For clarification, Beyonce is a fantastic musician. She’s one of the greatest artists of our time and her influence on music is undeniable. However, when it comes to who actually had the album of the year, in my opinion, it should have undeniably been Billie Eilish.
Eilish’s album “Hit Me Hard and Soft” was everything an Album of the Year should be: creative, personal and sonically groundbreaking. Eilish has always been known for her unique sound but this album took things to a new level.
It wasn’t just a collection of songs, it was an experience. Every track felt intentional like she was inviting us into her world. Her vocals were haunting, the production was absolutely next-level, and nobody can do emotional depth as Eilish did on this album.
Eilish’s music resonates with a generation that few artists nowadays can achieve. She’s not making radio-friendly hits just to stay relevant, she’s making music that means something.
“I don’t normally listen to Billie Eilish but ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft’ was really good,” senior Caio Azevedo said.
Songs like “L’amour de Ma Vie” and “Wildflower” weren’t just bops, they were pieces of art. They had people dissecting lyrics, sharing theories, and relating on a personal level. That’s what great music does.
“I had a listening party with all my friends when the album came out and we couldn’t stop talking about the lyrics and what they represented,” senior Chanel Anooshian said.
Beyonce’s “Cowboy Carter” album was good, nobody can deny that. But was it truly the best album of the year? Or did the Grammys finally just feel like they had to give her the award after years of nominating her with no wins?
To be honest, Beyonce deserved Album of the Year before, for example, when “Lemonade” lost to 25. However, this year was certainly not her time for the Grammys to try and redeem themselves, especially at the expense of someone else’s hard work. The Recording Academy’s actions this year felt more like them trying to correct their past mistakes rather than recognizing the best work.
Eilish created something fresh, innovative, and deeply moving. That’s what Album of the Year should be about, and it’s a shame the Recording Academy lost its way this year. The Grammys had a chance to reward true artistry, but instead, tried to fix a past mistake, only creating a new one to fix.
