I don’t care about the Recording Academy and the Grammys unless I agree with their picks. This year, I find a lot to agree with.
Case in point:
Best Rock Performance
“Shameika,” Fiona Apple
“Not,” Big Thief
“Kyoto,” Phoebe Bridgers
“The Steps,” Haim
“Stay High,” Brittany Howard
“Daylight,” Grace Potter
While I wouldn’t call this “Rock”, I do enjoy all of this music, especially the middle 4. The fact that this list represents bands fronted by women is one of those things you want to applaud but then feel kinda appalled you’re doing so in 2020 seeing as it highlights the fact that women have been underrepresented for so long. [footnote 1]
Here are some other picks that struck a chord:
Best New Artist:
Phoebe Bridgers
Best Rock Song:
Phoebe Bridgers – “Kyoto”
Big Thief – “Not”
Fiona Apple – “Shameika”
Brittany Howard – “Stay High”
Best Rock Album:
Fontaines D.C. – A Hero’s Death
Michal Kiwanuka – Kiwanuka
Best Alternative Music Album:
Fiona Apple – Fetch the Bolt Cutters
Phoebe Bridgers – Punisher
Brittany Howard – Jamie
Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media:
Hildur Guonadóttir – Joker
- see my Favorite Albums of 2019
pictured up front HAIM‘s celebratory Instagram post
