ALBUM OF THE YEAR

“Sound & Color,’’ Alabama Shakes

“To Pimp a Butterfly,’’ Kendrick Lamar

“Traveller,’’ Chris Stapleton

“1989,’’ Taylor Swift

“Beauty Behind the Madness,’’ the Weeknd

Should win: “To Pimp a Butterfly’’ — This is a crazy category, in that it really does represent some of the best albums of the eligibility period and each artist is a multiple nominee. Almost any one of these would be acceptable, which is why it would be great to see Lamar secure the third win in history for hip-hop in this category.

Will Win: “1989’’ — Get ready to see that familiar “What? Who? Me?’’ face as Swift ascends the stage. Her album was simply too dominant — five top 10 singles, 5.5 million copies sold — and mostly well-reviewed, not to mention spawning a monster world tour, for it not to be rewarded. Then again, that’s what many thought about Beyoncé last year. So all the other nominees — two of whom, Lamar and the Weeknd, have worked with Swift — might still want to polish up a speech.

RECORD OF THE YEAR

“Really Love,’’ D’Angelo and the Vanguard

“Uptown Funk,’’ Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars

“Thinking Out Loud,’’ Ed Sheeran

“Blank Space,’’ Taylor Swift

“Can’t Feel My Face,’’ the Weeknd

Should and will win: “Uptown Funk’’ — The Swift and Weeknd songs were co-written by uber-songwriter-producer Max Martin, but even with two shots, his chances seem pretty slim for this award that goes to the producer(s) and the artist. We think even Swift would say “Funk’’ was just too hot (hot damn) not to win.

SONG OF THE YEAR

“Alright,’’ Kendrick Duckworth, Mark Anthony Spears & Pharrell Williams (Kendrick Lamar)

“Blank Space,’’ Max Martin, Shellback & Taylor Swift (Taylor Swift)

“Girl Crush,’’ Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna & Liz Rose (Little Big Town)

“See You Again,’’ Andrew Cedar, Justin Franks, Charles Puth & Cameron Thomaz (Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth)

“Thinking Out Loud,’’ Ed Sheeran & Amy Wadge (Ed Sheeran)

Should win: “Girl Crush’’ — This award goes to the songwriters so we’re pulling for this country hit penned by Lindsey, Rose, and Stoughton native McKenna. It made a huge splash, got support from across the spectrum, and has already won several country music awards, so it might squeak out a win. . .

Will win: “Blank Space’’ — . . . but we’re betting that Martin, Shellback, and Swift’s frothy, clever, and winking ditty will carry the day in what feels like a two-song race, especially if “Uptown Funk’’ bests it in the record of the year category.

BEST NEW ARTIST

Courtney Barnett

James Bay

Sam Hunt

Tori Kelly

Meghan Trainor

Should win: Courtney Barnett — We’re cheered to see hard-working Nantucket native Trainor return to vie for this honor after recognition last year for “All About That Bass.’’ Bay impressed us in concert recently with his energy and enthusiasm. Kelly is a pop diva in the making. Aussie indie rocker Barnett is the odd duck of this group, which is what makes her the most interesting.

Will win: Sam Hunt. He was the biggest success story in country music in years, and the Grammys love success stories.

BEST ALTERNATIVE ALBUM

“Sound & Color,’’ Alabama Shakes

“Vulnicura,’’ Björk

“The Waterfall,’’ My Morning Jacket

“Currents,’’ Tame Impala

“Star Wars,’’ Wilco

Should win: “Vulnicura’’ — This is a tremendously rich category with a wide spectrum of sounds, from the beguilding psychedelia of Aussie rockers Tame Impala to the range of moods on Wilco’s surprise “Star Wars.’’ But Iceland’s most famous export had the best ratio of ambition to execution with her combination of cool electronics, warm strings, and raw reflection.

Will win: “Sound & Color’’ — In another year, this terrific record might be in the above paragraph, and Alabama Shakes taking home the gold — since it won’t likely win in the album of the year category — would be a great pat on the back for a group that continues to improve.

BEST R&B ALBUM

“Coming Home,’’ Leon Bridges

“Black Messiah,’’ D’Angelo and the Vanguard

“Cheers to the Fall,’’ Andra Day

“Reality Show,’’ Jazmine Sullivan

“Forever Charlie,’’ Charlie Wilson

Should and will win: “Black Messiah’’ — All good to great albums, only one true contender. Virginia singer-songwriter D’Angelo returned with a vengeance on this sprawling, smart, funky release, and both critics and fans were very happy to have him back.

BEST RAP ALBUM

“2014 Forest Hills Drive,’’ J. Cole

“Compton,’’ Dr. Dre

“If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late,’’ Drake

“To Pimp a Butterfly,’’ Kendrick Lamar

“The Pinkprint,’’ Nicki Minaj

Should and will win: “To Pimp a Butterfly’’ — Drake may have had more mainstream penetration thanks to “Hotline Bling,’’ and Dre has the “Straight Outta Compton’’ juice in his corner. But since Lamar is the night’s top nominee — and likely will lose in the big categories — this is where the consolation prizes begin for one of the most undeniably thoughtful releases of the year. Hopefully it will be one of several.

BEST COUNTRY ALBUM

“Montevallo,’’ Sam Hunt

“Pain Killer,’’ Little Big Town

“The Blade,’’ Ashley Monroe

“Pageant Material,’’ Kacey Musgraves

“Traveller,’’ Chris Stapleton

Should win: Chris Stapleton — This is one of the toughest races to call. For kindred spirits Monroe and Musgraves, the nominations are the prize. The question becomes, what did voters feel like rewarding: Hunt’s huge commercial-crossover success, the ascendance of well-liked veteran group Little Big Town on the strength of “Girl Crush,’’ or the continued coronation of musicians’s musician Stapleton? (If there’s a Stapleton spoiler, a win for Little Big Town wouldn’t be unwelcome or a surprise.)

Will win: Sam Hunt Whether or not it’s “country’’ according to purists, nobody threw a house party for the format this year like the hunky Hunt, and gratitude is powerful.