The 2022 Grammys boasted an estimated nine million viewers, and it’s not hard to see, or hear, why. Covering the time period of October 2020 to September 2021, various talented artists were nominated. Ear-pleasing performances from stars like BTS, Billie Eilish, and Olivia Rodrigo provided wonderful entertainment on a Sunday night. Along with the show came the iconic golden awards being announced. Of the winners, multiple albums that shaped a defining year in music history were recognized.

Album of the Year

“WE ARE” BY JON BATISTE

Jon Batiste’s “We Are” took home the highly coveted “Album of the Year” award, which covers all genres. Batiste’s eighth studio album takes an experimental approach, almost reinventing what one could expect from a person, defying any standards of concise genres. The clear, standout track on this record has to be “Freedom” which features a chorus with multiple attention-grabbing hooks. 

Despite his efforts, many are unsure of whether this record deserved this unexpected win. In fact, many did not hear of the album until it won. Up against recognizable LPs or records like Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever” and Taylor Swift’s “evermore,” it is quite a quandary of whether this album should have attained this status.

Best Pop Vocal Album

“SOUR” BY OLIVIA RODRIGO

Olivia Rodrigo won the Grammy award for “Best Pop Vocal Album,” due to the impact her debut LP had last year. A well-deserved win, the electric guitar embedded “brutal” introduces us to “SOUR.” In this song, Rodrigo expresses the troubles of youth and social pressure after a breakup. This, along with Billboard chart-topping hits like “driver’s license” and “good 4 u” solidify this breakup album as a worthy Grammy win.

Yet it is not to say that the album does not have its troubles. The primary source material for all songs is a bad breakup, and one cannot address this record without considering the copyright infringement lawsuits these songs have faced for sounding similar to others. However, these songs have undeniably shifted tradition in the pop music genres and changed the perception of Disney stars. 

Best Country Album

“STARTING OVER” BY CHRIS STAPLETON

Chris Stapleton’s fourth album “Starting Over” is a revolutionary country album, winning the prize for “Best Country Album” this year. The album faced criticism from fans due to the simplicity of the cover, but this record shows one should not judge a book by its cover. Stapleton reveals his talent in songwriting and storytelling on this 14 track project. The title track, along with the song “Cold” stand out from the rest, securing a worthy Grammy nomination and win. 

These are some, but not all, of the albums that achieved great success at the Grammys and beyond. All music, whether it comes in albums or songs, is worth celebrating.