Harry Styles captured the prestigious Album of the Year Grammy in 2023 with his _Harry’s House_ album, a significant achievement against competitors like Beyoncé, Adele, and Bad Bunny. Now, his new release _Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally_ has debuted strongly, hitting number one on the Billboard 200 with the lead single “Aperture” also topping the Billboard Hot 100. Despite this commercial success, the new album has not matched the critical acclaim or cultural dominance of its predecessor, making another Album of the Year nomination less certain.

Historically, artists who have won Album of the Year have often found it challenging to return to the same category with their next album. Since 2000, only about 30% of winners managed to get a follow-up nomination, with notable examples like Taylor Swift, Mumford & Sons, and Kacey Musgraves not immediately returning. This pattern underscored how tough it has been for past winners to maintain that peak recognition from the Recording Academy when following up a major Grammy triumph.

However, the landscape has shifted in recent years alongside the expansion of the Album of the Year category from five to eight nominees, allowing a broader field. Since 2019, four out of five winners whose follow-up albums are eligible have secured another nomination. Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Jon Batiste, and Taylor Swift again with a companion album, all benefited from this “incumbent advantage.” This trend suggests that once an artist gains Grammy voters’ favor, they are increasingly likely to be welcomed back to the nominee list with subsequent releases.

For Harry Styles, this evolving Grammy dynamic could greatly benefit him as he campaigns for recognition with _Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally_. While the new album is less overwhelming than _Harry’s House_, Styles already has a strong Grammy relationship and multiple nominations behind him. Given the recent trend toward repeated nominations for past Album of the Year winners, it’s plausible that Styles could follow Billie Eilish’s lead and secure another major nomination when the 2026 Grammy nominees are announced in November.