Louder: Grammy Nominations Are Here

Read up on Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and more

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story November 24, 2020 By Caryn Ganz Pop Music Editor Nominees for the 63rd annual Grammy Awards are here and they are … perplexing in many ways! (Though some of our predictions did come true: Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa, especially.) Our team has all the news, a conversation about the major snubs and surprises, a list of 25 of the key categories, and lots of long-weekend reading on many of the nominated artists. From left: Evan Agostini/Invision, via Associated Press; Kevin Mazur/Getty Images; ABC, via Agence France-Presse/Getty Images The Grammys Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa Dominate 2021 Grammy Nominations The major categories include some surprising, lesser-known names and notable absences as a Recording Academy in transition plans its pandemic awards show. By Ben Sisario Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Isaac Brekken/Getty Images North America The Grammys Grammys Snubs and Surprises: The Weeknd, Luke Combs and BTS Some of pop music’s biggest names didn’t get nominations for the 2021 awards, while a diverse list of lesser-known acts filled out the ballot. By Jon Caramanica, Joe Coscarelli, Jon Pareles and Ben Sisario The Grammys Grammy Nominations 2021: See the List Highlights from the 63rd annual awards’ 83 categories. TOP NOMINEES Andrew White/Parkwood Entertainment and Disney+, via Associated Press Beyoncé’s ‘Black Is King’: Let’s Discuss Six critics on the visual album rooted in her “Lion King”-inspired record “The Gift,” a grand statement of African-diaspora pride and creative power. By Jason Farago, Vanessa Friedman, Gia Kourlas, Wesley Morris, Jon Pareles and Salamishah Tillet Beth Garrabrant Album Review Taylor Swift, a Pop Star Done With Pop On “Folklore,” a quarantine album made largely with Aaron Dessner from the National, she swerves away from her last few releases, embracing atmospheric rock — and other characters’ points of view. By Jon Caramanica Charlie Gates for The New York Times Dua Lipa’s Unplanned, Uncertain, Unprecedented Album Launch The English pop star spent years preparing to release her anticipated second LP, “Future Nostalgia.” Should she — and could she — do it during a pandemic? By Caryn Ganz Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT FEATURES ON NOMINEES FAll Preview Brittany Howard Cuts Loose From Alabama Shakes Alabama Shakes’s frontwoman goes solo on an album that is totally, gloriously about — and for — herself. By Jon Pareles DaBaby Blew Up. But Can He Settle Into Stardom? The year’s inescapable, breakout rapper has just released “Kirk,” his third project in 12 months. Now comes the hard part. By Joe Coscarelli The Music Issue How Megan Thee Stallion Turned ‘Hot’ Into a State of Mind The musician talks about the aftermath of sudden fame, the sanctuary of alter egos and what she hopes to do by the time she turns 40. By Jenna Wortham Miranda Lambert Doesn’t Mean to Offend. She’s ‘a Little Too Honest.’ The country singer and songwriter on her new album, “Wildcard,” scooping the tabloids and her life as a teenage goody-goody. By Rob Tannenbaum Lil Baby Might Be Rap’s Most Reluctant New Star The Atlanta artist, whose new album “My Turn” is out Friday, discusses how he has remained so low-key while earning more than 11 billion streams worldwide. By Joe Coscarelli Jazz Is Built for Protests. Jon Batiste Is Taking It to the Streets. The pianist and “Late Show” bandleader has been bringing musical wake-up calls to events across New York. By Alan Scherstuhl DIARY OF A SONG   Diary of a Song How Phoebe Bridgers (Begrudgingly) Writes a Rock Song The singer and songwriter prefers a ballad. But collaborators yanked her out of her comfort zone for “Kyoto,” a breakout from her latest acclaimed album. Here’s how she made it. By Joe Coscarelli   Diary of a Song Dua Lipa Craved a Fun ’80s Dance Song. See How She Made ‘Physical.’ The upbeat track has become an escape in uncertain times. Writing it involved tarot card readings and a wacky flute sample. The pop star explains it all in “Diary of a Song.” By Joe Coscarelli Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT ROUND TABLES ON NOMINATED ALBUMS Here’s the Lady. Where’s the Gaga? On “Chromatica,” Lady Gaga strives to bring introspection to the dance-pop that made her a star. But hallmarks like her audaciousness and sense of adventure are in shorter supply. By Jon Pareles, Wesley Morris, Caryn Ganz and Lindsay Zoladz Fiona Apple Is Back and Unbound: Let’s Discuss “Fetch the Bolt Cutters,” the singer and songwriter’s first album since 2012, is a bold, cathartic, challenging masterpiece. Our critics have a lot to say about it. By Jon Pareles, Jon Caramanica, Wesley Morris and Lindsay Zoladz REVIEWS OF NOMINATED ALBUMS Critic’s Pick Phoebe Bridgers Wants to Believe On her second album, “Punisher,” the singer and songwriter showcases her greatest talent: weaving tiny, specific details into big-tent tapestries of feeling. By Lindsay Zoladz Critic’s Pick Haim Steps Into a New Groove on ‘Women in Music Pt. III’ On the band’s third album, the sisters in Haim add what was missing from previous releases — tension and texture — to make their sharpest and most adventurous songs yet. By Lindsay Zoladz Album Review Post Malone Smears All the Genres Into One (Emotions, Too) On his third album, “Hollywood’s Bleeding,” he’s ecstatic when he’s sad, and grim when he’s boasting. By Jon Caramanica Critic’s Notebook Can Justin Bieber Hide in Plain Sight? He’s suffered the pains of superfame for half of his life. Now pop’s biggest male star wants to make R&B music and de-stress in an oxygen chamber. By Jon Caramanica Album Review Bad Bunny Finds Gold in the Past, While J Balvin Is Trapped in the Future New albums by two of Latin pop’s biggest stars find them chasing inspiration in opposite directions, with contrasting results. By Jon Caramanica Album Review Drake Was Isolated (at the Top) Way Before Quarantine “Dark Lane Demo Tapes” is a collection of rough drafts about the struggles of success and hints at what his next album might sound like. By Jon Caramanica Album Review Camila Cabello and Harry Styles, Teen-Pop Alumni, Think Bigger Both emerged from groups created on “The X Factor.” And both are releasing their second solo albums, showing listeners they have the ambition to go their own way. By Jon Pareles POPCASTS ON NOMINEES Chad Batka for The New York Times The Triumphant Return of Fiona Apple, Pop Music Renegade A conversation about everything “Fetch the Bolt Cutters” and beyond. Getty Images/Getty Images for Shein The Many Lives of Doja Cat The pop star took an extremely nonlinear path to No. 1, and continues to push the boundaries of online behavior. ALSO NOMINATED! Lucinda Williams Is Raw, Riled Up and Ready to Speak Her Mind The singer and songwriter’s 14th studio album, “Good Souls Better Angels,” is stocked with fuzzy guitars and pointed political lyrics. By Jewly Hight Bettye LaVette Didn’t Know the Beatles’ ‘Blackbird.’ Then It Helped Her Fly. Ten years ago, the Fab Four’s song about civil rights gave the soul singer a creative spark. Now she’s releasing an album of tracks originally popularized by Black women. By David Peisner Make a friend’s day: Forward this email! Get this from a friend? Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter @nytimesmusic. Send your feedback on Louder at theplaylist@nytimes.com. Check out our full range of newsletters. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Louder from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018