With the Grammy eligibility deadline coming on 8/31, the last major releases due to drop under the wire include a handful of potential nominees. Let’s take a look at the contenders.

Taylor Swift: Lover, which drops 8/23, will be Tay’s first release via Republic Records. As with every Taylor album of the past several years, we expect controversy to ensue. The megastar is getting some big—and even some not-so-big— TV looks, not to mention other high-profile media. Expect her to become ever more ubiquitous around release date.

Lana Del Rey: The Interscope singer/songwriter is getting attention for several new songs; these include “Looking for America,” a delicate but sobering reflection on the state of the nation, as well as covers of Donovan (for the new flick Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark) and Sublime. Lana has never been a Grammy favorite—she has four nominations and no wins—but this flurry of interesting music ahead of her 8/30 full-length could change the equation.

Tool: This Volcano/RCA rock troupe has forged its own often oblique path, and in doing so has cultivated and maintained a fanatically devoted fan base. With their first new album since 2006 due on 8/30 (and their catalog newly available on DSPs), they are very much in the spotlight. Could they earn some recognition beyond the expected rock spots?

Sheryl Crow: The pop/rock veteran has been a Grammy darling since her '90s arrival (nine wins, 32 noms), and her first project with Scott Borchetta’s BMLG is pure Grammy catnip—a collection of duets with legends like Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, Mavis Staples, Joe Walsh and (via recording magic) the late Johnny Cash, not to mention Stevie Nicks, Maren Morris, Chuck D, Gary Clark, Jr., St. Vincent and more. This plethora of guest star power presents multiple possibilities for “Grammy moments” on the show. This project will also be an early test of the powerful Borchetta-Scooter Braun alliance.

Midland: Another BMLG project (due 8/23), this fun-loving trio threads the needle between old-school honky-tonk country and soft-rock ear candy, with big hooks and harmonies. They took two noms for their smash “Drinkin’ Problem,” so they’re no longer eligible for Best New Artist, but with their success and considerable charm they are a wildcard for other top-tier categories.

So... halvah for dessert?