AROOJ AFTAB

Brooklyn-based Pakistani composer Aftab has been earning acclaim for her soulful, jazz-influenced songs since 2015, when she independently released her debut album, Bird Under Water. Since then, she has signed with New Amsterdam Records, which released her third and most accomplished album to date, Vulture Prince, in April. Dedicated to the memory of her younger brother, Maher, Aftab’s latest project uses minimalism in its messaging of grief and acceptance, particularly on haunting, seven-minute centerpiece “Mohabbat.” In addition to the best new artist nod, “Mohabbat” — originally written by Hafeez Hoshiarpuri and turned into a gorgeous, finger-plucked meditation by Aftab — is nominated for best global music performance. Aftab spent much of the past year touring the globe and has scheduled a handful of 2022 shows.