The GRAMMYs
2026
Dec 1st, 2025
Best Alternative Music Album
Best Alternative Music Album
Best Alternative Music Album
Nominees for The GRAMMY Awards
2026
Previous Winner
All Born Screaming (St. Vincent)
Criteria
Albums with >75% playing time of new alternative music recordings.
Albums with >75% playing time of new alternative music recordings.
Albums with >75% playing time of new alternative music recordings.
The nominees for The GRAMMYs Best Alternative Music Album 2026 are SABLE, fABLE (Bon Iver), Songs Of A Lost World (The Cure), DON'T TAP THE GLASS (Tyler, The Creator), moisturizer (Wet Leg), Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party (Hayley Williams).
Read on for more information about all the nominees and their contributors..
Best Alternative Music Album
DON'T TAP THE GLASS
Tyler, The Creator's DON'T TAP THE GLASS arrived as a surprise release in mid-2025, coinciding with his ongoing Chromakopia: The World Tour.
Commercial success
Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Earned 197K equivalent units in its first four days of release.
Marked Tyler, The Creator's fourth consecutive album to open atop the Billboard 200.
Cultural impact
Tyler, The Creator directed the music videos for the album's tracks "STOP PLAYING WITH ME" with cameos from Clipse, Maverick Carter & Lebron James.
Tyler solely produced each of the album's ten tracks.
Songs from DON'T TAP THE GLASS became centerpieces of the Chromakopia: The World Tour setlist, with live arrangements highlighting the album's blend of funk, soul, and dance influences.
Critical response
Variety noted that Tyler, The Creator "threads all the sounds and vibes with an auteur’s aesthetic creativity and Frankensteinian instincts for genre fusion." Read full review
Pitchfork characterized the album as "a record only Tyler could make: retro but not nostalgic; tender but steely; jangly yet slick." Read full review
The Guardian observed that DON'T TAP THE GLASS "ultimately feels more narrow and focused," with almost all of its 10 tracks "fixated on the dancefloor." Read full review
}
DON'T TAP THE GLASS
Tyler, The Creator's DON'T TAP THE GLASS arrived as a surprise release in mid-2025, coinciding with his ongoing Chromakopia: The World Tour.
Commercial success
Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Earned 197K equivalent units in its first four days of release.
Marked Tyler, The Creator's fourth consecutive album to open atop the Billboard 200.
Cultural impact
Tyler, The Creator directed the music videos for the album's tracks "STOP PLAYING WITH ME" with cameos from Clipse, Maverick Carter & Lebron James.
Tyler solely produced each of the album's ten tracks.
Songs from DON'T TAP THE GLASS became centerpieces of the Chromakopia: The World Tour setlist, with live arrangements highlighting the album's blend of funk, soul, and dance influences.
Critical response
Variety noted that Tyler, The Creator "threads all the sounds and vibes with an auteur’s aesthetic creativity and Frankensteinian instincts for genre fusion." Read full review
Pitchfork characterized the album as "a record only Tyler could make: retro but not nostalgic; tender but steely; jangly yet slick." Read full review
The Guardian observed that DON'T TAP THE GLASS "ultimately feels more narrow and focused," with almost all of its 10 tracks "fixated on the dancefloor." Read full review
}
DON'T TAP THE GLASS
Tyler, The Creator's DON'T TAP THE GLASS arrived as a surprise release in mid-2025, coinciding with his ongoing Chromakopia: The World Tour.
Commercial success
Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Earned 197K equivalent units in its first four days of release.
Marked Tyler, The Creator's fourth consecutive album to open atop the Billboard 200.
Cultural impact
Tyler, The Creator directed the music videos for the album's tracks "STOP PLAYING WITH ME" with cameos from Clipse, Maverick Carter & Lebron James.
Tyler solely produced each of the album's ten tracks.
Songs from DON'T TAP THE GLASS became centerpieces of the Chromakopia: The World Tour setlist, with live arrangements highlighting the album's blend of funk, soul, and dance influences.
Critical response
Variety noted that Tyler, The Creator "threads all the sounds and vibes with an auteur’s aesthetic creativity and Frankensteinian instincts for genre fusion." Read full review
Pitchfork characterized the album as "a record only Tyler could make: retro but not nostalgic; tender but steely; jangly yet slick." Read full review
The Guardian observed that DON'T TAP THE GLASS "ultimately feels more narrow and focused," with almost all of its 10 tracks "fixated on the dancefloor." Read full review
}
Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party
Hayley Williams' Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party marked her first solo release as an independent artist after two decades with Atlantic Records, initially rolling out as a collection of 17 songs on her website without an official tracklist.
Commercial success
The album debuted at No. 173 on the Billboard 200 chart with 9K equivalent units.
It jumped to No. 12 on the Billboard 200 in its second week, earning 27K equivalent units.
Peaked at No. 1 for Independent Albums in both the US and UK.
Cultural impact
On her website, the tracks could only be accessed after entering a code that was sent to fans who purchased a product from Williams's hair dye company.
Williams announced a 2026 solo tour in support of the album, with dates across North America and Europe.
Critical response
Pitchfork noted that Hayley Williams and producer Daniel James frame her multi-octave range in a variety of pop subgenres, including indie pop, pop rock, and dream pop. Read full review
NME observed that Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party sees Williams fearlessly stepping between familiar and fresh influences. Read full review
Rolling Stone praised the album as Hayley Williams' strongest solo work to date, noting she has never sounded braver. Read full review
Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party
Hayley Williams' Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party marked her first solo release as an independent artist after two decades with Atlantic Records, initially rolling out as a collection of 17 songs on her website without an official tracklist.
Commercial success
The album debuted at No. 173 on the Billboard 200 chart with 9K equivalent units.
It jumped to No. 12 on the Billboard 200 in its second week, earning 27K equivalent units.
Peaked at No. 1 for Independent Albums in both the US and UK.
Cultural impact
On her website, the tracks could only be accessed after entering a code that was sent to fans who purchased a product from Williams's hair dye company.
Williams announced a 2026 solo tour in support of the album, with dates across North America and Europe.
Critical response
Pitchfork noted that Hayley Williams and producer Daniel James frame her multi-octave range in a variety of pop subgenres, including indie pop, pop rock, and dream pop. Read full review
NME observed that Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party sees Williams fearlessly stepping between familiar and fresh influences. Read full review
Rolling Stone praised the album as Hayley Williams' strongest solo work to date, noting she has never sounded braver. Read full review
Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party
Hayley Williams' Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party marked her first solo release as an independent artist after two decades with Atlantic Records, initially rolling out as a collection of 17 songs on her website without an official tracklist.
Commercial success
The album debuted at No. 173 on the Billboard 200 chart with 9K equivalent units.
It jumped to No. 12 on the Billboard 200 in its second week, earning 27K equivalent units.
Peaked at No. 1 for Independent Albums in both the US and UK.
Cultural impact
On her website, the tracks could only be accessed after entering a code that was sent to fans who purchased a product from Williams's hair dye company.
Williams announced a 2026 solo tour in support of the album, with dates across North America and Europe.
Critical response
Pitchfork noted that Hayley Williams and producer Daniel James frame her multi-octave range in a variety of pop subgenres, including indie pop, pop rock, and dream pop. Read full review
NME observed that Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party sees Williams fearlessly stepping between familiar and fresh influences. Read full review
Rolling Stone praised the album as Hayley Williams' strongest solo work to date, noting she has never sounded braver. Read full review
moisturizer
Wet Leg's second studio album, moisturizer, followed their acclaimed self-titled debut. The album is the band's first to feature guitarist Josh Mobaraki, bass guitarist Ellis Durand and drummer Henry Holmes as full members of the band, after initially just joining for tour.
Commercial success
Debuted at No. 1 on the Official UK Album Chart, selling over 26,000 units in its first week.
Reached No. 45 on the Billboard 200 list.
Cultural impact
Wet Leg launched the "north american moistourizer 2025" tour, their first in two years, with 19 stops across major cities in NA following a series of festival appearances throughout Europe.
Moisturizer and its singles were accompanied by a series of music videos and performances, such as their appearance on The Tonight Show.
Critical response
The Independent (UK) stated that "Moisturizer's uncanny electricity is off the voltmeter." Read full review
The Guardian praised the album, noting, "Whatever’s inspired them, the songs are supremely punchy, the tunes contagious: Moisturizer is a blast." Read full review
Rolling Stone observed that on Moisturizer, "The emotions... range from crushed-out bliss... to break-up rage." Read full review
moisturizer
Wet Leg's second studio album, moisturizer, followed their acclaimed self-titled debut. The album is the band's first to feature guitarist Josh Mobaraki, bass guitarist Ellis Durand and drummer Henry Holmes as full members of the band, after initially just joining for tour.
Commercial success
Debuted at No. 1 on the Official UK Album Chart, selling over 26,000 units in its first week.
Reached No. 45 on the Billboard 200 list.
Cultural impact
Wet Leg launched the "north american moistourizer 2025" tour, their first in two years, with 19 stops across major cities in NA following a series of festival appearances throughout Europe.
Moisturizer and its singles were accompanied by a series of music videos and performances, such as their appearance on The Tonight Show.
Critical response
The Independent (UK) stated that "Moisturizer's uncanny electricity is off the voltmeter." Read full review
The Guardian praised the album, noting, "Whatever’s inspired them, the songs are supremely punchy, the tunes contagious: Moisturizer is a blast." Read full review
Rolling Stone observed that on Moisturizer, "The emotions... range from crushed-out bliss... to break-up rage." Read full review
moisturizer
Wet Leg's second studio album, moisturizer, followed their acclaimed self-titled debut. The album is the band's first to feature guitarist Josh Mobaraki, bass guitarist Ellis Durand and drummer Henry Holmes as full members of the band, after initially just joining for tour.
Commercial success
Debuted at No. 1 on the Official UK Album Chart, selling over 26,000 units in its first week.
Reached No. 45 on the Billboard 200 list.
Cultural impact
Wet Leg launched the "north american moistourizer 2025" tour, their first in two years, with 19 stops across major cities in NA following a series of festival appearances throughout Europe.
Moisturizer and its singles were accompanied by a series of music videos and performances, such as their appearance on The Tonight Show.
Critical response
The Independent (UK) stated that "Moisturizer's uncanny electricity is off the voltmeter." Read full review
The Guardian praised the album, noting, "Whatever’s inspired them, the songs are supremely punchy, the tunes contagious: Moisturizer is a blast." Read full review
Rolling Stone observed that on Moisturizer, "The emotions... range from crushed-out bliss... to break-up rage." Read full review
Oct 18, 2024
Listen on Spotify
SABLE, fABLE
Bon Iver's fifth album, SABLE, fABLE, marks his first full-length project in six years. Billed as "Bon Iver's next chapter: the epilogue," it followed a three-song collection that served as a prologue.
Commercial success
SABLE, fABLE debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The album opened with 37K equivalent units in the U.S.
It reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Alternative Albums chart.
Cultural impact
Bon Iver held outdoor listening events called 'fABLE sPACEs', with one event including a basketball game.
Frequent collaborator Jim-E Stack lent a hand on each of the tracks' production.
The album inspired an official Pantone color called 'fABLE Salmon'.
Critical response
"'SABLE, fABLE is the more daring album in Bon Iver’s catalog' for its decision to 'turn away from the shadows and emerge from his own familiar misery, determined to experience joy, a leap into the unknown,'" Pitchfork noted. Read full review
Rolling Stone stated that Justin Vernon's first album in six years finds the melancholic indie stalwart at his most hopeful and open, "relenting to lightness." Read full review
Variety described Sable, Fable as a "stylistically sprawling but surprisingly cohesive album" that "contains nearly all of Bon Iver’s multitudes." Read full review
Oct 18, 2024
Listen on Spotify
SABLE, fABLE
Bon Iver's fifth album, SABLE, fABLE, marks his first full-length project in six years. Billed as "Bon Iver's next chapter: the epilogue," it followed a three-song collection that served as a prologue.
Commercial success
SABLE, fABLE debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The album opened with 37K equivalent units in the U.S.
It reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Alternative Albums chart.
Cultural impact
Bon Iver held outdoor listening events called 'fABLE sPACEs', with one event including a basketball game.
Frequent collaborator Jim-E Stack lent a hand on each of the tracks' production.
The album inspired an official Pantone color called 'fABLE Salmon'.
Critical response
"'SABLE, fABLE is the more daring album in Bon Iver’s catalog' for its decision to 'turn away from the shadows and emerge from his own familiar misery, determined to experience joy, a leap into the unknown,'" Pitchfork noted. Read full review
Rolling Stone stated that Justin Vernon's first album in six years finds the melancholic indie stalwart at his most hopeful and open, "relenting to lightness." Read full review
Variety described Sable, Fable as a "stylistically sprawling but surprisingly cohesive album" that "contains nearly all of Bon Iver’s multitudes." Read full review
Oct 18, 2024
Listen on Spotify
SABLE, fABLE
Bon Iver's fifth album, SABLE, fABLE, marks his first full-length project in six years. Billed as "Bon Iver's next chapter: the epilogue," it followed a three-song collection that served as a prologue.
Commercial success
SABLE, fABLE debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The album opened with 37K equivalent units in the U.S.
It reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Alternative Albums chart.
Cultural impact
Bon Iver held outdoor listening events called 'fABLE sPACEs', with one event including a basketball game.
Frequent collaborator Jim-E Stack lent a hand on each of the tracks' production.
The album inspired an official Pantone color called 'fABLE Salmon'.
Critical response
"'SABLE, fABLE is the more daring album in Bon Iver’s catalog' for its decision to 'turn away from the shadows and emerge from his own familiar misery, determined to experience joy, a leap into the unknown,'" Pitchfork noted. Read full review
Rolling Stone stated that Justin Vernon's first album in six years finds the melancholic indie stalwart at his most hopeful and open, "relenting to lightness." Read full review
Variety described Sable, Fable as a "stylistically sprawling but surprisingly cohesive album" that "contains nearly all of Bon Iver’s multitudes." Read full review
Songs Of A Lost World
The Cure's 14th studio album, Songs Of A Lost World, marked their first full-length project in 16 years. Its unconventional rollout included black postcards and a secret website requiring the release date in Roman numerals for access.
Commercial success
The album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, marking the band's best performance on that chart since Wish in 1992.
It became the band's first No. 1 on five Billboard charts, including Top Album Sales.
The album debuted at No. 1 in the UK with sales of 51K units.
Cultural impact
An official album launch show was held on November 1st at The Troxy in London and streamed live on YouTube.
The band also dropped a remix album Mixes of a Lost World with 24 reworks of songs from the album.
Critical response
Slant Magazine noted that "Unlike much of the Cure's output between the mid-1990s and 2008, Songs of a Lost World is textured and well-balanced, achieving a cinematic wall of sound worthy of comparison to 1989's Disintegration." Read full review
Beats Per Minute praised the album as "the most exquisitely produced Cure record," highlighting how "layered instrumentation, vocal inflections and breaths are hidden deep within the mix with something new grabbing your attention on every listen." Read full review
"'A towering, glacially-paced exorcism that simultaneously offers catharsis and makes the weight of the world feel even more overwhelming' is how Consequence characterized Songs of a Lost World." Read full review
Songs Of A Lost World
The Cure's 14th studio album, Songs Of A Lost World, marked their first full-length project in 16 years. Its unconventional rollout included black postcards and a secret website requiring the release date in Roman numerals for access.
Commercial success
The album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, marking the band's best performance on that chart since Wish in 1992.
It became the band's first No. 1 on five Billboard charts, including Top Album Sales.
The album debuted at No. 1 in the UK with sales of 51K units.
Cultural impact
An official album launch show was held on November 1st at The Troxy in London and streamed live on YouTube.
The band also dropped a remix album Mixes of a Lost World with 24 reworks of songs from the album.
Critical response
Slant Magazine noted that "Unlike much of the Cure's output between the mid-1990s and 2008, Songs of a Lost World is textured and well-balanced, achieving a cinematic wall of sound worthy of comparison to 1989's Disintegration." Read full review
Beats Per Minute praised the album as "the most exquisitely produced Cure record," highlighting how "layered instrumentation, vocal inflections and breaths are hidden deep within the mix with something new grabbing your attention on every listen." Read full review
"'A towering, glacially-paced exorcism that simultaneously offers catharsis and makes the weight of the world feel even more overwhelming' is how Consequence characterized Songs of a Lost World." Read full review
Songs Of A Lost World
The Cure's 14th studio album, Songs Of A Lost World, marked their first full-length project in 16 years. Its unconventional rollout included black postcards and a secret website requiring the release date in Roman numerals for access.
Commercial success
The album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, marking the band's best performance on that chart since Wish in 1992.
It became the band's first No. 1 on five Billboard charts, including Top Album Sales.
The album debuted at No. 1 in the UK with sales of 51K units.
Cultural impact
An official album launch show was held on November 1st at The Troxy in London and streamed live on YouTube.
The band also dropped a remix album Mixes of a Lost World with 24 reworks of songs from the album.
Critical response
Slant Magazine noted that "Unlike much of the Cure's output between the mid-1990s and 2008, Songs of a Lost World is textured and well-balanced, achieving a cinematic wall of sound worthy of comparison to 1989's Disintegration." Read full review
Beats Per Minute praised the album as "the most exquisitely produced Cure record," highlighting how "layered instrumentation, vocal inflections and breaths are hidden deep within the mix with something new grabbing your attention on every listen." Read full review
"'A towering, glacially-paced exorcism that simultaneously offers catharsis and makes the weight of the world feel even more overwhelming' is how Consequence characterized Songs of a Lost World." Read full review
Other awards in this field
Rock + Metal + Alternative Music
Other awards in this field
Rock + Metal + Alternative Music
Other awards in this field
Rock + Metal + Alternative Music
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