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5 albums that should have won Album of the Year over ‘Cowboy Carter’

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On February 2nd, 2025, the Grammy Awards celebrated its 67th annual event, and for the first time ever, Beyoncé won the Album of the Year award for her album “Cowboy Carter”. This critically acclaimed and financially successful album also received the honor of Best Country Album, making Beyoncé the first Black woman to win this distinguished title.

Although I acknowledge the exceptional quality of the Texas Hold ‘Em singer’s album and the effort they invested in its creation, I hold the opinion that other albums deserved the title of Album of the Year at the 2025 Grammys more so.

Over the past several weeks, I’ve been attentively exploring a range of albums eligible for the 67th Grammy Awards (from September 16, 2023 to August 30, 2024). I’ve narrowed down five contenders that I think truly deserve the Album of the Year title. This list encompasses not only nominated albums but also some that didn’t receive any recognition at all. To make my choices, I considered factors such as overall album quality, cultural impact, critical praise, commercial success, hit tracks, and how often listeners return to these albums.

Five albums that should have won the Grammy for Album of the Year more than Cowboy Carter

Here are five albums that could have taken the Album of the Year title instead of Cowboy Carter, with no specific ranking among them.

Or, you could say:

These are five albums that potentially deserved to win Album of the Year in place of Cowboy Carter, without any particular order between them.

Short n’ Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter’s sixth album, titled “Short n’ Sweet“, made a massive impact worldwide, opening at the number one spot on the Billboard 200 chart. While Sabrina might have been using the title to describe herself, it could just as fittingly describe the songs, which were as sweet to listen to as honey, if honey had a melody, even though they were quite brief in length.

From the very first song, “Taste,” the pop sensation from Pennsylvania immediately grabbed the interest of music enthusiasts everywhere, and for me, it’s the captivating track “Please Please Please” that stands out. Sabrina effortlessly balances her characteristic playful and humorous style across many songs in this album, yet she skillfully infuses each track with profound meaning.

In a similar fashion, her comforting melodies leave you wanting more of the upcoming tracks, and the production throughout is always spot-on. However, the album’s nomination for Album of the Year fell short, as it was worthy of winning. Although Sabrina won Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album for “Espresso” and “Short n’ Sweet,” respectively, these accolades were merely the cherry on top of a cake that should have been all hers.

Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess by Chappell Roan

In a striking, contemporary fashion, Chappell Roan’s “Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” offers a refreshing, up-to-date vibe while maintaining her distinctive touch of classic pop. Initially facing challenges in commercial success upon its September 2023 debut, the album eventually earned the acclaim it merited, climbing to the No. 2 spot on the Billboard 200 chart.

The album showcases Chappell’s diverse musical abilities, each track emphasizing her versatility. “Kaleidoscope” exhibits her expansive vocal capabilities, while “Naked in Manhattan” and “Guilty Pleasure” expose her sensual side. In contrast, “Hot to Go” and “Pink Pony Club” are lively, catchy club tunes, and “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl” embodies a quirky, contemporary feel.

Just like “Short n’ Sweet,” “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” was nominated for Album of the Year, yet it didn’t win the prestigious award. Nevertheless, Chappell received well-deserved acknowledgment, winning the 2025 Best New Artist accolade.

The Secret of Us by Gracie Abrams

It’s surprising that Gracie Abrams’ second studio album, The Secret of Us, didn’t receive recognition from the Recording Academy, even though it enjoyed commercial success and critical praise. The album reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and topped charts in multiple countries, including the UK.

Despite the assumption that Gracie would venture into Hollywood, given her father J.J Abrams’ acclaimed filmmaking career, she has instead found success in the realm of the music industry.

As a devoted fan, I’d put it this way: In “The Secret of Us,” Gracie shares her heartfelt love narrative through soulful lyrics, calming tunes, and catchy choruses that resonate deeply. She masterfully fuses country and pop genres in a way that would undoubtedly win praise from my idol and role model, Taylor Swift.

At the 2025 Grammys, although she was recognized for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance with Taylor Swift for their song “Us”, sadly, her entire album wasn’t acknowledged in any category.

Coming Home by Usher

Back in 2024, I was thrilled to find Usher gracing this list as the sole male artist, and rightfully so! His ninth studio album, Coming Home, released in February, didn’t disappoint. As the title hints, he infused two Afrobeats tunes to give the project a fresh flavor. The first track, also titled Coming Home, boasts a collaboration with Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy, while my personal favorite, Ruin, teams up with another talented Nigerian artist, Pheelz. Usher seamlessly ventured into a new genre and, as always, delivered flawlessly.

The remainder of the album is crafted using a unique blend of Usher’s RnB and pop ingredients, seasoned with hip-hop flavors, and presented with his captivating, melodious voice. Additionally, he reworked Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl” in the track “A-Town Girl,” imbuing it with a pop-rock vibe.

Usher’s skill in creating a remarkable 20-track album, dabbling with fresh tunes while maintaining his distinctive style, doesn’t receive as much recognition as it should. This album reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, but if this isn’t enough for it to be at least nominated for Album of the Year at the 2025 Grammys, I can’t imagine what would be.

Alligator Bites Never Heal by Doechii

Doechii artfully combines classic rap patterns with contemporary hip-hop beats, effortlessly transitioning between the two styles. This unique talent has earned her the title of hip-hop’s latest prodigy. Her album Alligator Bites Never Heal showcases this ability powerfully.

Despite the fact that not everyone might be fond of Doechii’s raw and biting verses, it seems she’s merely being authentic to herself – which appears to be the essence of her album. That’s the very heart of genuine rap music.

On her album, Doechii explores her path of personal development, self-realization, and self-assurance, while addressing those who once questioned her but now wish to partake in her achievements. She also handles intricate themes such as sexuality, colorism, and casual drug use in a straightforward manner.

In a surprising turn of events, the album “Alligator Bites Never Heal” by Doechii clinched the Best Rap Album accolade at the 2025 Grammys, marking her as the third female artist to achieve this feat. Given its profound depth and exceptional artistic quality, the album was undeniably deserving of the prestigious Album of the Year title.

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2025-03-06 14:00

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