posted
02/16/12
So the Grammys have come and gone, and unless you’re a full-time music devotee, you probably haven’t listened to every artist who walked off stage with one of those little gold gramophones. To help you catch up, we’ve put together a playlist of some of the best tracks from this year’s Grammy winners. Click the button below to listen to the full set on Made Man’s Spotify.
1. “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele
Adele took home more Grammys than anyone this year, and for good reason. Her album 21 was among the most popular of the year, and lead single “Rolling in the Deep”—a bluesy, foot-stomping anthem about love gone wrong—put her name firmly on the map.
2. “For Emma” by Bon Iver
Bon Iver (also known as one-man act Justin Vernon) was named best new artist of the year, having gained widespread recognition for his second album, the self-titled Bon Iver. While the album is good and all, for those just getting acquainted with Bon Iver, check out Vernon’s first album, For Emma, Forever Ago. Pay special attention to eponymous track “For Emma,” a horn-heavy number carried by Vernon’s crooning falsetto and topped off with a wailing slide guitar.
“Rolling in the Deep” is a bluesy, foot-stomping anthem about love gone wrong that put Adele firmly on the map.
3. “Progress” by Booker T. Jones
Fifty years after he and The M.G.s gave us “Green Onions,” Booker T. Jones is still going strong. He took the Grammy for best pop instrumental album this year for The Road from Memphis, and the infectious, upbeat melody on lead track “Progress” should tell you exactly why.
4. “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” by Skrillex
Skrillex’s music is about as divisive as it is popular. For every rabid, womp-crazed fan of his distinct take on the dub step genre, he’s got a brutally pissed off hater ready to take a mixing board to his head. Fortunately for Skrillex—winner of two Grammys this year for best dance recording and best dance album—that controversy has only helped elevate his name. Listen to “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” and decide for yourself what you think of the guy’s work.
5. “Walk” by Foo Fighters
The Foo Fighters took a handful of Grammys this year, including two for best rock album and best rock song. “Walk” gained them the latter award, likely for the fact that it was one of the most popular songs of 2011. With all the Foo Fighters staples—including a melancholy guitar intro that slowly grows into a triumphant, stadium-worthy chorus—the song is a radio favorite and will probably be stuck in your head for a while after you listen to it.
