‘A poignant and personal album’
I was surprised to see Foo Fighters snubbed in the rock categories, particularly the rock album and rock song of the year. But Here We Are was a poignant and personal album which dealt with the loss of Taylor Hawkins, grief and the future. It was a solid return to form for the band and with its circumstances, I could have seen them win some Grammys. Saying that, Queens of the Stone Age’s In Times New Roman … was a superb album that also deserved the award. Michael Taylor, Weymouth, 30, journalist
‘A breath of fresh air in this stagnant industry’
Raye has the most beautifully toned voice and her debut album, including the song Escapism, was snubbed. She’s worked hard to free herself of record labels and has emerged as an independent artist. Reminiscent of a young Amy Winehouse, Raye is a performer who writes her own music and is a breath of fresh air in this stagnant music industry. Sanna, Birmingham
‘I don’t tire of this song’
Vampire, by Olivia Rodrigo, is a stone cold killer of a song which will be played 20 years from now at retro-themed club nights with names like “Instagram” and “Travis and Taylor”. I don’t tire of it. I love the build. Just when you think it has peaked, it goes further. It’s like a pop version of a mini opera. And of course the F-you-ness of it. Olivia can sing it just as well live. I’m almost 50, from the 90s land of Britpop guitars and dance anthems, with an upbringing of classic 60s Kinks, Beatles and Stones. This song wasn’t made with me in mind, but it doesn’t stop me singing it at the top of my lungs in the car. Antony, Tamworth
‘More indicative of the modern metal scene’
Spiritbox, in the metal category. The winners of this category seem to always have been the same 60-plus-year-old men. For a woman-fronted metal band to be even nominated is unprecedented, but they really deserved the win. I feel like Spiritbox are a lot more indicative of the modern metal scene – the majority of metal fans (on social media) are quite sick of the old guard in metal. There’s been a lot of innovation in the last few years with Spiritbox, Sleep Token and Bad Omens being the standouts and the darlings of TikTok. The fact they’re bringing so many new people to the scene should have been rewarded. Tommie, London
‘He writes like a new Robert Frost for our days’
My 12-year-old daughter, my husband and I were hoping Noah Kahan would win best new artist. His music is so tied to the moods of New England, and we were also surprised he was only nominated in the one category – other best new artist nominees had more nominations. I feel he should have been nominated in Americana and folk, and if Boygenius (who I adore) can win best rock performance, why couldn’t Kahan? We saw him play in Saratoga Springs last summer and are going to see him in Boston this spring – he’s incredible live, and writes like a new Robert Frost for our days. Alexandra, 49, Rhode Island, US
‘She deserves more recognition’
Lana Del Rey. Her latest album, Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, is a deeply beautiful collection of songs which delve into her past and her career with some of her most emotional and well-crafted lyrics. The second single from the album A&W was named best song of the year by Pitchfork and The Guardian and with good reason. The first half is a beautiful and ghostly detailing of rape culture with a touch of Lana magic, before a 180-degree turn to a hip-hop beat inspired by 1950s doo-wop. Lana herself is noted for influence, too: her more intimate, less “big” style of singing is more popular than ever with artists like Billie Eilish. Her artistry should have seen her win many Grammys over her career, yet she has never won any. I believe she deserves more recognition. Leo, New Zealand
‘Keep your ears clean!’
Aphex Twin being overlooked for his triumphant audio ball-pit overflowing with ear candy, Blackbox Life Recorder 21F, suggests there is a shortage of ear buds/Q-tips in the music industry these days. Keep your ears clean, people! James David-Richards, Scotland
‘Despite no nominations, this album was the standout of the year’
Despite no nominations, Mitski’s album The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We [released on the final day of eligibility and ineligible next year] was the standout of the year – funny, sad, experimental and gorgeous to listen to. An antidote to the bland pop of Taylor Swift. The Grammys have lost any edge they once had. I think that Asian Americans are often ignored – but currently there are so many talented Asian Americans, with Karen O from Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Yaeji, to name just two. On Mitski’s album I think the variety of her songwriting and lyrics is stunning. I particularly like Bug Like an Angel for its poetry and Heaven for its beautiful melody. She crosses genres and is very innovative. She has also got better with each subsequent album, which is a hard thing for many performers or writers to achieve. Simon Stebbings, 59, Dunedin, New Zealand
‘Production that absolutely slaps’
Out of the nominees, I think SZA should have won album of the year for her sprawling SOS. It is a collage of an album on which SZA dials every idiosyncratic element of her excellent previous album, CTRL, up to 11. Stunning melodies, captivating lyrics, and production that absolutely slaps. Sure, it might not have been the most sonically cohesive album of the year, but SZA’s unique songwriting and vocals are the glue binding it all together. It wasn’t quite the level of robbery of album of the year last year, when Harry’s House was somehow chosen over Renaissance, which I still can’t believe. As a side note, I’m glad Victoria Monét finally got her flowers, so at least something did go right! Khal, London
