GRAMMY Guide: Best Dance/Electronica Album Nominations & Prediction

 By Steve Siegel 

The GRAMMY for Best Dance/Electronica Album is one of the most recently established awards, first being handed out in 2005.  The award is intended for "groove-oriented recordings with electronic-based instrumentation." Past winners include Basement Jaxx, Daft Punk and The Chemical Brothers, so it's safe to argue that this award has a little more cred when it comes to dance music. Let's have a look at this year's nominees in the Best Dance/Electronica category:

Cut Copy "Zonoscope"
I’m telling you, there’s something in the water over there in Australia. Countless acts are redefining what it means to be an electronica band, from Empire of the Sun to Gypsy and the Cat to Cut Copy. "Zonoscope" is Cut Copy’s third album and was recorded during 2010 in Melbourne.  The LP delivered a number of successful singles, including “Where I’m Going” and “Take Me Over." The album was a huge critical success and a fan favorite, and this nomination is a crowning achievement for Australian electro.

Deadmau5 "4x4=12"
Already nominated for "Raise Your Weapon," Deadmau5 sneaks in for another nomination with his most recent release: "4x4=12."  Deadmau5’s fifth album spawned four singles, including "Sofia Needs A Ladder" and "Some Chords," which has the classic Deadmau5 synth sound we all know and love. The album sold over 60,000 copies in the U.S. and peaked at a respectable 47 on the Billboard 200.

David Guetta "Nothing But The Beat"
2011 truly was the year of David Guetta. Since first bursting onto the American scene a few years back with "When Love Takes Over," Guetta has emerged as the go-to hitmaker for pop artists seeking the dance sound and he has also become the long-haired face of dance music in the U.S.  "Nothing But The Beat" was an ambitious release, as the first CD contained tracks arranged for pop radio while the second disc was composed of tracks meant for midnight dancefloors. Guetta pulled of this difficult balancing act perfectly and now he is reaping the benefit with multiple Grammy nominations.

 Robyn "Body Talk Part 3" (Predicted to win)
Here again we have our third multiple category nominee with Robyn’s "Body Talk Part 3." "Body Talk Part 1" was released all the way back in 2010 but Robyn’s epic electro-pop trilogy was finally completed with this release. "Part 3" might have the strongest collection of songs of all the "Body Talk" releases. "Indestructible" is as raw as Robyn gets while "Time Machine" sees her reunited with her producer of "Show Me Love," Max Martin, to create another pop gem.  With such a competitive category, look for all the other albums to split the vote and ultimately for this dark horse pick to emerge the winner.

Skrillex "Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites"
The dynamic EP by Skrillex features many of the tracks that launched him onto the brink of the commercial mainstream, including "Rock N’ Roll (Will Take You to the Mountain)," the single of the same name, and my personal favorite "With You, Friends (Long Drive)." "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" was released through fellow nominee Deadmau5’s imprint Mau5trap and Atlantic Records' newest electronic label, Big Beat.  In a little more than a year, Skrillex has changed the dance music industry and this album has much to do with it.

Who do you think will win and/or should win? Leave a comment or let us know on Twitter.

About Steven Siegel
Post contributed by Steven Siegel, ArjanWrites.com's dance expert in-residence (and trusted camera man). Currently finishing up his senior year at Emory University in Atlanta, Siegel is a massive dance music fan and a budding DJ/producer who knows how to stir the party. You can listen to Steve's own productions on SoundCloud. Steve tweets at @steviesiegs.