Though the Grammys are all about every genre, if we're being real, it's all about the pop music. So, when it comes to the pop music categories, the stakes are high. For Best Pop Vocal Album, there are some powerhouse nominees, two of which are up for Album of the Year (Ed Sheeran's x and Sam Smith's In The Lonely Hour). Add in megastars like Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus and Coldplay, and there's a category that's too close to call.
Nominees:
Coldplay, Ghost Stories
Miley Cyrus, Bangerz
Ariana Grande, My Everything
Katy Perry, PRISM
Ed Sheeran, X
Sam Smith, In The Lonely Hour
WHO SHOULD WIN: Sam Smith, In The Lonely Hour
There were few albums in 2014 that received more critical acclaim than Sam Smith's In The Lonely Hour. The most-nominated artist of the year is up for the big four awards (Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Best new Artist), so at the very least, the Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences loves this guy.
More than that, Smith created one of the most beautiful albums in recent memory. In The Lonely Hour features some of the most stunning singing from Smith, whose deep, throaty vocals just drip with raw emotion in every single note. Led by single "Stay With Me," In The Lonely Hour also crafted some of the most relatable and heartbreaking music since Adele's Best Pop Vocal Album winning record 21. He may not like the comparisons, but when it comes to award readiness, these Brits are unmatched.
There's also an argument here that fellow British pop icon Ed Sheeran should take this category with x. Sheeran created what may be the most interesting album of the year, blending together acoustic indie rock, R&B, rap, funk and pure pop all into one easily digestible nugget of pop perfection. His vocals may not be as outstanding as Smith's, but Sheeran is one-of-a-kind. And, with singles that range from the biting "Don't" to the tender "Thinking Out Loud," it's hard to argue that Sheeran can't also depict a portrait of love in all its forms.
WHO WILL WIN: Sam Smith, In The Lonely Hour
Of course, Smith has this category on lock. Most of the Grammys feel like his to lose, including the aforementioned big awards of the night. So, there's no reason why he won't end up winning this, unless there's some major upset. The Academy also has a pattern of awarding a particular blend of tender R&B-infused pop for this category. Past recent winners include Adele, Bruno Mars, Amy Winehouse and Duffy.
In terms of upsets, Sheeran has the best chance of pulling this category away from Smith, if for some reason, Smith wins the major Album of the Year award of Beyoncé, they could give this bone to someone else. Ariana Grande's My Everything also has a slim chance and could've fared better in a less stacked year. Despite hits like "Break Free" and the Grammy-nominated "Bang Bang," Grande's album just has a little too much filler to be deemed "best."
As for Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus, the Grammy will most likely elude them. Cyrus' nomination feels more like a "sorry for not nominating 'Wrecking Ball'" last year thing, and Perry's PRISM was solid, but if Teenage Dream couldn't win, not even a Super Bowl could help her.
And Coldplay, once again, eh.
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