powerful third record that explores themes of forgiveness, empowerment and self-worth. “Praying” is up for Best Pop Solo Performance, and Kesha honestly deserves it based on that whistle note alone. It would be a life- and career-affirming win by proving that the strength of women knows no limits.
3. “Redbone” – Childish Gambino
Donald Glover is the definition of a triple threat. His third studio album as Childish Gambino was released in December of 2016, but is still worthy of every award. It’s a psychedelic funk fever dream transcending genre and expectation. “Redbone” is a lush, cosmic slow jam worthy of every Prince comparison it’s received. The track appears in the Record of the Year, Best Traditional R&B Performance and Best R&B Song categories and Awaken, My Love! is in the running for Album of the Year. Even on the off-chance Glover does not end the night with at least one award, we will still be blessed with a live performance during the show.
4. “Sober II (Melodrama)”– Lorde
Melodrama is up for Album of the Year, but a more accurate category would be Album of the Millennium. Lorde’s sophomore record is a career-defining masterpiece recounting the highest highs and lowest lows of the twenty-something lifestyle. It’s vibrant and moody, optimistic and skeptical, fun and challenging – everything you would expect from this unique pop savant. Lorde is the only female nominee in the stacked AOTY category, up against Childish Gambino, Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar. Taking home this win might seem far-fetched for Lorde, but the Grammys never bet against a prodigy.
5. “Everything Now”– Arcade Fire
With the most heavy-handed promotion I have ever witnessed, Canada’s own Arcade Fire dropped their joyful cultural commentary, taking on modern consumerism, political anxiety and technology. Did they need to create a fake media company that sold branded fidget spinners in order to make their point? Probably not, but the stunt was just profound enough for the band to grab a Best Alternative Album nom.
