10 Best Albums That Deserved 2025 Grammy Nominations But Overlooked

This year, a bunch of great albums didn’t get Grammy nominations. That’s a shame because they really deserved a chance. Lemon Twigs and Zach Bryan had amazing albums. Also, Vince Staples dropped a dope hip-hop album this year. top-notch albums in 2024. They’ve been around forever and still know how to make music that hits home.

Charli XCX also put out a solid album this year. Kings of Leon released some great tracks too. They’ve got that special something that makes their music stand out.

Now, let’s talk about the 67th Grammy Awards snubbed albums. I bet you’ll like these albums. It’s time to give them some love.

Are Grammys Biased to Table Toppers?

It seems so. Pop dominates the Grammys. It’s no secret. Have a look at the biggest Grammy nomination surprises and snubs, you’ll see how many legendary albums aren’t even nominated. It’s not that these albums aren’t good enough, the system just favors chart-toppers.

Rock and metal legends have been ignored for decades. Jazz artists struggle for mainstream recognition. Meanwhile, indie and progressive bands keep getting passed over. The Grammys often said they’ve broader music categories, to appreciate all kinds of music. But this really is something else.

10 Best Albums That Didn’t Get Nominated for a Grammy in 2025

Here’s a list of underrated albums of 2024 that Grammys overlooked.

Here’s a list of underrated albums of 2024 but overlooked by Grammys.

Album Name	Artist	Genre
A Dream is All We Know	The Lemon Twigs	Power Pop
The Great American Bar Scene	Zach Bryan	Country
Smile	Porter Robinson	Electro Pop
Dark Times	Vince Staples	Hip Hop
Lives Outgrown	Beth Gibbons	Chamber Pop
You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To	Knocked Loose	Hardcore Punk
Access All Areas	FLO	R&B
Can We Please Have Fun	Kings of Leon	Arena Rock
Big Ideas	Remi Wolf	Alt-Pop
The New Sound	Geordie Greep	Progressive Rock

1. A Dream is All We Know – The Lemon Twigs 

The Lemon Twigs hit us with “A Dream is All We Know” in March. These D’Addario brothers are something else! Man, the ’70s rock vibes just pour out of this record.

I don’t get why they aren’t nominated. The Grammy folks probably thought it “too retro” and moved on. But those harmonies are pure gold, trust me! Would’ve crushed that Alternative Album category that St. Vincent took, for the album All Born Screaming.

2. The Great American Bar Scene- Zach Bryan

This album was different when it dropped in March. The production is way cleaner than his earlier stuff, but it still feels raw and real. His songwriting keeps getting better. Throughout the album, he was painting these vivid small-town life.

The acoustic guitar tones are warmer, and he’s playing with pedal steel more. Grammy voters probably think the country music needs polished Nashville production. They’re wrong. This is the real deal.

Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDsK6q10Y1k

3. Smile – Porter Robinson

In this album, Porter Robinson has shown the next level of synth work! He’s using these vintage analog synths but processing them through modern granular synthesis. The side-chain compression is so clean you barely notice it.

The Grammy folks probably thought it was too experimental for Dance/Electronic. But this is what’s the problem with Grammy nominations. Innovation doesn’t come with comfort always.

Listen to it here: https://youtu.be/CzJbz9qSsd0?si=1Plae3gwcWIeGvFL

4. Dark Times – Vince Staples

Vince Staples in that album was too good with his flow. The flow is sharper than ever, and the minimalist beats let his lyrics cut deeper. He’s rapping about heavy stuff, but the beats keep this hypnotic groove. Love how he’s using space in the mix – sometimes just his voice and a simple beat, but it’s powerful. Grammy voters probably wanted something more commercial. Surely deserved a spot in the Hip Hop album category. 

Take a look here: https://youtu.be/xlQ9wFffY9E?si=XqYPRgFcqfV6fmLN

5. Lives Outgrown – Beth Gibbons

This album gives me a “long time no see” vibe. This was Beth’s first solo album since Portishead went quiet! Her voice still gives me chills – like some beautiful ghost haunting these tracks. The string arrangements are gorgeous but never overdone. Too artsy for pop categories, too pop for alternative ones. 

That track “Floating on a Weekend” should be everywhere. Grammy voters missed out big time. This beats half the Alternative nominees easily. She’s proving great artists never lose their touch. 

Check this one out too:

6. You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To – Knocked Loose

These Kentucky boys don’t mess around! Not a big fan of them, but, to me, this album hits harder than their old stuff. Their singer Bryan’s screams sound more intense than ever. The guitars and the drums are well-synced, heavier and faster. 

Don’t know about the Grammy folks but metal fans know – this album destroys! That song “Blinded” makes me want to run through walls. The production’s crisp but keeps that raw energy.

7. Access All Areas – FLO

These girls nailed it. Especially the harmony. Man this was like old school Destiny’s Child but with modern production. I just love how they’re bringing back that 90s R&B feel. 

Again, what was in Grammy’s back of mind? They probably wanted more trendy trap-soul stuff. Unfortunate.

8. Can We Please Have Fun – Kings of Leon

This isn’t Kings of Leon’s best, but still gives you that arena rock feel. You’ll feel their signature sound. That title track is especially pure anthem material. 

The vocals are strong, the drums punch hard. It’s less polished than their last few albums – and that’s great. Again, one of the best in 2024, but overlooked by Grammy.

9. Big Ideas – Rimy Wolf

I love how this album sounds. The album’s full of funky basslines and weird pop hooks. Her voice jumps from singing to rapping to these crazy vocal runs. That song “Pizza Roll” makes me smile every time. The production is colorful and fun, just like her personality.

I got it. Grammy didn’t find it as a traditional sounding pop and it doesn’t have as much acceptance as like Taylor Swift, or Arian Grande. But this is what creativity sounds like!

10. The New Sound – Geordie Greep

Geordie Greep’s “The New Sound” is the weirdest thing I’ve heard this year. The bass work was too good. They almost seem like they shouldn’t go together, but somehow, they totally do. 

Then there’s the production. It’s super clear. You can really hear all the unusual notes and choices that the musicians made. It feels like every sound was carefully thought out. If you’re a bassist and want to try some new things to recreate, go for this album.

FAQs about Grammy Snub Albums and the 67th Grammy Awards

Q: Why do good albums get overlooked by the Grammys?  

It’s not just about how good the music is. Timing can really mess things up, especially if an album comes out late. Plus, having a big label helps a lot. The Grammy voters listen to what gets promoted the most. That’s why some killer independent albums don’t get nominated.

Q: Do streaming numbers matter for Grammy nominations?  

Not really! Bad Bunny is a great example. He broke tons of streaming records but didn’t get many nominations. Grammy voters focus more on what they think is artistic. Sometimes that lines up with popular stuff, and sometimes it doesn’t.

Q: Has the Recording Academy made things fairer?  

They’re making some changes, which is nice. They got rid of secret nomination committees, which is a positive step. They’re also bringing in younger voters. But real change takes time. At least they’re adding new categories to represent more types of music.

Q: Why do artists who mix genres struggle?  

This is so frustrating! When artists mix different styles, the Grammys get confused. Like, where do you put an album that’s half rap and half rock? The categories are too strict. That’s why a lot of creative music just doesn’t get recognized.

Final Words

Some great albums might not have made it to the Grammy stage. But they’ve totally won in the ears and hearts of fans. These albums took risks. They told real stories. They changed how we hear new sounds, and nothing can put a score on that. 

Sure, winning awards is cool. Many famous artists didn’t win big awards in their time. Yet, their songs still mean the world to people today. Their music lives on and shapes our culture. 

At the end of the day, awards come and go, but real artistry lasts forever. And that’s what truly matters.