Here’s Where Genre-Bending Albums From Rosalía, Noah Kahan, Charli xcx & More Landed on 2027 Grammy Ballot

Music doesn't always neatly fit into boxes, but awards shows are built around categories. 10/21/2026 ROSALÍA Courtesy of Columbia Records Grammy voting members who are scrambling to render their choices by the close of first-round voting on Thursday (Oct. 22) may be searching for certain albums on the ballot. They may look for Paul McCartney’s well-received The Boys of Dungeon Place under best pop vocal album. No, not there. Maybe best rock album? No, not there either. Actually, the album is entered in best traditional pop vocal album. McCartney won in that category in 2013 with Kisses on the Bottom, a collection of traditional pop and jazz songs such as “It’s Only a Paper Moon” and “The Glory of Love.” He wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on the new album. Music doesn’t always neatly fit into boxes, but since awards are built around categories, the Recording Academy strives to determine the category where something fits best, even if sometimes imperfectly. That’s why it convenes a large screening committee each fall, which has the final say in close calls. Albums may be entered in only one genre album category, though tracks from the album may be entered in other categories. Here are eight borderline cases that appear on this year’s ballot. We tell you the category the album was entered in and share where the artist’s albums were nominated in the past. First-round Grammy voting, which determines the nominations in 95 of the 100 categories, closes on Thursday (Oct. 22) at 6 p.m. PT. The final nominations will be announced on Nov. 16. The awards will be presented on Feb. 7 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Tame Impala, Deadbeat Where It’s Competing: Best dance/electronic album His Grammy History: All three of Tame Impala’s genre album nominations to date were in the best alternative music album category, though his only wins to date are for best dance/electronic recording. Since he was shifted to this genre album category, he’s going head-to-head with Madonna for Confessions II. Rosalía, LUX Where It’s Competing: Best alternative music album Her Grammy History: Rosalía has won twice for best Latin rock or alternative album (for El Mal Querer in 2020 and MOTOMAMI in 2023), but this time she’s slotted in the overall best alternative music album category. Paul McCartney, The Boys of Dungeon Lane Where It’s Competing: Best traditional pop vocal album His Grammy History: McCartney has been nominated in four different genre album categories over the course of his solo career – best alternative music album (Liverpool Sound Collage, 2001), best pop vocal album (Chaos and Creation in the Backyard, 2006), best traditional pop vocal album (Kisses on the Bottom, 2013) and best rock album (McCartney III, 2022). His only win in these album races was for Kisses on the Bottom. Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds, Mutiny After Midnight Where It’s Entered: Best rock album Sturgill Simpson’s Grammy History: Like McCartney,Simpson has been nominated in four different genre album categories – best Americana album (Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, 2015), best country album (A Sailor’s Guide to Earth, 2017, and The Ballad of Dood & Juanita, 2022), best rock album (Sound & Fury, 2021) and best bluegrass album (Cuttin’ Grass – Vol. 1 (Butcher Shoppe Sessions, 2022). His only win to date was best country album for A Sailor’s Guide to Earth. Bruno Mars, The Romantic Where It’s Competing: Best pop vocal album His Grammy History: Mars has won for both best R&B album (24K Magic, 2018) and best pop vocal album (Unorthodox Jukebox, 2014). Doo-Wops and Hooligans was also nominated for best pop vocal album (2012). Mars and Anderson .Paak declined to enter An Evening With Silk Sonic in the Grammy process in 2023, probably not wanting to wear out their welcome following a four-Grammy sweep the previous year with “Leave the Door Open.” Mariah Carey, Here for It All Where It’s Competing: Best R&B album Her Grammy history: Like Mars, Carey is often right on the line between pop and R&B. Daydream was nominated for best pop album in 1996. The Emancipation of Mimi won best contemporary R&B album in 2006. Both albums were also nominated for album of the year. Charli xcx, Music, Fashion, Film Where It’s Competing: Best alternative music album Her Grammy history: Charli’s BRAT won best dance/electronic album in 2025. This year, she’s entered in a second album category with a different album. Wuthering Heights album is entered in best compilation soundtrack for visual media, where it is competing with such albums as Wicked: For Good and Hazbin Hotel: Season Two. Noah Kahan, The Great Divide Where It’s Competing: Best contemporary folk album His Grammy History: This will be Kahan’s first nomination in a genre album category. Hisonly previous Grammy nods are for best new artist in 2024 and best country duo/group performance for “Cowboys Cry Too” with Kelsea Ballerini. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox Sign Up