In addition to Halloween excitement, October is also flush with exciting new music. This month promises a host of highly anticipated albums in all genres — including the return of beloved acts straddling the worlds of rock, pop, punk and dance music.

October sees reenergized funk-rock lifers Red Hot Chili Peppers back with their second release of 2022, Return of the Dream Canteen, while indie-pop darling Carly Rae Jepsen returns with her introspective and soul-searching fifth album, The Loneliest Time. The rest of the month sees the return of British rock torchbearers (The 1975's Being Funny in a Foreign Language and Arctic Monkeys' The Car), a gleaming debut from one of dance music's brightest stars (TSHA's Capricorn Sun), boundary-pushing hip-hop (Mykki Blanco’s Stay Close to Music), thunderous hard rock (Lamb of God's Omens), and much more. 

Below, check out a guide to the must-hear albums dropping in October 2022, from big names you know to newcomers you'll want to add to your playlist. — Jack Tregoning

Lamb of God - Omens

Release date: October 7

Fans of corrosive, no-hostages-taken heavy metal will find much to enjoy in the veteran Virginia band’s ninth studio album, which was recorded live in studio. From the visceral fury of opening track "Nevermore" — its lacerating groove moving at the speed of light, anchoring Randy Blythe’s deep growl — Omens never lets up.

The lyrics combine a never ending reservoir of rage about the sad state of the world with moments of evocative poetry, like the despondent nihilism of "Vanishing." After being unable to tour behind its previous effort — 2020’s critically acclaimed self-titled album – the quintet returns to U.S. stages with a vengeance, headlining a massive tour backed by a variety of like-minded opening acts. For Lamb of God, the post-pandemic era marches to the beat of metal. — Ernesto Lechner

Related: Why Lamb Of God Frontman Randy Blythe Is Rejecting The New Abnormal

Sun Ra Arkestra - Living Sky

Release date: October 7

Last year, the Sun Ra Arkestra’s Swirling — the Marshall Allen-led collective’s first new studio album since 1999’s Song for the Sun — earned universal acclaim and a 2022 GRAMMY nomination for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album. They've returned with Living Sky, featuring 19 musicians performing the late spiritual jazz master Sun Ra’s compositions.

The album is being released on executive producer Ahmet Ulug’s Omni Sound imprint (Swirling appeared on UK label Strut). Lead single "Somebody Else’s Idea" is the first instrumental recording of a song that originally featured vocalist June Tyson. 

"'Somebody Else’s Idea' is an affirmation that the world I live in is a world that I can change," says baritone saxophonist Knoel Scott. "The first part of change is not accepting the status, the so-called status quo, in rejecting the status quo, I free myself to the possibilities which range amongst the infinite. It is our desire. There are those who listen to our music also embrace the possibilities which range beyond the limits of the impossible." — Mosi Reeves

Related: Sun Ra Arkestra's Knoel Scott On New Album Swirling, Sun Ra's Legacy & Music As A Healing Force

TSHA - Capricorn Sun 

Release date: October 7

London-based DJ and producer TSHA came of age listening to acid house, rave and UK garage, and those formative years still shine through in her productions. After a promising run of EPs and singles, TSHA's new album, Capricorn Sun, finds her in full bloom.

Capricorn Sun features a wide spectrum of heartfelt house and bass music, including collaborations with vocalist Clementine Douglas, GRAMMY Award-winning Malian singer Oumou Sangaré and composer/producer Mafro, who is also TSHA's fiancé. 

TSHA credits seeing Bonobo live in 2017 as the biggest inspiration on her warm, widescreen sound. In a full circle moment, both artists have now released albums on Ninja Tune in 2022. — Jack Tregoning

Related: 5 Emerging Artists Pushing Electronic Music Forward: Moore Kismet, TSHA, Doechii & Others

Lil Baby - It’s Only Me

Release date: October 14

With his upcoming third solo studio album for Quality Control Music, It’s Only Me, Atlanta rapper Lil Baby looks to build on the acclaim of his chart-topping 2020 release, My Turn. That four-times platinum album helped him secure a "Best Rapper Alive" honor from Complex and yielded a No. 3 hit in the Black Lives Matter anthem, "The Bigger Picture." At the 2021 GRAMMY Awards — where "The Bigger Picture" was nominated for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song" — Lil Baby delivered one of the ceremony’s most memorable performances by performing alongside activist Tamika Mallory and rapper/activist Killer Mike from Run the Jewels.

Since that breakout year, Lil Baby has released a platinum collaboration with Lil Durk, 2021’s The Voice of the Heroes, and recorded a track for the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar, "The World Is Yours to Take." He also landed a No. 2 hit with Nicki Minaj this year, "Do We Have a Problem?"

When Lil Baby announced It’s Only Me on Instagram, he wrote, "I Kno Its Been Along Time Coming But I’m Coming Harder And Harder…#worththewait." — M.R.

Related: 9 Revolutionary Rap Albums To Know: From Kendrick Lamar, Black Star, EarthGang & More

M.I.A. - MATA

Release date: October 14

MATA may be Sri Lankan-British rapper M.I.A.’s first album in six years, but she hasn’t been entirely silent. In 2020, the three-time GRAMMY nominee collaborated with Travis Scott and Young Thug on the Billboard chart-topping single, "Franchise." She’s also dropped a handful of loosies in the run-up to MATA like "Beep" and "Popular."

She revealed earlier this year that she’s now a born-again Christian — an evolution that may seem at odds with her revolutionary, iconoclastic image. "I had a vision and I saw the vision of Jesus Christ," she told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe last May. "It’s very creatively a crazy thing because it turned my world upside down."

On her previous two albums, Matangi and AIM, M.I.A.’s music grew increasingly spiritual and reflective. However, she’s still an iconoclast who blends electronic music tones, agit-rap, and Indian music melodies in vividly creative fashion. "Popular," which marks her reunion with former collaborator Diplo, is a critique of artificial intelligence. Other contributors to MATA include Skrillex and Rick Rubin; there’s also a verse from the late Juice WRLD. — M.R.

Related: 5 Women Essential To Rap: Cardi B, Lil' Kim, MC Lyte, Sylvia Robinson & Tierra Whack

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Return of the Dream Canteen

Release date: October 14

Back in April, Red Hot Chili Peppers released Unlimited Love, their first album since 2016's The Getaway. Produced by legendary impresario Rick Rubin, Unlimited Love also heralded the return of guitarist John Frusciante after a 16 year absence. The album's throwback sound, combined with Frusciante's unmistakeable guitar tones, thrilled fans and earned the band their first U.S. No. 1 album since Stadium Arcadium in 2006.

Only a few months later, Red Hot Chili Peppers revealed they had another album's worth of material from the Unlimited Love sessions. Out Oct. 14, Return of the Dream Canteen features 17 new Chili Peppers songs, including the funk-heavy "Tippa My Tongue" (accompanied bya joyfully psychedelic music video) and the more contemplative "Eddie."

The band showcased the new material on their sold-out stadium tour across the U.S., including a homecoming show at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium that featured a career-spanning setlist and support from Beck and Thundercat. — J.T.

Read More: For The Record: Inside Red Hot Chili Peppers' Masterpiece Stadium Arcadium At 15

The 1975 - Being Funny in a Foreign Language

Release date: October 14

Following 2020's sprawling Notes On On A Conditional Form, pop shapeshifters The 1975 return this month with Being Funny in a Foreign Language. This time around, the group has focused its attention on just 11 tracks, working with pop super-producer Jack Antonoff to help crystallize their sound.

Excitingly for fans, The 1975 has already offered up four singles ahead of the album: "Part Of The Band," "Happiness," "I'm In Love With You," and "All I Need To Hear." Each single iterates on the signature 1975 sound, with frontman Matty Healy's poetic lyrics and nimble vocals as the common thread. The band's forthcoming world tour, cheekily titled The 1975 At Their Very Best, travels across the U.S. in November and December. — J.T.

Related: Bastille’s Dan Smith On Technological Mania & The "Totally Bizarre" Timing Of Their New Album, Give Me The Future

Mykki Blanco - Stay Close to Music

Release date: October 14

Mykki Blanco has remained at pop’s bleeding edge ever since debuting in 2012. Gradually, the mainstream has absorbed her innovations, and she’s now seen as a pioneer in queer-identified, hip-hop-inflected music. Her reach is clear in the track listing for Stay Close to Me, which is set for release on Transgressive and features ANOHNI, Saul Williams, FaltyDL, Michael Stipe, Diana Gordon, Jónsi and many others. The video for the romantic first single, "French Lessons," pays tribute to Georgian filmmaker Sergei Parajanov, incorporates post-apocalyptic imagery and symbolizes a global fight for queer liberation.

"I wanted to see what it would be like to go back and be a musician from another time where you had to start every ingredient raw from scratch," Blanco said in a press release. "That process, ideology and that way of making has not only changed me as a musician, it has creatively changed me as a person." — M.R.

Related: Cakes Da Killa's New Muvaland 2 EP Is A Joyride Back To '90s Ballroom

Taylor Swift - Midnights

Release date: October 21

Within hours of its announcement — and before a second of actual music hit the internet — Swifties came out in full force with countless theories as to the contents of Taylor Swift's upcoming album, Midnights. Whether the album turns out to be '90s pastiche, include a Drake feature, or be tied to National Reptile Day remains to be seen, that won't stop the fans from taking a fine-tooth comb to social media in the search for hints.

In the meantime, we have a few general notes confirmed: 13 tracks dedicated to "the stories of 13 sleepless nights," an album that comprises "a journey through terrors and sweet dreams." Lana Del Rey is set to guest on "Snow on the Beach," and Jack Antonoff is one of the producers. While revealing track titles on her TikTok series "Midnights Mayhem With Me," Swift explained that "Lavender Haze" details the feelings of protecting her relationship with Joe Alwyn from the swirl of media attention, and that "Anti-Hero" reveals some of her deepest insecurities. We only have to wait until Oct. 21 to learn the rest of the story, but that won't stop the speculation machine from roaring gloriously until then. — Lior Phillips

Read More: Everything We Know About Taylor Swift's New Album Midnights

Carly Rae Jepsen - The Loneliest Time

Release date: October 21

Canadian pop darling Carly Rae Jepsen will take her anthemic hooks to the disco on her sixth album, The Loneliest Time, due Oct. 21. While the 13 tracks imbue her melodies with '70s glitz and glam and a healthy dose of self-awareness, Jepsen's unmatched charm and playful spirit remain at the core. That duality and magic results in a four-and-a-half minute dancefloor duet with fellow Canadian pop eccentric Rufus Wainwright complete with lush strings, a talk-sung bridge, and Giorgio Moroder synth wobbles in which every moment feels essential.

Loneliest Time combines the focused stylistics and songwriting of 2015's superb Emotion with the confidence and willingness to experiment with 2019's Dedicated, and filters it down to distilled pop gems. Only Jepsen has the goofy earnestness (or is it earnest goofiness?) to pull off a campy track like "Beach House," in which three potential partners warn Jepsen that they'll probably hurt her feelings, need to borrow $10,000, and...um...harvest her organs. The late-night Minogue-esque wondering of "Talking To Yourself" and the golden shimmer of "Western Wind" expand on the dance pop equation, Jepsen as winning and sugary sweet as ever. And as if that weren't enough, Jepsen recorded upwards of a hundred tracks while putting The Loneliest Time together, so here's hoping another B Side record like those for Emotion and Dedicated is around the corner. — L.P.

Read More: Life-Changing Recordings: Carly Rae Jepsen

Arctic Monkeys -  The Car 

Release date: October 21

After waiting over four years for new music, Arctic Monkeys fans now have reason to rejoice. This month, the UK band will release its seventh studio album, The Car, which follows 2018's GRAMMY-nominated Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.

Having made their name with stomping rock anthems like "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" and "R U Mine?,"Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino signaled a new direction for the band into psychedelic and loungey pop. The Car is set to continue in that more refined tradition, as evidenced by the singles "Body Paint" and "There'd Better Be A Mirrorball," which both showcase frontman Alex Turner's richly emotive vocals over lush instrumentation. 

Arctic Monkeys have already planned out a US tour from August 2023, culminating in three nights at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. That gives you plenty of time to luxuriate in all the new album has to offer. — J.T.

Listen: Let Arctic Monkeys' Discography Inspire Your Perfect Post-Punk Capsule Wardrobe

Dawn Richard & Spencer Zahn - Pigments

Release date: October 21

After earning widespread acclaim with Second Line, a kinetic homage to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras Indians, avant-pop artist Dawn Richard is shifting gears again. Her collaboration with composer Spencer Zahn, Pigments, is a collection of contemporary classical music, ECM-style jazz and chamber pop.

Released via Merge Records, nearly half of the songs are instrumental suites by Zahn and his ensemble. The rest features Richard’s impressions on life as a young woman learning to embrace herself. Zahn has played bass on Richard’s tours, and has recorded four albums as a bandleader, including this year’s Pale Horizon. Before Pigments, the two collaborated on a 2018 remix of Zahn’s "Cyanotype." 

In a press release for Pigments, Richard explained, "I felt like the tools that I and other people like me were dealt weren’t shiny. Yet we still painted these beautiful pictures. This album is what it means to be a dreamer and finally reach a place where you’ve decided to love the pigments that you have." — M.R. 

Read More: Dawn Richard On Alchemizing Grief Into Joy, Advocating For Black Creators & Her NOLA-Honoring New Album Second Line

Natalia Lafourcade - De Todas las Flores

Release date: October 28

When Mexican songstress Natalia Lafourcade began work on her first collection of original songs since 2015’s exquisite Hasta la Raíz, she would show keyboardist Emiliano Dorante images of Claude Monet paintings as a visual guidepost for what the music should sound like. While the influence of Claude Debussy can be heard on the atmospheric piano intro to "Llévamente Viento," but the new album is also seeped in sinuous folk rhythms (the ritual-like "Muerte"), abstract jazzy textures — veteran guitarist Marc Ribot is part of Lafourcade’s band — and the sunny tropi-surf vibes of "Canta La Arena."

Recorded live in a Texas studio without any previous rehearsals and no outside guests allowed, the album was mixed in Paris with producer Adán Jodorowsky after a much anticipated visit to Monet’s gardens, De Todas Las Flores is one of Lafourcade’s most fully realized efforts. At 38, she continues developing a novel language for Latin music, informed by life-affirming moments of self-reflection and discovery. — E.L.

Read More: Natalia Lafourcade On Un Canto Por México, Vol. II, Music As Activism & Uniting Women Through "La Llorona"

Fred again.. -  Actual Life 3 (January 1 - September 9 2022)

Release date: October 28

(including "Turn On The Lights again.." with Swedish House Mafia and Future), bootlegs and remixes, the set has blown up online, stacking up 6.9 million views on YouTube since July. Building on that momentum, Fred again.. is currently on a sold-out tour across the U.S.

After a three-night stint at Terminal 5 in New York, Fred again.. will drop his much-anticipated Actual Life 3 (January 1- September 9 2022) on Oct. 28. The Actual Life series began in April 2021, and each edition features the producer's electronic soundscapes intercut with audio recordings from his life and travels. 

Actual Life 3 (January 1- September 9 2022) features some of the highpoints from the Boiler Room session, such as the 070 Shake-sampling "Danielle (smile on my face)" and the bassy earworm "Kammy (like i do)." — J.T.

Read More: The Rise Of Underground House: How Artists Like Fisher & Acraze Have Taken Tech House, Other Electronic Genres From Indie To EDC

Lee Fields - Sentimental Fool 

Release date: October 28

At 72 years of age, Lee Fields encapsulates the very essence of soul and its healing power. Born in North Carolina, he was deeply inspired by James Brown and released his first single, "Bewildered," in 1969. Fields has soldiered on through the decades, with live performances and a series of superb albums in the ‘90s and into the new millennium. Released on Daptone Records, Sentimental Fool finds his amazing vocalizing framed by a sympathetic ensemble.

Simmering opening cut "Forever" sounds like a classic Stax cut from the ‘60s, while "Ordinary Lives" boasts sweet sax riffs, spiraling guitar patterns and a majestic bass line. Age has done wonders to his singing. He sounds relaxed on the new tracks, but still able to emote mountains of sorrow, hope and joy   all within the same song. Fields will celebrate the release of the album with an extended U.S. tour that will continue through December. — E.L.

Where, What Channel & How To Watch The Full 2023 GRAMMYs

While 2023 may be coming to an end, the first releases of December prove that it's far from time to wind down.

From Taylor Swift — who released "You’re Losing Me," a song originally recorded for her 2022 smash album — to Dua Lipa’s extended edit of her single "Houdini," and Lana Del Rey's cover of "Take Me Home, Country Roads," listeners are being treated to new tracks from familiar favorites today.

But surprise releases were the theme of the day as Beyoncé dropped "MY HOUSE," a single accompanying her Renaissance concert film.

Dec. 1 also sees a bevy of reissue and archival releases, exciting new projects from artists like singer/songwriter Dove Cameron, and the second studio album from K-pop group ATEEZ. 

Start off your month by listening to these tracks and albums from seven artists that will jumpstart your month.

Beyoncé - "MY HOUSE"

Queen Bey surprised fans with an early Christmas present by dropping "MY HOUSE," her first single since 2022’s Renaissance. This track was featured during the credits of her new Renaissance concert film.

Written and produced by The-Dream, this song showcases Beyoncé’s rapping skills, as she effortlessly weaves verses over a powerful horn melody. There's a vibe check in the song's second half, where the music becomes a smooth, electronic dance groove reminiscent of Renaissance’s ballroom vibe. 

Jung Kook & Usher - "Standing Next To You (Remix)"

BTS' pop singer Jung Kook is back with a remix to his track "Standing Next To You," this time joined by an R&B sensation. The remix features a new verse from  Usher, who adds a delicate touch to the vibrant, high-paced song.

The original track was released last month as a single on Jung Kook’s debut album, GOLDEN. This could be fans' last time hearing Jung Kook's music for a while — the "golden maknae" of BTS announced he’s enlisting for mandatory military service this month.

Tyla - "Truth or Dare"

GRAMMY-nominated Afrobeats star Tyla is closing the year with a sneak peek of her upcoming self-titled album. The hypotonic single "Truth or Dare," following the success of her GRAMMY-nominated song "Water" (the song is nominated for Best African Music Performance at the 2024 GRAMMYs alongside "Amapiano" by ASAKE & Olamide, "City Boys" by Burna Boy, Davido's "UNAVAILABLE" feat. Musa Keys, and "Rush" by Ayra Starr).

In this new song, Tyla revisits an old flame — this time with newfound wisdom and assurance that she won’t fall for his charm anymore: "So let's play truth or dare, dare you to forget / That you used to treat me just like anyone."

Tyla announced her upcoming self-titled album on social media, captioning, "African music is going global and I’m so blessed to be one of the artists pushing the culture. I’ve been working on my sound for 2 years now and I’m so ready for the world to hear it."

Lana Del Rey - "Take Me Home, Country Roads"

After performing during "Christmas At Graceland," a televised tribute to Elvis Presley, Lana Del Rey dropped a surprise cover of John Denver’s 1971 hit "Take Me Home, Country Roads."

This cover might not come as a shock for fans after she referenced a line from Denver’s 1972 "Rocky Mountain High" on her track "The Grants" from GRAMMY-nominated album Did You Know There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. (At the 2024 GRAMMYs, Did You Know is nominated for Album Of The Year alongside Jon Batiste's World Music Radio, Olivia Rodrigo's Guts, Swift's Midnights, Janelle Monae's The Age Of Pleasure, SZA's SOS, Miley Cyrus' Endless Summer Vacation and the record by boygenius. Did You Know is also nominated for Best Alternative Music Album alongside The Car by Arctic Monkeys, PJ Harvey's I Inside The Old Year Dying, Gorillaz's Cracker Island and boygenius' album.)

The track features Del Rey’s signature soothing vocals, as a Western-style melody balances the instrumentation. She brings her own sultry style to this '70s country classic, while continuing to show her musical versatility.

ATEEZ - The World EP:FIN:WILL

Five years after their debut album, K-pop group ATEEZ  have returned with The World EP:FIN:WILL. The 12-track album is led by "Crazy Form," an Afrobeats/dancehall-influenced track, and also features many solo and unit tracks from the group.

Members Hong Joong and Seonghwa took the reins on "Matz," a dynamic hip-hop track, while Yeosang, San and Wooyoung collaborated for the R&B-influenced "It’s You." 

During a Seoul press conference, Lead Hong Joong spoke about the group’s evolution and how fans should look forward to future releases. 

"This year marks our fifth debut anniversary and so far, our greatest achievement has been establishing a strong relationship with our fans around the world. We hope to continue presenting music that can make our fans proud of us," he said. 

Living Legends: Stephen Marley On 'Old Soul,' Being A Role Model & The Bob Marley Biopic 

One of the biggest days in music has arrived: the nominations for the 2024 GRAMMYs.

With the excitement of the 2024 GRAMMYs nominations — which were announced on Nov. 10 — comes many big milestones. Whether it's first-time feats by this year's most nominated artist, SZA, or record-tying nominations by Taylor Swift, there's several intriguing takeaways from the 94 categories.  

Below, check out five major outcomes of the 2024 GRAMMYs nominations.

SZA's Big Year Is Rewarded

There's no denying that SZA has been one of the year's most in-demand artists, and her GRAMMY nominations reflect that. With nine nominations, SZA is the most-nominated artist at the 2024 GRAMMYs — and she has a lot of new milestones to celebrate.

With 15 nominations and one win going into the 2024 GRAMMYs, SZA had already received nods in several major categories. But her most recent noms are particularly special because they're all for her own work.

SZA's ambitious second album, SOS, is the singer's first LP to receive an Album Of The Year nomination, while lead single "Kill Bill" is her first solo song to be nominated in the Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year categories. (She was previously nominated for AOTY as a featured artist on Doja Cat's Planet Her (Deluxe) in 2022, and for ROTY and SOTY with Kendrick Lamar for "All The Stars" in 2019 and with Doja Cat for "Kiss Me More" in 2022.)

Plus, the R&B star expands her nominations within her own genre: she's nominated in the Best Progressive R&B Album (SOS) and Best Traditional R&B Performance ("Love Language") categories for the first time.

Women Lead The Pack

Who run the 2024 GRAMMYs? Girls.

SZA is far from the only female artist with several GRAMMY nominations this year. Of the nine most-nominated artists, eight are women: SZA (9), Phoebe Bridgers (7), boygenius (6), Brandy Clark (6), Miley Cyrus (6), Olivia Rodrigo (6), Taylor Swift (6), and Victoria Monét (6). As Cyrus noted in a social media post celebrating her nominations, "Watching women win & rule the music industry makes me proud."

In fact, a majority of this year's leading nominees are women artists or groups. The Record Of The Year and Album Of The Year categories, as well as the Best Pop Solo Performance category, are all dominated by women.

What's more, four of five nominees in the Best R&B Song and Best R&B Album are women — the latter of which features Babyface's Girls Night Out, an album of collaborations with female artists.

'Barbie' Dominates Once Again

Another woman who took over the 2024 GRAMMYs nominations was Barbie — well, sort of.

The Barbie soundtrack and some of its hit songs received 11 nominations, four of which dominate the Best Song Written For Visual Media category: Nicki Minaj's and Ice Spice's "Barbie World," Dua Lipa's "Dance The Night," Ryan Gosling's "I'm Just Ken," and Billie Eilish's "What Was I Made For?" (They'll be competing against Rihanna's highly anticipated return to music, "Lift Me Up" from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.)

"Dance the Night" also earned a coveted Song Of The Year nomination, while "What Was I Made For?" scored nods in both Song Of The Year and Record Of The Year, as well as Best Pop Solo Performance. Additionally, "Barbie World" received a nomination for Best Rap Song.

Naturally, Barbie The Album is nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media nomination. Mark Ronson's genius was further rewarded with a nom for Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media, which he earned alongside his co-composer, Andrew Wyatt.

Artists Add Big Firsts

Like the 2023 GRAMMYs nominations, the 2024 GRAMMYs nominations resulted in many exciting firsts. While several artists are receiving their first GRAMMY nods — some of which will be highlighted in GRAMMY.com's Meet The First-Time GRAMMY Nominee series in January — there are also several GRAMMY veterans with firsts to celebrate

Taylor Swift, for example, became the first songwriter to receive seven nominations in the Song Of The Year category. Along with her current nomination for "Anti-Hero," she was previously nominated for "All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (The Short Film)," "cardigan," "Lover," "Blank Space," "Shake It Off," and "You Belong With Me." And she could be making even more history at the 2024 GRAMMYs — but more on that later.

Miley Cyrus also achieved new GRAMMY feats, as her acclaimed eighth album, Endless Summer Vacation, is the pop star's first project to receive an Album Of The Year nomination. (She received an AOTY nod in 2022 as a featured artist on Lil Nas X's MONTERO.) The LP's smash lead single, "Flowers," helped Cyrus earn her first nominations in the Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Best Pop Solo Performance categories as well, and her collab with Brandi Carlile, "Thousand Miles," earned her first nod for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

R&B singer Victoria Monét isn't celebrating her first GRAMMY nominations this year, but she is celebrating her first as an artist. Monét had previously received three nominations: two in 2020 for her work as a songwriter/producer on Ariana Grande's "7 rings" (Record Of The Year) and thank u, next (Album Of The Year), and one in 2021 for Chloe x Halle's "Do It" (Best R&B Song). All six of her 2024 GRAMMY nominations recognize her work as an artist herself, including the esteemed honor of Best New Artist. Her other nods are for her debut album, JAGUAR II: Record Of The Year ("On My Mama"), Best R&B Performance ("How Does It Make You Feel"), Best Traditional R&B Performance ("Hollywood"), Best R&B Song ("On My Mama"), and Best R&B Album.

This also isn't the first time Phoebe Bridgers has received GRAMMY nominations — but it is for her supergroup boygenius, as well as for her bandmates Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker. With their six nods (including Album Of The Year for the record and Record Of The Year for "Not Strong Enough"), they became the first group to receive six or more GRAMMY nominations in a single year since 2012, when fun. and Mumford & Sons received six nominations each at the 2013 GRAMMYs.

A handful of other previously GRAMMY-nominated artists received their first nominations in new categories this year. 2022's Best New Artist, Olivia Rodrigo, earned her first in a Rock category for "ballad of a homeschooled girl" (Best Rock Song); 2022's Album Of The Year winner, Jon Batiste, has his first in the Song Of The Year ("Butterfly") and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance ("Candy Necklace" with Lana Del Rey) categories; Brandy Clark collected her first in the Best Americana Performance ("Dear Insecurity" with Brandi Carlile), Best American Roots Song ("Dear Insecurity") and Best Americana Album (Brandy Clark) categories, as well as her first in the Best Musical Theater Album category for "Shucked."

It's actually the first time a few artists are nominated for contributions to film and theater: Dua Lipa, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna are all first-time Best Song Written For Visual Media nominees, and Josh Groban earned his first nod in the Best Musical Theater Album category, for his role as principal vocalist in "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street."

Last but certainly not least, in the Best African Music Performance category — one of three new categories for the 2024 GRAMMYs — four of the five artists or groups are first-time GRAMMY nominees: ASAKE & Olamide ("Amapiano"), Davido Featuring Musa Keys ("UNAVAILABLE"), Ayra Starr ("Rush"), and Tyla ("Water").

Taylor Swift Aims For More GRAMMY History

As Swifties know, Taylor Swift is no stranger to making GRAMMY history. In 2021, she made history as the first female artist to win Album Of The Year three times — but in 2024, she could become the artist with the most wins in the category ever.

That's right: If Swift's Midnights takes home the golden gramophone for Album Of The Year, she'll have a record-breaking four wins in the category, passing Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder.

Even if she doesn't win, Swift has already tied a GRAMMY record. With her nomination for Midnights, Swift now ties Barbra Streisand for most nominations by a female artist for Album Of The Year, with six nominations in the category each. 

Will Taylor Swift make more GRAMMY history? Will SZA cap off her unstoppable year with a GRAMMY win? Will Miley Cyrus get her "Flowers"? Tune into CBS on Feb. 4, 2024 to find out!

2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List

The Song Of The Year GRAMMY Award honors the best releases in the music business, and the eight nominees for the golden gramophone at the 2024 GRAMMYs come from a variety of established singer/songwriters. From dance anthems to pop bops, ballads and R&B smashes, the nominees for Song Of The Year showcase the breadth of emotions of the past year.

Before tuning into the 2024 GRAMMYs on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, learn more about this year's Song Of The Year nominees below.

"A&W" - Lana Del Rey

Songwriters: Jack Antonoff, Lana Del Rey & Sam Dew

The second single from her ninth studio album, Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, "A&W" is a refreshing addition to Lana Del Rey’s expansive discography.

Another shattered portrait of the American Dream, the seven-minute epic, oscillates from madness to exhaustion, as Del Rey described feeling burned out by being objectified and perceived as an "American whore." What begins as a psychedelic folk ballad erupts into a defiant trap number interpolated with a doo-wop standard by the four-minute mark of the chaotic number.

"I’m a princess, I’m divisive/Ask me why I’m like this/Maybe I just kinda like this," Del Rey anxiously warbles. Later, she expresses her resignation surrounding rape culture: "If I told you that I was raped/ Do you really think that anybody would think/ I didn't ask for it? I didn't ask for it/ I won't testify, I already f—ed up my story."

"Anti-Hero" - Taylor Swift

Songwriters: Jack Antonoff & Taylor Swift

"Anti-Hero" showcased a new side of Taylor Swift — a rare moment where the 33-year-old pop star confronted her flaws in the public eye.

"I really don’t think I’ve delved this far into my insecurities in this detail before," Swift said of the track in an Instagram video. "Not to sound too dark, but, like, I just struggle with the idea of not feeling like a person."

The self-loathing synth-pop anthem — with its cheeky chorus — catapulted "Anti Hero" into virality. With its ubiquitous meaning, the song topped charts and became a staple of pop radio. Now, it’s enjoying the highest praise as a contender for Song Of The Year. 

"Butterfly" - Jon Batiste

Songwriters: Jon Batiste & Dan Wilson

Beyond its sound, what makes Jon Batiste’s "Butterfly" so stunning is the story behind it. The touching jazz-soul fusion track is an iteration of the lullabies Batiste penned while his wife Suleika Jaouad was hospitalized during her cancer treatment.

"It’s just such a personal narrative song in relation to my life and what my family has gone through and my wife and all of the things she’s been able to overcome," the 36-year-old GRAMMY winner told PEOPLE.

"Butterfly" is featured on Batiste's latest album, World Music Radio. Like much of his discography, "Butterfly" is inherently uplifting but there’s an underlying yearning for freedom. "Butterfly in the air/ Where you can fly anywhere/ A sight beyond compare," Batiste croons over stripped-down keys.

"Dance The Night" (From Barbie The Album) - Dua Lipa 

Songwriters: Caroline Ailin, Dua Lipa, Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt

With the release of her pop-funk epic Future Nostalgia during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dua Lipa proved she could master the art of escapism. On "Dance The Night," a thrilling dance-pop number from the star-studded Barbie soundtrack, she channels that same inspiration with a side of glitter and glam.

"Greta said that the whole film was inspired by disco. There’s a lot of very glittery and pop moments in it," the 28-year-old singer said of how the track fits into the movie in an interview with Dazed.

Over a sleek synth, the pop star reflects the unwavering joy Barbie outwardly emanates while she’s crumbling inside: "Even when the tears are flowin' like diamonds on my face/I'll still keep the party goin', not one hair out of place (yes, I can)."

"Flowers" - Miley Cyrus

Songwriters: Miley Cyrus, Gregory Aldae Hein & Michael Pollack

Miley Cyrus has perfected the art of reinventing herself. With the post-breakup number "Flowers," she reclaimed her independence and took a hard turn from gritty rock back into pop music. "I can take myself dancing, yeah/ I can hold my own hand/ Yeah, I can love me better than you can," she belts over a disco-pop beat.

While the 30-year-old musician wouldn’t share if "Flowers" was indeed about her ex-husband Liam Hemsworth, the song became an empowering earworm from a more refined version of the longtime musician.

"The song is a little fake it till you make it," she said of "Flowers" in an interview with British Vogue. "Which I’m a big fan of." It turns out she made it with a nomination for Song Of The Year at the 2024 GRAMMY Awards.

"Kill Bill" - SZA

Songwriters: Rob Bisel, Carter Lang & Solána Rowe

On the psychedelic R&B groove of "Kill Bill," which references the legendary Quentin Tarantino film, SZA dreams up her own unfiltered revenge fantasy. "I might kill my ex / Not the best idea / His new girlfriend's next / How'd I get here?" she ponders over an airy melody.

The song stands out on the R&B singer’s latest album, SOS, for not only its cheeky wordplay but for how visceral she portrayed the devastation of a breakup. 

Despite its popularity, the 34-year-old singer initially thought one of the other songs on her 23-track album would have topped the charts. "It's always a song that I don't give a f— about that's just super easy, not the s— that I put so much heart and energy into. 'Kill Bill' was super easy — one take, one night," the singer told Billboard of "Kill Bill’s" success.

"Vampire" - Olivia Rodrigo

Songwriters: Daniel Nigro & Olivia Rodrigo

Like her explosive debut "Drivers License," Olivia Rodrigo opted for a swelling power ballad for the lead single of her sophomore album Guts. On "Vampire," the singer/songwriter recalls a parasitic relationship with a swelling power ballad that erupts into a booming guitar breakdown. "Bloodsucker, famef—er/ Bleedin' me dry, like a goddamn vampire," she sings with a bitter lilt.

While many speculated the song was about a toxic relationship, Rodrigo claimed it’s more nuanced than that. "It’s more about my regret and kind of beating myself up for doing something that I knew wasn’t gonna turn out great and kind of just taking ownership of that and dealing with those feelings," she told Sirius XM Hits 1.

Regardless, the 20-year-old artist turned something bitter into something sweet by landing a Song Of The Year nomination.

"What Was I Made For?" [From The Motion Picture "Barbie"] - Billie Eilish

Songwriters: Billie Eilish O'Connell & Finneas O'Connell

Not only was the Barbie movie a massive hit, its soundtrack was, too, thanks to a slew of chart-topping artists including Dua Lipa, HAIM and Sam Smith. So it’s no surprise that Billie Eilish made that list as well, and delivered a gutting ballad that soundtracked one of the most heartbreaking moments of the film.

The wistful single, which arrives at the devastating realization that you’re not real and are instead meant to be consumed, aptly embodies the narrative arc of the box office smash. "Looked so alive, turns out I'm not real/ Just something you paid for/ What was I made for," the 21-year-old musician sings with a heartbreaking lilt. 

While writing the sobering number, Eilish tried to embody the essence of the life-sized doll herself. "I was purely inspired by this movie and this character and the way I thought she would feel, and wrote about that," she told Zane Lowe of Apple Music. 

The 2024 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 66th GRAMMY Awards, returns to Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, and will broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and stream live and on-demand on Paramount+ at 8-11:30 p.m. ET/5-8:30 p.m. PT.

The Recording Academy and GRAMMY.com do not endorse any particular artist, submission or nominee over another. The results of the GRAMMY Awards, including winners and nominees, are solely dependent on the Recording Academy’s Voting Membership.

2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List

Throughout the past year, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift delivered inescapable pop anthems, while Victoria Monét and SZA proved that R&B deserves a place in the spotlight. Jon Batiste continued to evolve his artistry, while indie supergroup boygenius made an anticipated comeback.

With so many standout moments, the golden gramophone Record Of The Year — which is awarded to the artist and the producer(s), recording engineer(s) and/or mixer(s) and mastering engineer(s) — is shaping up to be a thrilling contest at the 2024 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 66th GRAMMY Awards.

Before tuning into the 2024 GRAMMYs on Feb. 4, 2024, learn more about this year's Record Of The Year nominees below.

Jon Batiste - "Worship" 

Jon Batiste has been revered for his refreshing take on jazz, but the multi-instrumentalist showed that his talents stretch beyond the genre on his seventh album, World Music Radio.

Album highlight "Worship" encapsulates the LP’s message of unification and community by fusing various global sounds. The song is quite the joyride, beginning with bellowing organs before a choir joins with a glorious harmony and finally explodes with a Latin samba party. "We are born the same / Return to that place" Batiste repeats throughout the song, driving home his inclusive mission.

"Worship" is a joyous anthem and, following his Album Of The Year win at the 2023 GRAMMYs for We Are, it’s clear the five-time GRAMMY winner is keeping the celebration going.

boygenius -"Not Strong Enough"  

Nearly five years after boygenius released their debut self-titled EP, the trio of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus returned again with a full-length, The Record. 

The LP beautifully captured just how well the women rockers work together, and their chemistry is best seen in "Not Strong Enough." The single’s lush harmonies and feather-light guitars are a contrast to the candid lyricism, which attempts to juggle insecurities and having a God complex. 

"The two wolves inside us can be self-hatred and self-aggrandizing," Bridgers explained to Rolling Stone. "Being like, ‘I’m not strong enough to show up for you. I can’t be the partner that you want me to be.’ But also being like, ‘I’m too f—ed up. I’m unknowable in some deep way!’"

"Not Strong Enough" marks a career milestone for boygenius, as it's the group’s first nomination for Record Of The Year.

Miley Cyrus - "Flowers"  

A truly great pop star knows how to make a break-up anthem for the ages. Miley Cyrus already had a few under her belt, but she kicked off the year with her strongest offering to date.

"Flowers" was suggested to be inspired by Cyrus’ divorce from Liam Hemsworth, but the song’s messaging goes well beyond the singer’s personal life. Many can relate to having to pick up the pieces of a broken heart, but Cyrus’ confident vocals paired with the soaring disco-inspired melody reassure that self-love is the ultimate healer.

"The chorus was originally: ‘I can buy myself flowers, write my name in the sand, but I can’t love me better than you can,’" the singer told British Vogue of the song’s original lyrics. "It used to be more, like, 1950s. The saddest song. Like: ‘Sure, I can be my own lover, but you’re so much better.’" 

The subtle decision to flip the "can’t" into a "can" showcases the brilliance of Cyrus’ songwriting, which ultimately makes the meaning of "Flowers" that much more empowering.

Billie Eilish & FINNEAS - "What Was I Made For?" 

The Barbie movie was arguably this year’s biggest pop culture phenomenon, so of course the soundtrack had equally big names. But among the midst of fast-paced and glittery pop songs, Billie Eilish’s contribution tugged at heartstrings. The seven-time GRAMMY winner teamed with her brother and go-to collaborator FINNEAS for "What Was I Made For?"

It’s a tender, melancholic ballad that ties in the movie’s themes of autonomy and balancing feminism in a patriarchal world, with Eilish still holding on to hope: "I don’t know how to feel / But someday I might." The song reflects a universal experience for many women, including Eilish herself — although she didn’t realize it at first. 

​​"I was purely inspired by this movie and this character and the way I thought she would feel and wrote about that," Eilish told Zane Lowe for Apple Music 1. "Over the next couple days, I was listening and [realized] I was writing for myself and I don’t even know it." That relatability is one of the beauties of music, for listeners and artists alike.

Victoria Monét - "On My Mama"  

Victoria Monét has a long songwriting history, penning hits for the likes of Brandy, BLACKPINK, Chloe x Halle and longtime friend Ariana Grande. And while she’s released solo music in the past, her debut album Jaguar II cements her place within R&B’s new crop of stars. Third single "On My Mama" took the scene by storm, bringing together millennials and Gen Z’s shared love of ‘00s nostalgia. 

Sampling Chalie Boy’s 2009 song "I Look Good" and lined with Monét’s signature horns, the song is a celebration of Black southern culture. As Monét described it on "The Ebro Show" on Apple Music 1, "It’s an anthem for affirmations, positive self-talk, manifestations, living in abundance, [and] speaking things into existence."

Olivia Rodrigo - "Vampire" 

What makes Olivia Rodrigo a captivating artist is her honesty. Her ability to capture her generation’s emotional nature is why 2021’s debut album Sour took pop music by storm (and also made her a three-time GRAMMY winner). And she’s continued the movement with "Vampire", the lead single from her sophomore album, Guts. 

The song is a red herring of sorts, beginning with melancholic piano keys that often kickstart the singer’s tunes. But rather than shed tears, she unleashes the fury of a woman scorned, dishing out insults to a manipulative ex-lover that ripped her heart out. "Bloodsucker, famef—er / Bleedin' me dry, like a goddamn vampire" she seethes on the chorus. The best revenge is always served cold.

Taylor Swift - "Anti-Hero" 

Taylor Swift has grown to be even more self-aware as her status ascends. She knows being a pop superstar comes with its challenges, and “Anti-Hero” reveals the woman behind the glitzy veil. Inspired by her nightmares, the chart-topping smash from tTaylor Swift has become even more self aware as her status ascends. She knows being a pop superstar comes with its challenges, and "Anti-Hero" reveals the woman behind the glitzy veil.

Inspired by her nightmares, the chart-topping smash from the 12-time GRAMMY winner’s tenth album Midnights is a personal journal into feelings of self-doubt and anxiety. But in natural Swift fashion, the dark lyricism is anchored by hopeful pop synths courtesy of longtime collaborator and co-producer Jack Antonoff. The video heightens the song’s themes, as Swift confronts various versions of her former selves.

"We all hate things about ​​ourselves, and it's all of those aspects of the things we dislike and like about ourselves that we have to come to terms with if we're going to be this person," Swift shared with fans on Instagram. That refreshing honesty is what makes "Anti-Hero" one of the singer’s most successful songs to date.

SZA - "Kill Bill"  

Leave it to SZA to make murder sound so sweet. On SOS standout single "Kill Bill," the singer takes a page from director Quentin Tarantino by nodding to his 2003 film, as she lives out her vengeful fantasies. 

The GRAMMY winner’s raging jealousy landed "Kill Bill" atop the Billboard Hot 100, making it her first-ever solo No.1 hit. SZA brought the fatal single to life with a cinematic music video, which pays homage to Kill Bill with fierce action scenes and  an appearance from Vivica A. Fox, who starred as a Deadly Viper and Thurman's enemy Vernita Green in the film.

"I've never raged the way that I should have. This is my villain era, and I'm very comfortable with that," the singer shared with Glamour about her album’s themes. "It is in the way I say no. It's in the f–ked up things that I don't apologize for." And with lyrics like "I did all of this sober" on "Kill Bill," you have no choice but to believe her.

2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List