The shortlist for the 2025 Mercury Prize has been revealed, with FKA twigs, CMAT and Sam Fender among the 12 albums nominated for Album of the Year. The list was unveiled at an event at The Langham Hotel in London and broadcast on BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds by Lauren Laverne.
The nominations include a mixture of established acts and newer artists, and several repeat nominees. FKA twigs receives a second Mercury nod for Eusexua, having last been nominated in 2014. Sam Fender is also nominated for the second time for People Watching after previously being shortlisted in 2022 for Seventeen Going Under. Britpop band Pulp secured a fourth nomination for More; they won the prize in 1996 for Different Class.
The full list of albums on the 2025 shortlist comprises CMAT’s EURO-COUNTRY, FKA twigs’ Eusexua, Sam Fender’s People Watching, Pulp’s More, Fontaines D.C.’s Romance, Pa Salieu’s Afrikan Alien, Martin Carthy’s Transform Me Then Into A Fish, Joe Webb’s Hamstrings and Hurricanes, Wolf Alice’s The Clearing, Jacob Alon’s In Limerence, PinkPantheress’ Fancy That, and Emma-Jean Thackray’s Weirdo. Fontaines D.C. and Wolf Alice are notable returning nominees, the latter having won the prize in 2018 with Visions of a Life.
For the first time in its history the Mercury Prize ceremony will take place outside London. The awards night is scheduled for Oct. 16 at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, and the city will host a Mercury Prize Newcastle Fringe from Oct. 9 to Oct. 15 celebrating local and national music. The 2024 ceremony was held at Abbey Road Studios, where English Teacher won for their debut album This Could Be Texas.
The Mercury Prize, formerly the Mercury Music Prize, is awarded annually to the best album released in the United Kingdom by a British or Irish act. The prize was established to highlight outstanding albums from both emerging and established artists and has recognised a wide range of performers since its inception, including Little Simz, Elbow, James Blake and Skepta.
Organisers did not announce a winner at the nominations event. The shortlisted artists will await the awards ceremony in October, when a winner for Album of the Year will be selected by the Mercury Prize judging panel. Remaining tickets for the ceremony are being offered through the venue’s box office and official website.