Every year People’s choice for its sexiest man alive sets off a stream of debate, but for 2017 the magazine may have outdone itself. By picking country star and The Voice coach Blake Shelton in lieu of the typical beefcake, the editors went in an unexpected direction, but was it the right one? Within the pages of the issue are welcome additions like Armie Hammer, Kumail Nanjiani, and Kofi Siriboe, who strike the right balance between relevance and sex appeal, but Shelton’s cover is already proving polarizing. Admit it, unless you are Gwen Stefani or one of his many adoring fans, Shelton’s charms may not be that readily apparent. Even with his great voice and sense of humor, one might find herself yearning for the days when stars like Brad Pitt and George Clooney held the title.

Of course there is far more to sex appeal than physical traits and the ability to break box-office records. Intelligence, charm, and social awareness all play a part in who we find attractive, and this year there were plenty of interesting guys on the scene to choose from. You don’t have to be a Hemsworth brother or a famously stylish soccer icon to make the cut—at least on our list. Here, a look at 12 guys who we wouldn’t mind taking the title this year.

Chris Pine