# BrightFork #2: 2026 Grammys & Backfill

Source: https://brightonxu.com/posts/en/2026-02-06-brightfork-2/

Author: Brighton (Yi Xu)
Published: 2026-02-06

Been listening to so little lately

This issue has two parts: quick takes on the 2026 Grammys, plus backfill of niche albums.

## 🏆 2026 Grammy Review { .section-title }

### Record of the Year

**Kendrick Lamar — Luther** () · Score: 7

![Album cover](https://brightonxu.com/img/kendrick-luther.jpg)

**Luther** - streaming clout just wins, period.

~~Not expecting a return to TPAB or GKMC form, but GNX's production is clearly no match for Kendrick's previous so-so record Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, no? And Luther doesn't hit like Gloria from GNX, no? Whatever... after all, among the nominees there's a song that straight-up plagiarized without even putting on an act. Maybe this is just a down year for music.~~

### Album of the Year

**Bad Bunny — DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS** (2025) · Score: 8

Genre: Reggaeton

![Album cover](https://brightonxu.com/img/bad-bunny-dtmf.jpg)

Best track: DtMF

**DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS** - just got into it, not bad at all. The concept is great, and it genuinely reaches a certain empathy — maybe that's a Latin American gift. None of the other nominees' albums seem able to sit steady in this seat, so maybe it's a keep-everyone-happy pick.

🎵Debí tirar más fotos de cuando te tuve

I think a lot of humans can feel this line, in every sense of the word. Maybe I should have heard this song sooner.

### Song of the Year

**Billie Eilish — Wildflower** () · Score: 9.5

![Album cover](https://brightonxu.com/img/billie-wildflower.jpg)

**Wildflower** - I take back half of my harsh comments on the 2025 Grammys, but these make-up awards aren't all that convincing.

...so when does the '22 HTE award get backfilled...?

## Backfill: Last Time's Niche Near-9s { .section-title }

**Yes — Fly From Here** (2011) · Score: 8

Genre: Progressive Rock

![Album cover](https://brightonxu.com/img/yes-fly-from-here.jpg)

Best track: Into The Storm

**Fly From Here** - **Yes** will forever be upstaged by Close to the Edge, but this one is genuinely good — prog from the academic school.

**Camel — Moonmadness** (1976) · Score: 8

Genre: Progressive Rock

![Album cover](https://brightonxu.com/img/camel-moonmadness.jpg)

Best track: Air Born

**Moonmadness** - calm, faraway.

**The Strokes — The New Abnormal** (2020) · Score: 9

Genre: Indie Rock

![Album cover](https://brightonxu.com/img/strokes-new-abnormal.jpg)

Best track: Ode to the Mets

**The New Abnormal** - the songs of a very dark stretch for me; I may not be able to review it properly.

**Grover Washington Jr. — Winelight** (1980) · Score: 8.5

Genre: Jazz

![Album cover](https://brightonxu.com/img/winelight-grover-washington.jpg)

Best track: Just the Two of Us

**Winelight** - one listen and I turned into an old white man.

**The Avalanches — We Will Always Love You** (2020) · Score: 8.5

Genre: Electronic

![Album cover](https://brightonxu.com/img/avalanches-wwaly.jpg)

Best track: Take Care in Your Dreaming

**We Will Always Love You** - top-tier sampling and a real sense of the ethereal.

**Stay tuned for BrightFork！**