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How to Get Free CS2 Skins

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How to Get Free CS2 Skins

CS2 has completely reshaped the skin economy for players, making cosmetic items highly desirable yet often costly. For avid players, building a premium inventory without spending money is a common challenge. Fortunately, there are reliable ways to acquire skins for free. This guide covers everything from daily bonuses to trade-up contracts and community events, giving players a comprehensive roadmap to expand their CS2 collection safely.

Whether you are a competitive player or enjoy casual matches, understanding the mechanics behind drops and rewards is essential for optimizing your free skin gains.

1. Daily Bonuses and Free Case Platforms

One of the most consistent ways to get CS2 skins without paying is through daily reward platforms. Sites like BloodyCase provide daily bonuses that can include balance credits, cases, or directly usable skins.

The process is straightforward:

  1. Sign in with your Steam account.
  2. Claim the daily free reward.
  3. Open the case or use credits to receive your skin.

Daily reward platforms often include randomized items, which encourages regular visits. With persistence, even low-tier skins can accumulate, later becoming components for trade-ups. Players report that logging in every day for a month can yield multiple mid-tier skins suitable for upgrading.

Key tip: Avoid platforms that ask for excessive permissions or disable Steam security features. Trusted sites never request Steam passwords or recovery codes.

2. In-Game Drops: Maximizing Playtime Rewards

CS2 continues Valve’s tradition of awarding players with item drops. After matches, there’s a chance to receive skins, cases, or graffiti. Drops are affected by:

  • Match type: Competitive and Premier matches yield better drops.
  • Playtime: Weekly caps exist, so active players maximize rewards.
  • Account status: Public profiles with a decent Steam level are more likely to receive drops.

Strategies to Increase Drops:

  • Play multiple matches in drop weeks.
  • Focus on modes with higher drop frequency.
  • Keep the account level and profile status in mind.

Players aiming to farm skins should maintain a consistent schedule. Even lower-tier items contribute to trade-ups and gradually improve your inventory.

3. Trade-Up Contracts: Turning Common Skins Into Rares

The trade-up system allows players to combine ten skins of the same rarity to receive a higher-tier skin. While there’s an element of randomness, it’s a reliable long-term method.

Rarity Items Needed Potential Output
Consumer 10 Industrial
Industrial 10 Mil-Spec
Mil-Spec 10 Restricted
Restricted 10 Classified
Classified 10 Covert

Practical approach:

  • Collect duplicate drops and low-value skins.
  • Use them for trade-ups to aim for Restricted or Classified skins.
  • Keep track of trade-up probabilities; community tools can calculate expected outcomes.

This method encourages a strategic approach: even free daily rewards can be transformed into high-value items with patience and planning.

4. Community Events and Giveaways

CS2’s player community frequently hosts events offering skins. These include:

  • Discord giveaways by content creators.
  • Tournament participation rewards.
  • Seasonal promotions from community hubs.

Tips for safe participation:

  • Verify the legitimacy of Discord servers or social media pages.
  • Prefer official tournament events over third-party claims.
  • Avoid sharing private Steam information.

Community events often reward unique or limited skins that are otherwise unavailable, making them highly valuable. Tracking them is a key strategy for building an impressive inventory without spending money.

5. Steam Features and Market Awareness

Although Steam Points cannot be directly used to buy skins, they influence trading opportunities. Profiles with higher levels attract better trade offers, and being active in the market can help you identify free or low-cost skins suitable for trade-ups.

  • Monitor Steam Market for temporary giveaways or sales.
  • Trade low-tier skins with other players to acquire desired items.
  • Participate in community discussions to learn about hidden opportunities.

Combining these approaches can lead to a sustainable, growing collection.

6. Best Practices for Safe Free Skin Acquisition

Security is essential. Many platforms advertise free CS2 skins but aim to compromise accounts. Follow these principles:

  • Only use HTTPS and verified URLs.
  • Never share your Steam password or disable Steam Guard.
  • Read community reviews before interacting with new platforms.

Remaining cautious ensures your inventory and account remain secure while still benefiting from legitimate free sources.

7. Combining Strategies for Maximum Benefit

The most effective approach to building a free CS2 inventory is combining multiple methods:

  • Claim daily bonuses on trusted sites like BloodyCase.
  • Engage in regular competitive matches to collect drops.
  • Apply trade-ups systematically.
  • Participate in verified community giveaways.

Consistency is key: small rewards accumulate, and low-tier items eventually become high-value skins. With patience and careful strategy, any player can significantly grow their collection for free.

Can You Really Get CS2 Skins for Free?

Getting CS2 skins for free is absolutely possible with the right balance of patience and consistency. Daily cases, game drops, and community activities form a realistic path toward a rich inventory without spending a cent.

Start small—log in daily on trusted sites like BloodyCase and keep playing matches regularly. Over time, your inventory will grow naturally, and some skins might even become highly valuable collectibles.

With a careful approach, persistence, and a bit of luck, you can build an impressive CS2 collection — completely for free.

What Serum Is Best For Microneedling?

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What Serum Is Best For Microneedling?

During a microneedling session, your skin becomes especially receptive to skincare ingredients. This means the serum you choose matters just as much as the device itself. Selecting the right serum can support healing, enhance results, and minimize downtime. The key is to opt for formulas that deliver hydration, support barrier recovery, and avoid harsh actives that may irritate.

Why the Right Serum Matters

Microneedling creates tiny, controlled micro-channels in the skin, which do two things: it stimulates the skin’s natural repair processes (such as collagen production), and it opens the door for topically applied ingredients to penetrate more deeply than usual. 

Because of this increased absorption, the serum you apply should be gentle, supportive of healing, and free of strong irritants. For instance, using microneedling serums from Meamo Shop can help achieve the perfect balance between hydration and repair. 

These Korean skincare formulations are developed to calm the skin, replenish moisture, and support healing without irritation. Using gentle yet effective serums like these helps maximize the results of microneedling, encouraging smoother, more radiant, and healthier-looking skin.

What Serums You Should Consider for Microneedling

Here are several serum types commonly recommended for use in conjunction with microneedling, along with their benefits and considerations.

Hyaluronic Acid Serums

  • Benefits: As a powerful humectant, hyaluronic acid attracts and retains moisture within the skin, promoting post-treatment hydration, elasticity, and comfort.
  • Considerations: Choose a fragrance-free, alcohol-free formula. Because the skin is more absorbent after microneedling, you want to minimize the risk of irritation.
  • Best for: Almost all skin types after microneedling, particularly for calming the “thirsty” feeling post-treatment.

Peptide & Growth Factor Serums

  • Benefits: Peptides and growth factors signal the skin to rebuild and generate collagen and elastin. A key benefit of microneedling is that the channels allow these actives to reach deeper layers. 
  • Considerations: These formulas can be more expensive and may require professional-grade sourcing or supervision. Always ensure the formula is suitable for post-procedure skin with open micro-channels.
  • Best for: Skin concerned with fine lines and texture irregularities, or for long-term regeneration rather than immediate soothing.

Niacinamide & Barrier-Supporting Serums

  • Benefits: Niacinamide (vitamin B3) supports skin barrier recovery, helps reduce redness, and supports even tone. After microneedling, your barrier is temporarily compromised, and this makes sense.
  • Considerations: While gentler than some actives, ensure the formula remains simple and free of irritating extras, such as strong fragrance or high-strength acids.
  • Best for: Sensitive skin, post-treatment redness, or skin prone to breakouts that needs barrier support.

How to Choose the Best Serum for You

  • Assess your skin concern: If your primary goal is hydration and calming, a hyaluronic acid serum is a strong choice. If your focus is texture or fine lines, consider peptides or growth factors.
  • Check formula purity: Fragrance-free, minimal additives, no irritating acids or exfoliants.
  • Confirm compatibility with treatment: If you’ve done more aggressive microneedling (longer needles), your skin may need gentler serums for a few days before introducing the stronger actives.
  • Follow timing guidance: Immediately after the procedure, your skin needs soothing and hydration. More active serums (such as those targeting pigmentation or deep wrinkles) may require 48–72 hours or as instructed by your practitioner.

The End Note

Choosing the right serum for microneedling isn’t about finding the most exotic or trendy formula — it’s about matching your skin’s post-treatment state with ingredients that genuinely support healing, barrier recovery, and collagen-building. 

Hydration (via hyaluronic acid), signalling (via peptides/growth factors), and barrier support (via niacinamide or ceramides) are the key pillars. Avoiding harsh actives too early, and giving your skin the right ingredients at the right time, will help you optimise the benefits of the microneedling procedure. 

Always consult with your skincare provider or practitioner to tailor the serum choice to your unique skin type and treatment intensity.

Battlefield 6 Redsec: Best Sniper Rifles in Battle Royale Mode to Dominate the Long-Range Meta

Shubhendu Vatsa
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Battlefield 6 Redsec: Best Sniper Rifles in Battle Royale Mode to Dominate the Long-Range Meta

If you’re the sniping type, our list for the best sniper rifles in Battlefield 6: RedSec may feel surprisingly short, especially since the game currently only gives you four sniper rifles to work with. However, there’s still plenty of sniper action to be had, as RedSec’s Fort Lyndon map contains plenty of rooftops and wide-open areas for long-range action, as well as some of the game’s best vantage points. So if you prefer landing headshots, controlling sightlines, and making map rotations all the more challenging, these are the best sniper rifles in Battlefield 6: RedSec.

Best Sniper Rifles in Battlefield 6 RedSec

  1. M2010 ESR

The M2010 ESR is a fresh take on the classic M24 and easily takes the crown as the best sniper rifle in Battlefield 6: Redsec right now, thanks to its 300 m/s ADS speed, astounding bullet velocity, and incredible range. It comes unlocked by default in RedSec, which only adds to its appeal, and can take down enemies with a single bullet if you manage to land clean headshots. The M2010 ESR additionally has a damage multiplier of 1.75x for headshots and 1.0x for chest and leg shots. However, its only real drawback is the small magazine size, which only holds five bullets before needing to be reloaded.

  1. SV-98

If the M2010 ESR isn’t quite cutting it and you need something with a bigger magazine and better overall control than that M2010 ESR, then look no further than the SV-98 sniper rifle in RedSec. It has the tightest hip-fire spread of any sniper rifle and also benefits from the fastest bullet drop and a larger magazine size of 10 rounds per reload. Despite having a shorter range than the M2010 ESR, the SV-98 can still land rounds from up to 90 meters away and is steady and responsive in close-to mid-range combat. That said, you will need steady aim and precise timing to fully exploit its one-shot capability and sadly, enough, the SV-98’s RPM, velocity, maximum range, and reload speed are all very subpar, so don’t expect too much from it.

The other two sniper rifles in Battlefield 6: RedSec aren’t what we would call the “best in the business”, but they definitely aren’t to be slept on either. First up is the Barrett MRAD, aka the PSR, which takes its inspiration from the M98B but adds quality of life upgrades such as a folding stock and the ability to swap barrels and chambers in the field. 

With its 150-meter effective range, 937 m/s bullet velocity, and heavy stopping power, the PSR is designed to dominate long-distance fights and can be unlocked after completing the Deadeye 2 challenge in Battlefield 6 multiplayer. The sniper rifle also packs double the magazine capacity of the M2010 ESR and somewhat higher ADS speeds, but the same damage multipliers as those on the M2010 ESR.

As for the other, the recent Battlefield 6 Season 1 update introduced the Mini Scout sniper rifle to the mix, which is based on the actual Q Mini Fix and can be unlocked at Tier 21 via the Soldiers of Fortune Battle Pass. Great for more aggressive, close-range sniping, this bolt-action rifle sits somewhere between a traditional sniper and a DMR; however, its lower damage and shorter range make it less powerful and not so great for “traditional” long-range sniping when compared to other heavier rifles.

After you’ve managed to get your hands on the best snipers in Battlefield 6: RedSec, you can go on to unlock powerful attachments via the Battlefield 6 Season 1 battle pass, along with skins, XP and other rewards.

5 Blog Ideas for Family and Lifestyle Writers

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5 Blog Ideas for Family and Lifestyle Writers

For people who enjoy family and lifestyle blogging, the internet is their best place to share with others. Readers reach these places looking for trusted advice, inspiration, or at least sharing personal experiences in order to give these experiences something of the value of authenticity and genuineness. Whether you are a highly developed creator who has been around for some time or simply learning, fresh inspiration is what gives your content calendar life. It makes it easier for audiences to pay attention. The following are five broad blog post ideas that family and lifestyle writers could execute with simplicity while still conveying some value.

1.   Eco-Friendly Swaps on a Budget

Eco-products are one of the buzzwords today, but where the family has concerns is in the area of these supplies being costly. A practical guide can showcase some cheaper swaps for families with toddlers. Reusable cloth napkins, bamboo toothbrushes, or energy-efficient light bulbs would be examples. But it’s the low-cost, saving over the years swap that might move families.

For further action with your post, add some links to local community bulk buying programs, discount eco-stores, and/or DIY instructions. A real comparison of prices would give readers a sense of empowerment that, indeed, sustainability is doable and not impossible.

2.   Decoding Baby Product Labels

Parents are probably harried with making choices for their little ones, such as on baby nutrition and products related to skincare. A blog post dedicated to the nitty-gritty of interpreting baby product labels, from baby formula to wipes and creams, comes in very handy. Some of these may include the definitions of certain regular ingredients, those that should be avoided, and how alternative products can be weighed against one another.

For example, when dealing with formula choices for infants, mention those brands that apparently mention the transparency of their ingredients. Parents choose Kendamil Goat stage 1 for infant feeding, as it encourages ingredient transparency by stating “no soy, no maltodextrin, and no palm oil”. This educates but also empowers consumers to make informed decisions.

3.   A Day-in-the-Life Routine

They say such write-ups never grow old, as this is real life, into which the readers can peer into the daily lives of real families. Such events could be picking children up from school, preparing meals, working from home, or winding down at night. This kind of story can motivate the parents to inspire simplification in their lives.

However, create more exciting content by using pictures, short video-form clips, or printable checklists to show your routine. For instance, a morning rush survival guide could share speedy breakfast ideas and time-saving prep hacks. These real-life insights deepen your bond with your audience, as they showcase the human aspect of family living.

4.   Expert Q&A on Family Topics

To bring in an air of freshness and credibility to your blog, have an expert voice in it. This could be a pediatrician on childhood nutrition, a family therapist on sibling rivalry, or an interior designer on exquisite yet functional playrooms. The direct insights from professionals offered to the readers primarily appeal, especially in a conversational blog arrangement.

Arrange the article with “Top 5 Questions Answered” so that they may fish their own questions without being followed. This style of Q&As can also create snippets for social media, therefore extending the reach of your blog entries.

5.   Community Resource Round-Ups

Many families will rely on local resources and even some online sources without knowing how to locate them. Centering your blog on gathering relevant resources from free parenting workshops to family-travel groups to childcare co-ops will be an incredible value enhancer to read. New parents wanting reliable forums and budget apps would find these lists to be useful.

Include seasonal titles too, such as “Best Summer Camps in [Your City]” or “Winter Indoor Activities for Families.” Being evergreen reference manuals, such posts would keep pushing search traffic as families looked for fresh suggestions.

Endnote

Authenticity and practicality are what family and lifestyle blogging thrives on. Writing about topics that have to do with understanding baby product labels, eco-friendly exchanges, real-life routines, expert tips, and community resource round-ups keeps you generating helpful and relatable posts. This top blog idea list earns readers’ trust as well as creates space within which to morph them into videos, social media snippets, or printable guides. Your creative ideas and that content calendar will always be brimming, and the audience will keep flocking back for more.

The Witcher Season 5: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

Alexandra Pleșa
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The Witcher Season 5: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

Despite suffering a drop in viewership following Henry Cavill’s departure, The Witcher is still going strong as one of Netflix’s sought-after titles. With the release of season 4, it’s currently the second most-watched English series on the platform, scoring 7.4 million views this week.

While the fantasy didn’t dethrone hit Nobody Wants This, it’s also the #1 show in seven countries where Netflix is available. That would mean it’s definitely coming back for more, right? Thankfully, we have wonderful news.

The Witcher Season 5 Release Date

Netflix renewed the show for a fifth season a while back, so fans are definitely getting more episodes. The only bummer is that The Witcher season 5 will also be the show’s last. In other words, you might want to mentally prepare your goodbyes to Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer.

In fact, it might be even sooner than you expect. The fourth and fifth seasons were filmed back-to-back, and production on the final installment has already wrapped. “There’s a really good payoff to the series,” Liam Hemsworth, who currently plays Geralt, told IGN. “And it feels complete.”

Given this update, we estimate the fifth season of The Witcher to arrive sometime during fall 2026.

The Witcher Cast

  • Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia (seasons 4-5)
  • Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia (seasons 1-3)
  • Anya Chalotra as Yennefer of Vengerberg
  • Freya Allan as Ciri
  • Joey Batey as Jaskier
  • Eamon Farren as Cahir Mawr Dyffryn aep Ceallach
  • MyAnna Buring as Tissaia de Vries
  • Mimî M. Khayisa as Fringilla Vigo

What Could Happen in The Witcher Season 5?

The Witcher follows Geralt of Rivia, a monster-hunter for hire, as he navigates a morally grey Continent where humans often prove more dangerous than beasts. He crosses paths with the sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg and the young royal Ciri of Cintra, each bound by prophecy and destiny.

As war looms, the trio tries to protect each other and find their place in a fractured world.

In season 4, Geralt once again sets off a journey to find Ciri. He travels with new allies and, together, they battle monsters and Nilfgaardian forces. At the same time, Yennefer takes on a new role among the mages, while Ciri falls in with the gang known as the Rats.

Season 4 ends on several cliffhangers. Ciri is in crisis, and the trio is still separated ahead of the final batch of episodes. We can’t wait for them to reunite in The Witcher season 5, as their perilous journey will likely come to an explosive end.

Are There Other Shows Like The Witcher?

The Witcher is based on a book series by Andrzej Sapkowski, which also inspired a popular series of video games. If you’re looking for more Witcher, you can always check out the source material to get your fix.

Alternatively, similar series available on Netflix include Shadow and Bone, Nero the Assassin, Castlevania: Nocturne, The Sandman, and The Last Kingdom.

Selling Sunset Season 10: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

Alexandra Pleșa
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Selling Sunset Season 10: Cast, Rumours & Release Date

One of Netflix’s biggest reality hits is back. Season 9 of Selling Sunset amassed 4.2 million views this week, which puts the show at number 3 in the platform’s global English charts. It’s also currently a top 10 show in 43 countries, proving that glossy drama will probably never go out of style.

With an appealing cast and enough intrigue to keep viewers coming back, Selling Sunset shows no signs of slowing down. Does that mean we should expect more seasons? Here’s what we know so far.

Selling Sunset Season 10 Release Date

At the time of writing, Netflix hasn’t renewed the reality series for more episodes.

However, the service often waits a bit before giving an update either way, and viewership numbers for the new season are solid. It might all come down to whether the cast wants to continue. So far, Chrishell Stause has already announced her exit from the series, following the end of season 9.

“I’ve gotten to a place where I don’t need the show financially,” Stause said. “I’m lucky to have other forms of employment because it’s no longer good for my mental health.”

As long as the reality series returns, Selling Sunset season 10 will likely drop sometime during the summer or fall of 2026.

Selling Sunset Cast

  • Brett Oppenheim
  • Jason Oppenheim
  • Mary Bonnet
  • Amanza Smith
  • Emma Hernan
  • Bre Tiesi
  • Sandra Vergara

What Is Selling Sunset About?

Selling Sunset is part real-estate show, part reality-TV soap opera. It follows the elite real-estate brokerage firm The Oppenheim Group, based in Los Angeles.

In short, viewers can keep up with high-performing agents who handle luxury property listings, celebrity clients, and multi-million-dollar deals. At the same time, you see them navigate personal relationships and (copious amounts of) drama.

What makes Selling Sunset particularly appealing is the mix of real estate porn, high business stakes, and interpersonal conflict. Still, the agents are what keep things interesting, even nine seasons in. Tensions in the office and unexpected developments in their personal lives are the show’s bread and butter.

Season 9, for instance, included plenty of juicy tidbits for fans to chew on. As long as the series continues in this fashion, we’re sure a potential Selling Sunset season 10 will draw in new and returning viewers alike.

Are There Other Shows Like Selling Sunset?

If you’re into Selling Sunset, we recommend checking out other reality series available on Netflix. The list includes spin-offs Selling the OC and Selling the City, but also shows like Love Is Blind, Better Late Than Single, or Perfect Match.

Westerman on 7 Things That Inspired His New Album ‘A Jackal’s Wedding’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Westerman on 7 Things That Inspired His New Album ‘A Jackal’s Wedding’

A ferry ride away from the Greek capital of Athens is the island of Hydra, where no wheels are allowed. When Leonard Cohen arrived there in 1960, he discovered an already established international community of artists and writers; Henry Miller once praised it for its “purity, this wild and naked perfection.” It’s no surprise these qualities ripple through Westerman’s magnificent new album, A Jackal’s Wedding, which was recorded at Hydra’s Old Carpet Factory, a 17th-century mansion repurposed as an arts studio. Like many of those artists, the London-born, now Milan-based singer-songwriter was hungry for escape when he moved to Athens, finding ways to distance himself from the bustling noise of the city center, as referenced on his previous album, An Inbuilt Fault. There was one thing he and producer Marta Salogni could not escape during their five-week residency in Hydra: the searing heat, which forced them to work through the night. There’s a dazed, liminal spontaneity to the record that offsets its conversational tendencies, much like its unadorned moments are balanced out by the sweltering light of ‘Adriatic’ or ‘Weak Hands’. In the dark, sleepless hours between recording and not, you can imagine the artist gazing up at the sky: “Home found/ Then forgotten/The gamble,” he sings on ‘About Leaving’, “Awake, and looking starward.”

We caught up with Westerman to talk about the Athens heat, Robby Müller’s cinematography, the piano, and other inspirations behind his new album A Jackal’s Wedding.

The heat

There is an essay by Andreas Embirikos called ‘In the Philhellenes Street’, in which he talks about the heat in Athens in the middle of July. He writes, “This searing heat is necessary to produce such light.”

I think the record wouldn’t sound like it sounds if it weren’t for those climatic conditions, because we made the record in July at the studio. Well, July and August are equally intensely hot, as you know. And because of the heat, we ended up making the record at night. We did almost all of the recording between about 11pm and 5am. For two reasons: one, the room that we were tracking in, we had to keep the windows closed to insulate the sound, and because of the cicadas. And the room itself was about 46 degrees if we were recording during the day, which was dangerously hot to be doing anything. So we made the record at night, and I think there’s a haze to some of the recordings, which comes from the necessity of making it in the middle of the night.

In that period in Greece, the air is almost thick with how hot it is. There’s a heaviness to it, just because of the sheer intensity of the heat, and I think that has bled into the recordings, which was something I was hoping to do anyway, because it’s authentic to what I was trying to capture, both in the writing and when we ended up recording it. As a starting point for what animated this set of recordings, the heat is pretty much at the center of a lot of that.

I’m sure you also did a lot of the writing during the day, which I can hear in a song like ‘Mosquito’.

Not all of the writing was done in Greece, but there are certain pieces of music, like ‘Mosquito’ or ‘Nevermind’, which were written around the time when we were recording or just before, earlier in the summer. Again, your mind works in a different way when it’s that hot, and there’s almost a sort of lethargy, a film over the way that you are processing things.

The light 

You’ve mentioned wanting to almost emulate the way light works in Athens on this album, both in individual songs and the overall structure of the record. I wonder if there was a moment or a period of time when that inspiration became tangible to you as something you would like to mimic.

I think quite early on, from when I moved to Athens in September 2021 and I was finishing up An Inbuilt Fault, I still had a couple of songs which were not finished when I moved there. I was going around and walking, but I wasn’t really thinking about where I was in terms of that record, because I already had a clear set of touch points. I didn’t really know many people when I moved to Athens, but I really like to just walk around on my own, and quite early on started walking up Filopappou, Strefi, just to get above the urbanity of the environment. It’s really hard to describe, but the light is different in Greece. It’s certainly very different from where I am now, for example, where the light is more similar to where I come from. The UK and Ireland have kind of a similar light, which can be beautiful in its own way if the clouds lift. But I think there’s a kind of oversaturation to the light as it’s changing in Greece, as if you’ve pushed the saturation up to the limit on a kind of camera lens. The colours almost look unreal in terms of how vivid they are.

I think the heat has a lot to do with that, so the two things do interlock. But then the weather is also extremely intense. When it rains in Athens, it really rains. It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, there are rivers going down the streets. I wanted to play around, aesthetically, with heaviness and lightness at the same time. The final track on the record, ‘You Are Indelibly Where I Sleep’ – it’s not that it’s foreboding, there’s heaviness to the atmosphere, and the impression that the light gives. I wanted to balance that with moments of light relief, like ‘Spring’ is supposed to be this piece of levity. I just wanted the record to feel aesthetically, and for the felt experience to mimic the feeling that I had in the place that I was living, where the songs were born from.

That’s how I got the title for the record as well. It was a friend of mine who put me onto this idea of a jackal’s wedding, this diametrically opposed idea of brilliant sunshine in the middle of a storm. In folklore, people all over the world have come up with different idioms to explain these two things that shouldn’t be able to coexist together. The record would not have happened, I don’t think, if I wasn’t captivated by the way the light works. I would have done something very different.

Filopappou Hill

What kind of memories do you associate with that place? Did you make a habit of going there?

Yeah, I used to go whenever I could. I can’t really run anymore because I tore my knee up in Epirus a few years ago, but I used to go running up there. I just started walking up there, and I like walking down the old street that used to go down to Piraeus. I started very early going up there and tried to make a habit of it, particularly at that time of day, because it’s sort of peaceful as well. I love Athens, but it’s a pretty urban place and can get kind of dirty and loud, and you can get away from all of that. There are some stones there where you can go and watch the sun go down over the mountains behind Piraeus; there are always people doing that, not a huge amount of people, but that’s nice to do. If you go and walk down into Petralona, you can forget that you’re in the city at all. As a ritual, I always was drawn to going there.

I find walking very helpful for uncluttering my mind and trying to organize thoughts, particularly with songwriting. It’s something that I like to do, particularly in a place where you can kind of cheat your senses  to you feel like you’re in a completely different place. When I think of Athens, that’s probably the first thing that I think about. Sometimes I would go with friends, but I would also go a lot on my own, and it has a place very close to my heart.

Brian Eno and John Cale’s Wrong Way Up

As we’ve been speaking about before, I wanted to balance this heaviness and darkness at certain points with these brilliant elements. There’s a song called ‘Spinning Away’ on that record, which became a big reference point for the song ‘PSFN’, and ‘Adriatic’ to an extent as well. Trying to find something which feels almost slightly artificial to an extent, but has a breathing core to it, is always a very difficult thing to do. Necessarily, because you’re blending something, you’re taking the organic away. But I think that record is very much synthetic in the way that the sound is treated, but the way that John Cale writes melody and lyric is so deeply rooted in being an organic being. It wasn’t for every song, but I was trying to get that almost hyper-brilliant aesthetic to cut through these heavier and darker things, but keeping the core being ultimately a human voice. That became, not a template, but certainly something to refer back to when trying to actualise that on a couple of songs.

What were those songs like in execution? Did you find the process more challenging than the more unadorned songs?

There are different kinds of difficulty. The technical elements of construction are more difficult, but the less adorned pieces of music are more difficult because you have to be really present to be able to deliver them properly, in a way which is affecting and actually has a grain of truth to it. I don’t think that’s something that you can do necessarily every day. To do justice to the things in their barest form is difficult in a different way, but certainly the technical elements – well, that’s why I have Marta. I would have no idea how to balance all of those elements on my own. Marta is a genius.

There’s a song by Mike Oldfield called ‘In High Places’, which is one of my favorite songs ever. I think even if they had kind of rudimentary electronic instruments and drum machines in that period of time, late ‘70s, early ‘80s, they weren’t working to a grid. They didn’t have a computer screen and a grid, so even if the sounds are synthetic, there’s still a played element. There’s a huge amount of imperfection because nothing’s been quantized. I think that’s a good way of retaining that thing. Increasingly at the moment, I’m more interested in hearing the things which are not correct, and that only kind of gets stronger the more technically perfect things continue to sound with the use of computers and AI. That’s where the meat and drink is gonna be going forward, that line to something that’s actually tangibly understandable and relatable.

Robby Müller’s cinematography

In our previous interview, you talked about film as a more existential inspiration, mentioning The Seventh Seal and Ikiru, so it’s interesting to hear you  bring it up from a more visual standpoint. 

I watched this documentary about Robby Müller [Robby Müller: Living the Light]. There’s this scene, and I can’t remember what the film is, but he’s filming – it’s in a high-rise building, it may be in New York City or some city center, and he’s high up. The shot is supposed to be looking down at the street, but a bird crosses the camera, so he instinctively started following the bird instead, which was not at all part of the script. But it’s beautiful, and I think it might even be Wim Wenders saying that was not supposed to be in the film, but in the end, it became one of the most enduring images. To be alive to what’s actually happening, even within the context of what you’re supposed to be doing. You have to have a framework within which to be creative, but to allow for things to develop in ways which you hadn’t planned, that’s where the music is, in a way. You can conceptualize things all you like, but you don’t really know until you get there, being present and alive to the things which are happening in real time.

‘Nature of a Language’ was not a song that was supposed to be on the record. I wrote that in the middle of the night, and then we just recorded it, and it became one of our favorite pieces. ‘Spring’ I originally wrote on the guitar, and there was an amazing piano there, and I transposed it one morning and recorded it on the same day. Allowing for these things to happen – it’s to do with a certain confidence and finding the joy in the act of creation again. This scene from that documentary really resonated with me, in terms of the idea of how you will really give yourself to an artistic undertaking, and keep it something that’s breathing and alive without stifling it.

I watched that documentary in the first place, I must say, because Robby Müller is just an unbelievable cinematographer. The cinematography in the desert in Paris, Texas, at the beginning of the film where the light is ridiculous – a lot of the time in his films, if you just stop the film, it would look like a kind of a painting. It’s so beautifully shot. I remember Jim Jarmusch said that his favourite part of that film is basically when it’s supposed to be a shot of a train going past, but you’ve basically taken the camera and put it down to be able to just see the grass in front of the train. You’re basically telling the story, but in a completely unique and different way. Not that I would say that’s what I’ve done with all of this record, but I think the spirit of that is something that was very important for how we ended up making this, being non-rigid with how things were supposed to go.

Nick Cave’s The Boatman’s Call

I think that’s my favorite era of Nick Cave, because he hadn’t become Jesus yet, but he wasn’t a sort of demonic person either. He was somewhere in the middle. There’s a strength to allowing the songs to be at the forefront. I think ultimately, however I end up dressing up some of the music, I’m principally a songwriter. That’s how I classify myself. With this record, I enjoy messing around and having fun with how to put things together; I don’t think it necessarily displays a lack of confidence in the song. But what I wanted to do on this record is to present some of the songs in a more distilled and less fucked-around-with way, of how I actually start writing them in the first place. That’s not something I’ve done for years. I started off doing that, and then I stopped, because it was exciting to me to learn how to dress things up. But what I wanted to do with this record, and going into where I’m at at the moment, is to present the songs in their barest form.

There’s a certain strength even in the vulnerability of allowing that to be the way that people interact with them. It’s not an honesty thing, but it’s certainly more exposed, and there’s less adornment for people to critique. All there is really to connect with or not connect with, is the thing. I think that record by Nick Cave – it’s not necessarily that spiritually this record is similar to that record, but in terms of just the lack of adornment, of just allowing a person and a piano to say  what they’re saying – there are plenty of other records that do that, but that record is unique in the oeuvre of this artist who has an enormous body of work in that regard. There are other songs that do it at certain points, but that record in particular it almost feels like it’s only that.

The piano

I saw the piano that’s in The Old Carpet Factory in Hydra, where you tracked the album. I suppose that’s where ‘Spring’ took shape.

I’m no piano player, but in a way, I think I wrote a lot of this record on the piano almost because I can’t play it. I can’t get stuck in the same traps of my muscle memory doing things that it already knows how to do. I transposed ‘Spring’; it’s a radically different feeling to how I wrote it on the guitar. And I did it on that piano, yeah. I wasn’t really thinking about it, which is normally the best way. We’d already started tracking this guitar version, but it was sort of heavy. There’s a purity and a freshness to the piano, which I felt was pretty important for the balance of this record. And the song sings better, to be honest. Sometimes ideas come up in the wrong way, and they find their way eventually, completely outside of your tinkering with them.

That was one morning – I basically didn’t sleep when we were making this record. I was staying in quite a small room, and it was boiling hot. I had the window open, there was no air conditioner, and we finished recording at about 5:00. And then at 8 o’clock every morning, the guy who takes all the stuff out of the bins would come from under this window – all of the bins for the top half of Hydra were under this window. So I would get woken up at 8 o’clock every morning, I’d go to bed at 5:00, and I would normally go and just sit at the piano until people woke up. Somewhere in there, I made ‘Spring’, but I can’t really remember.

That weariness is a unique headspace to be creative in.

It is a very particular headspace, being chronically tired. I don’t think it’s necessarily a good place to live in for very long. I did almost die at the end of the recording process. No, really, I’m not joking. I went into anaphylactic shock. So I don’t think it’s necessarily a good space to be living in for that long, but I think when you’re extremely tired, you’re free from anxiety to an extent, because you just don’t have the capacity to function properly. You’re sort of separated and almost cloistered from a lot of the concerns of somebody who’s not deliriously tired, because your brain just doesn’t have the capacity to be worrying in the same way. It kind of puts you into a strangely unique and often creatively fertile headspace. It’s not something that I would recommend people.

Having made this record, are you curious about ways to access that creative freedom and fertility without that sense of exhaustion?

I think the phone is the worst thing ever for this, basically. The adult pacifier is the worst thing ever, because it doesn’t allow for the mind to unwind. It’s constantly feeding very low-level dopamine satisfaction, but it keeps the mind locked in a certain way. To be honest, I think the best way of getting to the place where you can allow for ideas to breathe is if you can discipline yourself.to just not looking at any screens for some hours. And the easiest time to do that, I think, is probably in the morning. When I’m in a good rhythm and I’m not as busy as I am at the moment, what I like to do is to wake up quite early – my wife doesn’t wake up particularly early, unless she has to – and either start playing guitar or write – I do a Substack –  before I’ve looked at anything.

The mind is sort of reborn after that period of sleep. I think you could also manufacture it at any point of the day, but it becomes more and more difficult as the demands of the day keep  stacking up on you. But that morning time is really good. Evening is also good – basically times where people leave you alone. That’s how to get to that place: uninterrupted times of aloneness, where your mind is able to unravel and untangle itself in ways that might be of interest.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.

Westerman’s A Jackal’s Wedding is out now via Partisan Records.

Grammy Nominations 2026: See the Full List

Konstantinos Pappis
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Grammy Nominations 2026: See the Full List

The 2026 Grammy nominations have been announced. Presenters such as Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Lizzo, Doechii, Jon Batiste, Karol G, Mumford & Sons, Sam Smith, and Nicole Scherzinger took part in announcing the nominees in a live stream today (November 7). Kendrick Lamar, who swept his categories at last year’s awards with ‘Not Like Us’, leads the field with nine nominations, while Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff, and Mayhem producer Cirkut earned seven apiece.

Lamar has been nominated for Album of the Year seven times, but has never won. His album GNX is now competing against records by Bad Bunny, Clipse, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Leon Thomas, Sabrina Carpenter, and Tyler, the Creator. In fact, all but one of these artists – R&B singer Leon Thomas – have been up for but never gotten the award.

First-time nominees include Dijon, who got a nod for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical (as well as his contributions to Justin Bieber’s Swag), Zach Top, Addison Rae, PinkPantheress, and Lola Young.

This year, the Recording Academy has finally introduced a category for Best Album Cover, which, as a publication whose year-end coverage has included a best album covers list for a while now, we’re quite happy about. Its inaugural nominees are Bad Bunny, Djo, Perfume Genius, Tyler, the Creator, and Wet Leg.

The 2026 Grammy Awards take place on February 1, 2026 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The event will be broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+.

Record of the Year
Bad Bunny – DTMF
Billie Eilish – Wildflower
Chappell Roan – The Subway
Doechii – Anxiety
Kendrick Lamar & SZA – Luther
Lady Gaga – Abracadabra
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt.
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild

Album of the Year
Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos
Clipse, Pusha T & Malice – Let God Sort Em Out
Justin Bieber – Swag
Kendrick Lamar – GNX
Lady Gaga – Mayhem
Leon Thomas – Mutt
Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
Tyler, the Creator – Chromakopia

Song of the Year
Bad Bunny – DTMF
Billie Eilish – Wildflower
Doechii – Anxiety
Huntr/x – Golden
Kendrick Lamar & SZA – Luther
Lady Gaga – Abracadabra
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt.
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild

Best New Artist
Addison Rae
Alex Warren
Katseye
Leon Thomas
Lola Young
The Marías
Olivia Dean
Sombr

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
Blake Mills
Cirkut
Dan Auerbach
Dijon
Sounwave

Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical
Amy Allen
Edgar Barrera
Jessie Jo Dillon
Laura Veltz
Tobias Jesso Jr.

Best Pop Solo Performance
Chappell Roan – The Subway
Justin Bieber – Daisies
Lady Gaga – Disease
Lola Young – Messy
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild

Best Pop/Duo Group Performance
Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande – Defying Gravity
Huntr/x – Golden
Katseye – Gabriela
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt.
SZA With Kendrick Lamar – 30 for 30

Best Pop Vocal Album
Justin Bieber – Swag
Lady Gaga – Mayhem
Miley Cyrus – Something Beautiful
Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
Teddy Swims – I’ve Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 2)

Best Dance/Electronic Recording
Disclosure & Anderson .Paak – No Cap
Fred Again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax – Victory Lap
Kaytranada – Space Invader
Skrillex – Voltage
Tame Impala – End of Summer

Best Dance Pop Recording
Lady Gaga – Abracadabra
PinkPantheress – Illegal
Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco – Bluest Flame
Tate McRae – Just Keep Watching (From F1® the Movie)
Zara Larsson – Midnight Sun

Best Dance/Electronic Album
FKA twigs – Eusexua
Fred Again.. – Ten Days
PinkPantheress – Fancy That
Rüfüs Du Sol – Inhale / Exhale
Skrillex – F*ck U Skrillex You Think Ur Andy Warhol but Ur Not!! <3

Best Remixed Recording
The Chemical Brothers & Chris Lake – Galvanize (Chris Lake Remix)
Huntr/x & David Guetta – Golden (David Guetta Rem/x)
Lady Gaga & Gesaffelstein – Abracadabra (Gesaffelstein Remix)
Mariah Carey & Kaytranada – Don’t Forget About Us (Kaytranada Remix)
Soul II Soul – A Dreams a Dream (Ron Trent Refix)

Best Rock Performance
Amyl and the Sniffers – U Should Not Be Doing That
Hayley Williams – Mirtazapine
Linkin Park – The Emptiness Machine
Turnstile – Never Enough
Yungblud, Nuno Bettencourt & Frank Bello Featuring Adam Wakeman & II – Changes (Live From Villa Park / Back to the Beginning)

Best Metal Performance
Dream Theater – Night Terror
Ghost – Lachryma
Sleep Token – Emergence
Spiritbox – Soft Spine
Turnstile – Birds

Best Rock Song
Hayley Williams – Glum
Nine Inch Nails – As Alive as You Need Me to Be
Sleep Token – Caramel
Turnstile – Never Enough
Yungblud – Zombie

Best Rock Album
Deftones – Private Music
Haim – I Quit
Linkin Park – From Zero
Turnstile – Never Enough
Yungblud – Idols

Best Alternative Music Performance
Bon Iver – Everything Is Peaceful Love
The Cure – Alone
Hayley Williams – Parachute
Turnstile – Seein’ Stars
Wet Leg – Mangetout

Best Alternative Music Album
Bon Iver – SABLE, fABLE
The Cure – Songs of a Lost World
Hayley Williams – Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party
Tyler, the Creator – Don’t Tap the Glass
Wet Leg – Moisturizer

Best R&B Performance
Chris Brown Featuring Bryson Tiller – It Depends
Justin Bieber – Yukon
Kehlani – Folded
Leon Thomas – Mutt (Live from NPR’s Tiny Desk)
Summer Walker – Heart of a Woman

Best Traditional R&B Performance
Durand Bernarr – Here We Are
Lalah Hathaway – Uptown
Ledisi – Love You Too
Leon Thomas – Vibes Don’t Lie
SZA – Crybaby

Best R&B Song
Chris Brown Featuring Bryson Tiller – It Depends
Durand Bernarr – Overqualified
Kehlani – Folded
Leon Thomas – Yes It Is
Summer Walker – Heart of a Woman

Best Progressive R&B Album
Bilal – Adjust Brightness
Destin Conrad – Love on Digital
Durand Bernarr – Bloom
Flo – Access All Areas
Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon – Come as You Are

Best R&B Album
Coco Jones – Why Not More?
Giveon – Beloved
Ledisi – The Crown
Leon Thomas – Mutt
Teyana Taylor – Escape Room

Best Rap Performance
Cardi B – Outside
Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T & Malice – Chains & Whips
Doechii – Anxiety
Kendrick Lamar Featuring Lefty Gunplay – TV Off
Tyler, the Creator Featuring Teezo Touchdown – Darling, I

Best Melodic Rap Performance
Fridayy & Meek Mill – Proud of Me
JID, Ty Dolla $ign & 6lack – Wholeheartedly
Kendrick Lamar & SZA – Luther
PartyNextDoor & Drake – Somebody Loves Me
Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon Featuring Rapsody – WeMaj

Best Rap Song
Clipse, John Legend, Voices of Fire, Pusha T & Malice – The Birds Don’t Sing
Doechii – Anxiety
Glorilla – TGIF
Kendrick Lamar Featuring Lefty Gunplay – TV Off
Tyler, the Creator Featuring Glorilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne – Sticky

Best Rap Album
Clipse, Pusha T & Malice – Let God Sort Em Out
Glorilla – Glorious
JID – God Does Like Ugly
Kendick Lamar – GNX
Tyler, the Creator – Chromakopia

Best Spoken Word Poetry Album
Marc Marcel – Black Shaman
Omari Hardwick & Anthony Hamilton – Pages
Queen Sheba – A Hurricane in Heels: Healed People Don’t Act Like That (Partially Recorded Live @City Winery & Other Places)
Saul Williams & Carlos Niño & Friends – Saul Williams Meets Carlos Niño & Friends at Treepeople (Live)
Skillz – Words for Days, Vol. 1

Best Jazz Performance
Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade – Windows (Live)
Lakecia Benjamin Featuring Immanuel Wilkins & Mark Whitfield – Noble Rise
Michael Mayo – Four
Nicole Zuraitis, Dan Pugach & Tom Scott Featuring Idan Morim, Keyon Harrold, Rachel Eckroth & Sam Weber – All Stars Lead to You (Live)
Samara Joy – Peace of Mind / Dreams Come True

Best Jazz Vocal Album
Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap – Elemental
Michael Mayo – Fly
Nicole Zuraitis, Dan Pugach & Tom Scott Featuring Idan Morim, Keyon Harrold, Rachel Eckroth & Sam Weber – Live at Vic’s Las Vegas
Samara Joy – Portrait
Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell – We Insist 2025!

Best Jazz Instrumental Album
Branford Marsalis Quartet – Belonging
Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade – Trilogy 3 (Live)
John Patitucci Featuring Chris Potter & Brian Blade – Spirit Fall
Sullivan Fortner – Southern Nights
Yellowjackets – Fasten Up

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
Christian McBride – Without Further Ado, Vol 1
Danilo Pérez & Bohuslän Big Band – Lumen
Deborah Silver & The Count Basie Orchestra – Basie Rocks!
Kenny Wheeler Legacy Featuring The Royal Academy of Music Jazz Orchestra & Frost Jazz Orchestra – Some Days Are Better: The Lost Scores
Sun Ra Arkestra – Lights on a Satellite

Best Latin Jazz Album
Arturo O’Farrill – The Original Influencers: Dizzy, Chano & Chico (Live at Town Hall)
Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra – Mundoagua – Celebrating Carla Bley
Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Yainer Horta & Joey Calveiro – A Tribute to Benny Moré and Nat King Cole
Miguel Zenón Quartet – Vanguardia Subterránea: Live at the Village Vanguard
Paquito D’Rivera – Madrid-New York Connection Band – La Fleur de Cayenne

Best Alternative Jazz Album
Ambrose Akinmusire – Honey From a Winter Stone
Brad Mehldau – Ride into the Sun
Immanuel Wilkins – Blues Blood
Nate Smith – Live-Action
Robert Glasper – Keys to the City Volume One

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Barbra Streisand – The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume 2
Elton John & Brandi Carlile – Who Believes in Angels?
Jennifer Hudson – The Gift of Love
Lady Gaga – Harlequin
Laila Biali – Wintersongs
Laufey – A Matter of Time

Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
Arkai – Brightside
Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda & Antonio Sánchez – BEATrio
Bob James & Dave Koz – Just Us
Charu Suri – Shayan
Gerald Clayton – Ones & Twos

Best Musical Theater Album
Buena Vista Social Club
Death Becomes Her
Gypsy
Just in Time
Maybe Happy Ending

Best Country Solo Performance
Chris Stapleton – Bad as I Used to Be (From F1® the Movie)
Lainey Wilson – Somewhere Over Laredo
Shaboozey – Good News
Tyler Childers – Nose on the Grindstone
Zach Top – I Never Lie

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
George Strait Featuring Chris Stapleton – Honky Tonk Hall of Fame
Margo Price Featuring Tyler Childers – Love Me Like You Used to Do
Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton – A Song to Sing
Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert & Lainey Wilson – Trailblazer
Shaboozey & Jelly Roll – Amen

Best Country Song
Lainey Wilson – Somewhere Over Laredo
Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton – A Song to Sing
Shaboozey – Good News
Tyler Childers – Bitin’ List
Zach Top – I Never Lie

Best Traditional Country Album
Charley Crockett – Dollar a Day
Lukas Nelson – American Romance
Margo Price – Hard Headed Woman
Willie Nelson – Oh What a Beautiful World
Zach Top – Ain’t in It for My Health

Best Contemporary Country Album
Eric Church – Evangeline vs. the Machine
Jelly Roll – Beautifully Broken
Kelsea Ballerini – Patterns
Miranda Lambert – Postcards From Texas
Tyler Childers – Snipe Hunter

Best American Roots Performance
Alison Krauss & Union Station – Richmond on the James
I’m With Her – Ancient Light
Jason Isbell – Crimson and Clay
Jon Batiste Featuring Randy Newman – Lonely Avenue
Mavis Staples – Beautiful Strangers

Best Americana Performance
Jesse Welles – Horses
Maggie Rose & Grace Potter – Poison in My Well
Mavis Staples – Godspeed
Molly Tuttle – That’s Gonna Leave a Mark
Sierra Hull – Boom

Best American Roots Song
I’m With Her – Ancient Light
Jason Isbell – Foxes in the Snow
Jesse Welles – Middle
Jon Batiste – Big Money
Sierra Hull – Spitfire

Best Americana Album
Jesse Welles – Middle
Jon Batiste – Big Money
Larkin Poe – Bloom
Molly Tuttle – So Long Little Miss Sunshine
Willie Nelson – Last Leaf on the Tree

Best Bluegrass Album
Alison Krauss & Union Station – Arcadia
Billy Strings – Highway Prayers
Michael Cleveland & Jason Carter – Carter & Cleveland
Sierra Hull – A Tip Toe High Wire
The Steeldrivers – Outrun

Best Traditional Blues Album
Buddy Guy – Ain’t Done With the Blues
Charlie Musselwhite – Look Out Highway
Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Bobby Rush – Young Fashioned Ways
Maria Muldaur – One Hour Mama: The Blues of Victoria Spivey
Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ – Room on the Porch

Best Contemporary Blues Album
Eric Gales – A Tribute to LJK
Joe Bonamassa – Breakthrough
Robert Randolph – Preacher Kids
Samantha Fish – Paper Doll
Southern Avenue – Family

Best Folk Album
I’m With Her – Wild and Clear and Blue
Jason Isbell – Foxes in the Snow
Jesse Welles – Under the Powerlines (Live April 2024 – September 2024)
Patty Griffin – Crown of Roses
Rhiannon Giddens & Justin Robinson – What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow

Best Regional Roots Music Album
Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet – Live at Vaughan’s
Kyle Roussel – Church of New Orleans
Preservation Brass & Preservation Hall Jazz Band – For Fat Man
Trombone Shorty & New Breed Brass Band – Second Line Sunday
Various Artists – A Tribute to the King of Zydeco

Best Gospel Performance/Song
Cece Winans & Shirley Caesar – Come Jesus Come
Jonathan McReynolds & Jamal Roberts – Still (Live)
Kirk Franklin – Do It Again
Pastor Mike Jr. – Amen
Tasha Cobbs Leonard & John Legend – Church

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
Brandon Lake & Jelly Roll – Hard Fought Hallelujah
Darrel Walls & PJ Morton – Amazing
Elevation Worship, Chris Brown & Brandon Lake – I Know a Name
Forrest Frank – Your Way’s Better
Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I. – Headphones

Best Gospel Album
Darrel Walls & PJ Morton – Heart of Mine
Tamela Mann – Live Breathe Fight
Tasha Cobbs Leonard – Tasha
Tye Tribbett – Only on the Road (Live)
Yolanda Adams – Sunny Days

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
Brandon Lake – King of Hearts
Forrest Frank – Child of God II
Israel & New Breed – Coritos, Vol. 1
Lecrae – Reconstruction
Tauren Wells – Let the Church Sing

Best Roots Gospel Album
The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir – I Will Not Be Moved (Live)
Candi Staton – Back to My Roots
Gaither Vocal Band – Then Came the Morning
The Isaacs – Praise & Worship: More Than a Hollow Hallelujah
Karen Peck & New River – Good Answers

Best Latin Pop Album
Alejandro Sanz – ¿Y Ahora Qué?
Andrés Cepeda – Bogotá (Deluxe)
Karol G – Tropicoqueta
Natalia Lafourcade – Cancionera
Rauw Alejandro – Cosa Nuestra

Best Música Urbana Album
Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos
Feid – Ferxxo Vol X: Sagrado
J Balvin – Mixteip
Nicki Nicole – Naiki
Trueno – EUB Deluxe
Yandel – Sinfónico (En Vivo)

Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album
Aterciopelados – Genes Rebeldes
Bomba Estéreo, Rawayana & Astropical – Astropical
Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso – Papota
Fito Páez – Novela
Los Wizzards – Algorhythm

Best Música Mexicana Album (Including Tejano)
Bobby Pulido – Bobby Pulido & Friends Una Tuya Y una Mía – Por la Puerta Grande (En Vivo)
Carín León – Palabra de To’s (Seca)
Fuerza Regida & Grupo Frontera – Mala Mía
Grupo Frontera – Y Lo Que Viene
Paola Jara – Sin Rodeos

Best Tropical Latin Album
Alain Pérez – Bingo
Gilberto Santa Rosa – Debut y Segunda Tanda, Vol. 2
Gloria Estefan – Raíces
Grupo Niche – Clásicos 1.0
Rubén Blades Featuring Roberto Delgado & Orquesta – Fotografías

Best Global Music Performance
Angélique Kidjo – Jerusalema
Anoushka Shankar Featuring Alam Khan & Sarathy Korwar – Daybreak
Bad Bunny – Eoo
Ciro Hurtado – Cantando en el Camino
Shakti – Shrini’s Dream (Live)
Yeisy Rojas – Inmigrante y Que?

Best African Music Performance
Ayra Starr & Wizkid – Gimme Dat
Burna Boy – Love
Davido Featuring Omah Lay – With You
Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin – Hope & Love
Tyla – Push 2 Start

Best Global Music Album
Anoushka Shankar Featuring Alam Khan & Sarathy Korwar – Chapter III: We Return to Light
Burna Boy – No Sign of Weakness
Caetano Veloso & Maria Bethânia – Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo
Shakti – Mind Explosion (50th Anniversary Tour Live)
Siddhant Bhatia – Sounds of Kumbha
Youssou N’Dour – Éclairer le monde – Light the World

Best Reggae Album
Jesse Royal – No Place Like Home
Keznamdi – Blxxd & Fyah
Lila Iké – Treasure Self Love
Mortimer – From Within
Vybz Kartel – Heart & Soul

Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album
Carla Patullo – Nomadica
Cheryl B. Engelhardt & Gem – According to the Moon
Chris Redding – The Colors in My Mind
Jahnavi Harrison – Into the Forest
Kirsten Agresta-Copely – Kuruvinda

Best Children’s Music Album
Flor Bromley – Herstory
Fyütch & Aura V – Harmony
Joanie Leeds & Joya – Ageless: 100 Years Young
Mega Ran – Buddy’s Magic Tree House
Tori Amos – The Music of Tori and the Muses

Best Comedy Album
Ali Wong – Single Lady
Bill Burr – Drop Dead Years
Jamie Foxx – What Had Happened Was…
Nate Bargatze – Your Friend, Nate Bargatze
Sarah Silverman – PostMortem

Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording
Dalai Lama – Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Fab Morvan – You Know It’s True: The Real Story of Milli Vanilli
Kathy Garver – Elvis, Rocky & Me: The Carol Connors Story
Ketanji Brown Jackson – Lovely One: A Memoir
Trevor Noah – Into the Uncut Grass

Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
Timothée Chalamet – A Complete Unknown
Various Artists – F1® the Album
Various Artists – KPop Demon Hunters
Various Artists – Sinners
Various Artists – Wicked

Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (Includes Film and Television)
John Powell – How to Train Your Dragon
John Powell & Stephen Schwartz – Wicked
Kris Bowers – The Wild Robot
Ludwig Göransson – Sinners
Theodore Shapiro – Severance: Season 2

Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media
Austin Wintory – Sword of the Sea
Gordy Haab – Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Pinar Toprak – Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – Secrets of the Spires
Wilbert Roget, II – Helldivers 2
Wilbert Roget, II & Cody Matthew Johnson – Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card & A Pirate’s Fortune

Best Song Written for Visual Media
Elton John & Brandi Carlile – Never Too Late (From the Film “Elton John: Never Too Late”)
Huntr/x – Golden
Jayme Lawson – Pale, Pale Moon
Miles Caton – I Lied to You
Nine Inch Nails – As Alive as You Need Me to Be
Rod Wave – Sinners

Best Music Video
Clipse – So Be It
Doechii – Anxiety
OK Go – Love
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
Sade – Young Lion

Best Music Film
Devo – Devo
Diane Warren – Relentless
John Williams – Music by John Williams
Pharrell Williams – Piece by Piece
Raye – Live at the Royal Albert Hall

Best Recording Package
Bruce Springsteen – Tracks II: The Lost Albums
Duran Duran – Danse Macabre: De Luxe
Mac Miller – Balloonerism
Mac Miller – The Spins (Picture Disc Vinyl)
OK Go – And the Adjacent Possible
Tsunami – Loud Is As
Various Artists – Sequoia

Best Album Cover
Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos
Djo – The Crux
Perfume Genius – Glory
Tyler, the Creator – Chromakopia
Wet Leg – Moisturizer

Best Album Notes
Amanda Ekery – Árabe
Buck Owens and His Buckaroos – Adios, Farewell, Goodbye, Good Luck, So Long: On Stage 1964-1974
Anouar Brahem, Anja Lechner, Django Bates & Dave Holland – After the Last Sky
Miles Davis – Miles ’55: The Prestige Recordings
Sly and the Family Stone – The First Family: Live at the Winchester Cathedral 1967
Wilco – A Ghost Is Born (Expanded Edition)

Best Historical Album
Doc Pomus – You Can’t Hip a Square: The Doc Pomus Songwriting Demos
Joni Mitchell – Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 4: The Asylum Years (1976-1980)
Nick Drake – The Making of Five Leaves Left
Various Artists – Roots Rocking Zimbabwe – The Modern Sound of Harare’ Townships 1975-1980 (Analog Africa No.41)
Various Artists – Super Disco Pirata – De Tepito Para el Mundo 1965-1980 (Analog Africa No.39)

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
Alison Krauss & Union Station – Arcadia
Cam – All Things Light
Japanese Breakfast – For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women)
Pino Palladino & Blake Mills – That Wasn’t a Dream

Best Engineered Album, Classical
Andris Nelsons, Kristine Opolais, Günther Groissböck, Peter Hoare, Brenden Gunnell & Boston Symphony Orchestra – Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk District
The Cleveland Orchestra & Franz Welser-Möst – Eastman: Symphony No. 2 – Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2
Sandbox Percussion – Cerrone: Don’t Look Down
Third Coast Percussion – Standard Stoppages
Trio Mediæval – Yule

Producer of the Year, Classical
Blanton Alspaugh
Dmitriy Lipay
Elaine Martone
Morten Lindberg
Sergei Kvitko

Best Immersive Audio Album
Duckwrth – All American F**k Boy
Justin Gray – Immersed
Tearjerkers – Tearjerkers
Trio Mediæval – Yule
Various Artists – An Immersive Tribute to Astor Piazzolla (Live)

Best Instrumental Composition
John Powell & Stephen Schwartz – Train to Emerald City
Ludwig Göransson Featuring Miles Caton – Why You Here / Before the Sun Went Down (From “Sinners” Score)
Miho Hazama, Danish Radio Big Band & Danish National Symphony Orchestra – Live Life This Day: Movement I
Nordkraft Big Band, Remy Le Boeuf & Danielle Wertz – First Snow
Sierra Hull – Lord, That’s a Long Way
Zain Effendi – Opening

Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella
Cynthia Erivo – Be Okay
Nordkraft Big Band & Remy Le Boeuf – A Child Is Born
The Westerlies – Fight On
The 8-Bit Big Band – Super Mario Praise Break

Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals
Cody Fry – What a Wonderful World
Jacob Collier – Keep an Eye on Summer
Lawrence – Something in the Water (Acoustic-ish)
Nate Smith & Säje – Big Fish
Seth MacFarlane – How Did She Look?

Best Orchestral Performance
Andris Nelsons & Boston Symphony Orchestra – Messiaen: Turangalîla-Symphonie
Esa-Pekka Salonen – San Francisco Symphony – Stravinsky: Symphony in Three Movements
Gustavo Dudamel & Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela – Ravel: Boléro, M. 81
Michael Repper & National Philharmonic – Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Toussaint L’Ouverture, Op. 46 – Ballade Op. 4 – Suites From “24 Negro Melodies”
Yannick Nézet-Séguin & The Philadelphia Orchestra – Still & Bonds: Symphonies & Variations

Best Opera Recording
Alan Pierson, The Choir of Trinity Wall Street & Silvana Quartet – Kouyoumdjian: Adoration (Live)
American Composers Orchestra & Carolyn Kuan – Huang Ruo: An American Soldier
Emily D’Angelo, Ellie Dehn, Ben Bliss, Kyle Miller, Greer Grimsley, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, The Metropolitan Opera Chorus & Yannick Nézet-Séguin – Tesori: Grounded (Live)
Houston Grand Opera, Kwamé Ryan, Janai Brugger, Jamie Barton & J’Nai Bridges – Jake Heggie: Intelligence
Irish National Opera & Elaine Kelly – O’Halloran: Trade / Mary Motorhead

Best Choral Performance
Anne Akiko Meyers, Los Angeles Master Chorale & Grant Gershon – Billy Childs: In the Arms of the Beloved
The Clarion Choir & Steven Fox – Requiem of Light
Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson- Advena: Liturgies for a Broken World
The Crossing & David Nally – David Lang: Poor Hymnal
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel & Alisa Weilerstein – Gabriela Ortiz: Yanga

Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance
Alan Pierson & Alarm Will Sound – Donnacha Dennehy: Land of Winter
Lili Haydn & Paul Cantelon – Lullabies for the Brokenhearted
Mak Grgić & Mateusz Kowalski – Slavic Sessions – Slavic Sessions
Neave Trio – La mer: French Piano Trios
Third Coast Percussion – Standard Stoppages

Best Classical Compendium
Christina Sandsengen – Tombeaux
Janai Brugger, Isolde Fair, MB Gordy & Starr Parodi – Seven Seasons
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel & Alisa Weilerstein – Gabriela Ortiz: Yanga
Sandbox Percussion – Cerrone: Don’t Look Down
Will Liverman – The Dunbar/Moore Sessions, Vol. II

Best Contemporary Classical Composition
Christopher Cerrone – Cerrone: Don’t Look Down
Donnacha Dennehy – Dennehy: Land of Winter
Gabriela Ortiz – Ortiz: Dzonot
Shawn E. Okpebholo – Okpebholo: Songs in Flight
Tania León – León: Raíces (Origins)

Grace Ives Returns With Three New Songs

Konstantinos Pappis
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Grace Ives Returns With Three New Songs

Grace Ives is back with three new songs. The rippling, infectious ‘Avalanche’ arrives with a music video, while ‘Dance with Me’ and ‘My Mans’ are more fuzzy and subdued. Released via True Panther Records/Capitol Records, the tracks were written and produced with Ariel Rechtshaid. Take a listen below.

In a press release, Ives wrote:

This music is a step outside of the house. It’s ambitious in its attempt to capture my will to change. I’ve always waited around for things to get better in my life rather than taking action and responsibility. I’ve stayed at jobs that I hated for far too long, stayed inside or in bed for days ignoring outside advice, hurting my body and asking God to make my pain go away instead of breaking my own destructive cycles. In 2023, after touring Janky Star, I hit a true rock bottom and have been finding my way out of the dark hole I dug for myself since then. I was drinking, lying and hiding. I fell down stairs; I called out sick; I stole; I was a shitty girlfriend, a bad daughter; I abandoned the few friends I had; I cried and vomited beyond bile. Gross. When I finally stopped drinking, I stopped lying. I gave up trying to control everything and let life take over. I saw my life clearly. Yes, I was miserable—my boyfriend haaaated me (valid), my friends and family were disappointed and hurt (fair), and my tailbone was FUCKED—but I actually saw my life for what it was: a disaster! I had abandoned myself, abandoned my path, abandoned music and love. I snapped out of it and made a slow-motion return to my place in the world. 
What I write about in this music follows this story of my “crash out,” if you will—a life of drinking and hiding and hurting that ended in betrayal and hospital bills galore, and the will to change that followed. It’s the confidence of the storm and the clarity in the calm of the aftermath (douchey). I’ve lived in one place my whole life. I’ve loved one person my whole life—and I believe this is beautiful, but I’ve had an honest desire to experience more that hadn’t been actualized until I came to California to write.
In and out of the studio, I felt myself existing in a world bigger than my house in Brooklyn. I wrote in different libraries all over LA, trying to figure out what to say in these songs. Somehow, this time around, I felt safer out in the world than I did holed up in my nest. Like trying to be a good person while surrounded by new places and people was a more secure plan than trying to change all alone at home. I felt safe getting lost, driving with friends, driving alone. Stopping in random motels and going down wrong roads felt way less dangerous than the life of falling, flailing and sneaking around I had gotten so used to in New York. Out in the open, in the wild, on the road, there was nowhere for me to hide. Nothing to steal. Nothing to chase. It’s a proper antidote to self-inflicted isolation and sedation.
This music feels more real to me than anything I’ve made before. I’ve played more instruments in the past year making this record than I’ve played in the majority of my life. I’ve let my heart and my hands work freely. I wanted to live in LA alone. I lived in LA alone. I wanted people to trust me. I tried to be open and treat people with more sincerity. I learned how to drive. I drove. The sky expanded around me and reminded me that I was not, in fact, the center of the universe. Just a small part of it. Thank god. 

This era of my life feels like freedom. There’s still some shrapnel on the ground from my chaotic years, but it doesn’t drag me down so much. I think I can hear this in the music. The songs I’ve made feel spacious, clear and confident. I feel their darkness, but also their buzzing energy to keep moving. The music is serious, but also bursting with joy. I talk more these days, I say yes to plans, fall in love with strangers and try to fix the things I break. I’ve been on a road, and I’m a confident driver (maybe to a fault). I’m not lonely, I’m alive and I’m laughing, and I feel my heart beat really fast, and it doesn’t scare me like it used to. I’m really here, and I’m trying not to hide or bail.

Grace Ives’ last album, Janky Star, came out in 2022. Revisit our Artist Spotlight interview with Grace Ives. 

Fortnite x The Simpsons: Where to Find Homer’s House

Shubhendu Vatsa
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Fortnite x The Simpsons: Where to Find Homer’s House

It wouldn’t be a Fortnite x The Simpsons collab without Homer’s iconic house and the devs have not only added the Simpsons’ residence for you to check out but even managed to make a quest out of it. Like every other Fortnite season, Epic’s current The Simpsons-themed mini-season has added a deluge of content, quests, as well as Springfield-inspired locations and POIs to the island, including Springfield Slurpworks, the Town Square, and obviously, Homer’s home. Out of the many story missions in Fortnite Chapter 6 Mini-Season 2, one asks you to “enter the Simpsons house and inspect different remotes” to find out what Homer is plotting. Whether you’re a fan of the show and want to check out the house for yourself or simply complete the quest, here’s where you can find Homer’s house in Fortnite.

Where to Find The Simpsons House in Fortnite

Much like the show, Homer’s beloved two-storey house in Fortnite is located in Evergreen Terrace and looks exactly the way it did in the show. To find The Simpsons house in Fortnite, simply head to Evergreen Terrace on the west side of the island, southwest of Cletus’ Corn Hole and north of Springfield Slurpworks. Homer’s house in Fortnite sits right in the middle, sporting a brown roof. To complete the quest, you can walk right in through the front door and inspect five remote controls placed within the house that are marked with an exclamation point. The remotes are fairly easy to find and after you’re done with the quest, you can stick around for tons of extra loot.Inside the Fortnite Homer house, there’s loot near the TV room couch, by the kitchen and in Bart’s room upstairs. Moreover, if you want to go about the Springfield map faster, you can take Homer’s pink two-seater sedan parked in the driveway for a spin. After you’re done exploring Homer’s house in Fortnite and have grabbed all the loot, you can go on to find and eliminate all the Fortnite Simpsons bosses in order to get your hands on their mythic weapons.

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