Recommendations of the Editorial team
Lady Gaga is the artist to beat in the Album of the Year category at the 2026 Grammy Awards. With Mayhem she has presented a work that could outshine all others in this race. The versatile singer, songwriter and performer has been nominated for the most important album award several times, but has never won it. That could change in February.
Album of the Year – Our Predictions
The favorites:
- Kendrick Lamar, GNX
- Bad Bunny, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS PHOTOS
- Lady Gaga, Mayhem
- The Weeknd, Hurry Up Tomorrow
- Elton John and Brandi Carlile, Who Believes in Angels?
- Lainey Wilson, Whirlwind (Deluxe)
- Tyler, the Creator, CHROMAKOPIA
- Laufeny, A Matter of Time
Who will win?
Lady Gaga, “Mayhem.”
Gaga received three consecutive Album of the Year nominations between 2010 and 2012 – for “The Fame,” “The Fame Monster” and “Born This Way.” More than a decade later, she now has the necessary experience – and an outstanding album with “Mayhem”.
“Lady Gaga always feels like a strong contender in this category,” says John Stein, head of North America editorial at Spotify. “And your status as a household name plays into your hands here.” According to Stein, “Mayhem” could also benefit from the competition: “I think it could win because the votes are divided.”
Who should win?
Lady Gaga, Mayhem.”
On “Mayhem,” Gaga draws on her own story – many see the album as a return to her dance-pop roots. In “Abracadabra” she makes her own name the chorus, in “Disease” things get dark and danceable, and all of this brought her to a highlight of her career at her Coachella performance this summer. It’s their time.
Outlook on the competitive field
Even though Lady Gaga has momentum on her side, don’t underestimate The Weeknd – also a former Super Bowl headliner who was reconciled to the Grammy Gala this year. “Hurry Up Tomorrow” is considered the last album that Abel Tesfaye plans to release under the name The Weeknd and could be recognized as a symbolic conclusion. “You should also keep an eye on Bad Bunny’s album,” says Stein. “He has never won outside of the Latin categories – that is long overdue. The announcement of his Super Bowl halftime appearance further strengthens his chances.”
Other strong contenders
“Who Believes in Angels?”, the collaboration between Brandi Carlile and Elton John, brings together two esteemed artists for a moving album about mortality and a celebration of queer pop icons like Laura Nyro and Little Richard. Lainey Wilson’s “Whirlwind” was originally released at the end of last year’s Grammys, but a nomination for the deluxe version could honor both her country success and her emergence as a key cultural figure.
Both of Tyler, the Creator’s most recent albums are nominated, but Stein sees CHROMAKOPIA ahead: “It has a consistently strong message and a clear aesthetic concept.” Jazz-pop newcomer Laufeny, on the other hand, combines timeless sounds with the realities of Gen Z – and has gained a growing audience of admirers of her musical abilities. Kendrick Lamar is considered a possible surprise winner.
“After the past year and the momentum he has brought with him, he has released an album that works on all levels – culturally, critically and commercially,” says Stein. “He’s a name that everyone knows today – that speaks for his chances in the Album of the Year category.”