Every year around February or March, a group of very serious music people (and fans) gather to figure out which album deserves the biggest prize in the music world — Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards. In 2017, five talented artists were nominated for this honor, and each one brought something totally different to the table. Think of it like five chefs competing with their signature dishes — you don't have to pick a favorite, but it's fun to taste them all.
The nominees were Adele with 25, Beyoncé with Lemonade, Justin Bieber with Purpose, Drake with Views, and Sturgill Simpson with A Sailor's Guide to Earth. It was a lineup so wild that picking a favorite felt like choosing which cloud to sit on — all soft, all dreamy, all good.
Adele's "25" — The Heartbreak Anthem
If you've ever cried in your car over an ex you swore you were done with, 25 was practically written for you. Adele wrapped her powerhouse voice around songs like "Hello" and "When We Were Young", and they hit like a warm hug from your grandma who just reminded you of your childhood best friend. This album felt like flipping through a worn photo album — bittersweet but beautiful every single time.
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Beyoncé's "Lemonade" — A Full-Blown Experience
Then came the queen herself. Lemonade wasn't just an album — it was like taking an everything shower after a long, exhausting week, except with visual poetry and Southern rock thrown in. Songs like "Hold Up" and "Formation" became cultural moments people shared across dinner tables, classrooms, and group chats.
Justin Bieber's "Purpose" — Growing Up Out Loud
Remember when we all collectively watched Justin Bieber go from teen heartthrob to a guy who actually hums instead of a guy who gets in trouble? Purpose was his "I'm figuring it out" album, full of tracks like "Sorry" and "Love Yourself" that felt harmless enough to play at a coffee shop but catchy enough to have you humming all day.
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It's the kind of record you toss on while reorganizing closets or road-tripping with your bestie — no drama, just good vibes and a solid beat.
Drake's "Views" — The Soundtrack of Your Mood Swings
Drake gave us Views, which was basically his diary set to music and ambient weather sounds. From dance-floor bangers to quiet moments of reflection, this album reminded us that Drake is just as comfortable being your gym partner as he is being your 2 AM emotional support playlist.
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Sturgill Simpson's "A Sailor's Guide to Earth" — The Surprise Guest
And then there was Sturgill Simpson, the country-bluegrass outsider who arrived at the Grammy party holding a guitar like he'd been invited by accident. A Sailor's Guide to Earth felt like a letter from a wise, slightly gruff uncle — honest, warm, and full of love for the imperfect parts of life.
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It's proof that sometimes the unexpected nominee is the one that stays with you longest.
Ultimately, Lemonade walked away with the win, but the real joy was witnessing five wildly different albums share the same stage. The truth is, music doesn't care about categories — it just wants to meet you where you are. So whether you're feeling Adele's heartbreak or Sturgill's quiet wisdom, there's a nominee in that list who already knows exactly how you feel today.