The 8 Albums That Defined 2024: A Deep Dive Into The 67th Grammy Album Of The Year Nominees

The 67th Annual Grammy Awards, held on Sunday, February 2, 2025, crowned a new champion for the coveted Album of the Year (AOTY) award, marking a historic moment in music. As of today, December 10, 2025, the conversation around the eight nominated albums from the 2024 eligibility period continues to dominate the cultural landscape, representing a remarkably diverse and critically acclaimed year for music. The Recording Academy’s decision to honor a genre-bending masterpiece solidified the ceremony as one of the most memorable in recent history.

The 2025 AOTY category was stacked, featuring a mix of global superstars, indie darlings, and experimental virtuosos. The albums—released between September 16, 2023, and August 30, 2024—showcased everything from country-pop fusion and theatrical glam-pop to ambient jazz flute and hyperpop. This list of eight nominees is essential for anyone looking to understand the sound and cultural pulse of the era.

The Complete List of 67th Grammy Album of the Year Nominees

The Album of the Year category for the 67th Grammys featured a highly competitive and genre-spanning lineup. Here is the definitive list of the eight albums that secured a nomination:

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

• Cowboy Carter – Beyoncé (WINNER)
• The Tortured Poets Department – Taylor Swift
• Hit Me Hard and Soft – Billie Eilish
• Brat – Charli XCX
• Short n' Sweet – Sabrina Carpenter
• The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess – Chappell Roan
• New Blue Sun – André 3000
• Djesse Vol. 4 – Jacob Collier

This group of nominees collectively earned dozens of other nominations across the Pop, R&B, Country, Alternative, and Jazz fields, underscoring the depth of talent recognized by the Recording Academy.

The Winner: Why Beyoncé’s *Cowboy Carter* Made History

The eventual winner, Beyoncé, secured her second career Album of the Year trophy for Cowboy Carter, an album that redefined the boundaries of country music and the American Roots genre. Released on March 29, 2024, the album was a critical and commercial behemoth, debuting at number one globally and shattering streaming records.

The album is officially recognized as Act II in a trilogy and features 27 tracks that blend Country, Western, Folk, Gospel, and Hip-Hop. Key tracks like "Texas Hold 'Em," "II Most Wanted" (featuring Miley Cyrus), and the powerful cover of "Jolene" were pivotal in its success. The win cemented Beyoncé’s status as the most-awarded artist in Grammy history, further validating her artistic risk-taking and commitment to exploring Black history within American music genres.

• The Facts Of Life Cast Where Are Eastlands Girls Now 2024 Updates 2tx8p

The Mega-Pop Powerhouses and Their Cultural Impact

The 67th Grammys saw a fierce battle between three of the world’s biggest pop artists, each bringing a unique, genre-defining work to the table. The inclusion of these albums highlights the Recording Academy’s recognition of both commercial dominance and critical depth.

Taylor Swift – *The Tortured Poets Department*

Taylor Swift’s eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD), was arguably the most anticipated release of the eligibility period. Released in April 2024, the album broke numerous streaming records, including the all-time record for the most-streamed album in a single day. TTPD is a deeply personal, literary-focused work, exploring themes of heartbreak, public scrutiny, and the complexities of fame. This nomination marked Swift's seventh career AOTY nod, making her the first woman in Grammy history to achieve this milestone. The album’s success was driven by singles like "Fortnight" (featuring Post Malone) and "Down Bad," blending her signature narrative songwriting with synth-pop and folk elements.

Billie Eilish – *Hit Me Hard and Soft*

Billie Eilish’s third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, received a total of seven nominations, including AOTY. Released in May 2024, the album was celebrated for its cohesive, cinematic sound, a deliberate choice by Eilish and her brother/collaborator, Finneas O’Connell, to create a body of work meant to be listened to in order. Tracks like "Lunch" and "Birds of a Feather" showcased a mature, atmospheric pop sound, contrasting with the album's title. Its critical praise positioned Eilish as a serious contender, having previously won AOTY for her debut, *When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?*.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

The New Wave of Pop and Indie Darlings

The 2025 AOTY list was notable for recognizing artists who have cultivated massive, devoted fanbases through distinct, non-traditional pop sounds, signaling a shift in the mainstream music landscape.

Charli XCX – *Brat*

Charli XCX’s nomination for Brat was a major victory for the hyperpop and experimental pop genres. Released in June 2024, the album was lauded for its sharp, minimalist production and its exploration of themes related to celebrity, identity, and female ambition. It became a cultural phenomenon, spawning viral hits like "360" and the infectious "Von Dutch." Her nomination is seen by many as a long-overdue mainstream recognition of her influence on modern pop music.

Sabrina Carpenter – *Short n' Sweet*

Sabrina Carpenter secured her first AOTY nomination with Short n' Sweet. The album, released in August 2024, solidified her transition from Disney star to a global pop icon. Fueled by the massive success of the single "Espresso," the album is a playful, confident collection of pop songs with a retro, doo-wop influence. Its undeniable commercial appeal and critical nod demonstrate the power of a perfectly executed, lighthearted pop record in the current climate.

Chappell Roan – *The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess*

One of the most exciting additions to the list was Chappell Roan’s debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. Released in September 2023, the album’s theatrical, glam-pop aesthetic and deeply personal lyrics about queer identity and self-discovery resonated profoundly with audiences. Tracks like "Red Wine Supernova" and "Pink Pony Club" turned her into an overnight sensation, and her AOTY nomination, alongside a Best New Artist nod, confirmed her status as one of the most important breakout stars of the year.

The Experimental and Jazz-Fusion Masterpieces

Rounding out the field were two nominations that showcased the Recording Academy’s commitment to recognizing genre-defying artistry and technical brilliance, providing a counterpoint to the dominant pop entries.

André 3000 – *New Blue Sun*

The nomination of André 3000’s New Blue Sun was one of the biggest surprises and most celebrated inclusions. Released in November 2023, the album is a radical departure from his Hip-Hop roots, consisting entirely of instrumental music played on various flutes. The ambient, jazz-fusion project was praised for its meditative quality and artistic courage, proving that a true artist can command attention regardless of genre. Its AOTY nod is a testament to the power of pure, uncommercialized musical expression.

Jacob Collier – *Djesse Vol. 4*

Multi-instrumentalist and producer Jacob Collier earned his final AOTY nomination for Djesse Vol. 4, the conclusion of his ambitious four-volume series. The album, released in February 2024, is a stunning display of musical complexity, featuring collaborations with over 100 artists and incorporating elements of Folk, Pop, Jazz, and World Music. His consistent presence in the AOTY category (following a previous nomination for *Djesse Vol. 3*) highlights the Recording Academy's deep respect for his innovative and technically masterful approach to composition and arrangement.