2023 Grammy Predictions

It’s that time of year again when awards season rolls around. The 2023 Grammy Awards are slated to take place Feb. 5, and the official Grammy nominations have been announced. Last year, The Rockhound got four predictions right out of seven. Here are the projections for the 65th award ceremony.

By Kendall Polidori

BEST AMERICANA ALBUM

NOMINEES:

In These Silent Days (Brandi Carlile)

Things Happen That Way (Dr. John)

Good to Be (Home Again) (Keb’ Mo’)

Raise the Roof (Alison Krauss and Robert Plant)

Just Like That (Bonnie Raitt)

Brandi Carlile

Getty Images

WHO WILL WIN:

In These Silent Days (Brandi Carlile)

WHO SHOULD WIN:

In These Silent Days (Brandi Carlile)

Brandi Carlile hasn’t slowed down this year. From the release of her album, In These Silent Days, and her live concert film, In The Canyon Haze, to headlining shows throughout the year, Carlile is a force to be reckoned with. With seven studio albums, 18 Grammy Award nominations and six wins behind her, In These Silent Days might be her best album yet. She’s a shoo-in.

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM

NOMINEES:

We (Arcade Fire)

Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You (Big Thief)

Fossora (Björk)

Wet Leg (Wet Leg)

Cool It Down (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)

Big Thief

Josh Goleman

WHO WILL WIN: Wet Leg (Wet Leg)

WHO SHOULD WIN: Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You (Big Thief)

As reported by The Rockhound in the article “Music in 2023” (read the full story at luckboxmagazine.com), Wet Leg has been plowing through the indie scene since 2021. It’s difficult to find someone who doesn’t know Wet Leg, or at least their single Chaise Lounge. While Wet Leg’s debut self-titled album was one of the best to come out of 2022, Big Thief’s Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You is likely 2022’s most underrated album. In terms of songwriting, technique, production and instrumental variety, Big Thief deserves the award for Best Alternative Music Album. Their fifth studio album marks a certain moment of mastery and maturity in their craft.

BEST ROCK SONG

NOMINEES:

Black Summer (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

BLACKOUT (Turnstile)

Broken Horses (Brandi Carlile)

Harmonia’s Dream (The War on Drugs)

Patient Number 9 (Ozzy Osbourne featuring Jeff Beck)

Turnstile

Jimmy Fountaine

WHO WILL WIN: Black Summer (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

WHO SHOULD WIN: BLACKOUT (Turnstile)

This is a case where classic rockers Red Hot Chili Peppers will win because they reunited with guitarist John Frusciante and released an album reminiscent of the band’s best music with him during the ‘90s. Black Summer is good for a Red Hot Chili Peppers song, but Turnstile’s BLACKOUT represents a more modern take on where rock is headed. It’s fresh, with slightly more production, and it appeals to a younger generation of rock fans. The band made waves in the industry last year and will tour with Blink-182 this year.

BEST ROCK ALBUM

NOMINEES:

Dropout Boogie (The Black Keys)

The Boy Named If (Elvis Costello and The Imposters)

CRAWLER (IDLES)

Mainstream Sellout (Machine Gun Kelly)

Patient Number 9 (Ozzy Osbourne)

Lucifer on the Sofa (Spoon)

IDLES

Pooneh Ghana

WHO WILL WIN: Mainstream Sellout (Machine Gun Kelly)

WHO SHOULD WIN: CRAWLER (IDLES)

Mainstream Sellout is the perfect way to describe Machine Gun Kelly’s latest album. It’s mainstream. The rapper-turned-pop-punk-rocker is one of the nation’s most popular celebrities at the moment and has headlined major festivals including Lollapalooza in Chicago. But, that doesn’t mean his music is necessarily Grammyworthy. Looking deep at the essence of rock music—loud, angsty and instrumentdriven—IDLES should not be ignored. In fact, their music is so captivating it’s impossible to ignore. Their fifth studio album, CRAWLER, is one of the most highenergy and poetically crafted rock albums of the past decade. Their single The Beachland Ballroom is particularly notable. Read The Rockhound’s live review of IDLES at luckboxmagazine.com.

BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR

WHO WILL WIN: RENAISSANCE (Beyoncé)

WHO SHOULD WIN: Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (Kendrick Lamar)

Kendrick Lamar

Getty Images

SONG OF THE YEAR

WHO WILL WIN: About Damn Time (Lizzo)

WHO SHOULD WIN: Bad Habit (Steve Lacy)

BEST NEW ARTIST

WHO WILL WIN: Måneskin

WHO SHOULD WIN: Wet Leg

Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones perform at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas during the band’s No Filter Tour on Nov. 6, 2021.

Getty Images

Like a Rolling Stone

For the first time in 18 years, legendary rockers The Rolling Stones are reportedly set to release a brand new album of original material in 2023.

Band members have been recording tracks in New York for the new album, according to several sources.

The band’s last original album, A Bigger Bang, was released in 2005, and their upcoming album release will be No. 23 in their discography.

It will also be their first album recorded without founding drummer Charlie Watts, who died in 2021. Steve Jordan, American musical director, producer and songwriter, is now in his place.

The band is set to tour the U.S., South America and Europe following the album release.

More Grammy Nominations

Kendall Polidori is The Rockhound Luckbox’s resident rock critic. Follow her reviews on Instagram and Twitter @rockhoundlb.