2025 Shortlist
Albums of the Year
EURO-COUNTRY
CMAT
Irish musician and singer CMAT released her third album ‘EURO-COUNTRY’ in August 2025 on AWAL Recordings. The album reached number 2 in the UK Album Charts. The singles include ‘Running/Planning’, ‘Take a Sexy Picture of Me’, ‘EURO-COUNTRY’ and ‘When a Good Man Cries’.
Weirdo
Emma-Jean Thackray
Weirdo’ is the second album by Leeds-born, multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and vocalist Emma-Jean Thackray. It was released in April 2025 on Brownswood Recordings-Parlophone Records. The singles include ‘Black Hole’, ‘Wanna Die’ and ‘Maybe Nowhere’.
EUSEXUA
FKA twigs
‘EUSEXUA’ is the third album from Cheltenham-born singer, songwriter, producer and dancer FKA twigs. Released in January 2025 on Young Recordings, the album reached Number 3 in the UK Album Charts. The singles include ‘Eusexua’, ‘Perfect Stranger’ and ‘Drums of Death’.
Romance
Fontaines D.C.
Dublin band Fontaines D.C. released their fourth album ‘Romance’ in August 2024 on XL Recordings. It reached Number 2 in the UK Album Charts. The album was produced by James Ford and the singles include ‘Starburster’, ‘Favourite’, ‘Here’s the Thing’ and ‘In the Modern World’.
In Limerence
Jacob Alon
‘In Limerence’ is the debut album from singer-songwriter Jacob Alon from Fife. The album was released in May 2025 on Island Records. It was produced by Dan Carey and the singles include ‘Fairy in a Bottle’, ‘Confession’, ‘Liquid Gold 25’ and ‘Don’t Fall Asleep’.
Hamstrings & Hurricanes
Joe Webb
‘Hamstrings & Hurricanes’ is the debut album from the Joe Webb band. Pianist and composer Joe Webb is from Neath, South Wales and the other members of the band are Will Sach (bass) and Sam Jesson (drums). The album was released in October 2024 on Edition Records.
Transform Me Then Into A Fish
Martin Carthy
‘Transform Me Then Into A Fish’ is the first solo album in twenty-one years from Robin Hood’s Bay-based musician Martin Carthy, one of Britain’s most influential folk musicians. The album was released in August 2025 on HemHem Records and produced by Ben Seal with Eliza Carthy.
Afrikan Alien
Pa Salieu
‘Afrikan Alien’ is the second album from Coventry-based rapper Pa Salieu. The album was recorded at Angelic Studios in Oxfordshire and released in November 2024 on Warner Records. The singles include ‘Belly’, ‘Round & Round’, ‘Dece (Heavy)’ and ‘Big Smile (Pose For Me)’.
Fancy That
PinkPantheress
‘Fancy That’ is the second album from Bath-born singer, songwriter and producer Vicky Beverley Walker aka PinkPantheress. The album was released in May 2025 on Warner Records and reached Number 3 in the UK Album Charts. The singles include ‘Tonight’, ‘Stateside’ and ‘Illegal’.
More
Pulp
Sheffield band Pulp released their eighth album ‘More’ in June 2025 on Rough Trade Records. It’s their first album in twenty-four years and it reached Number 1 in the UK Album Charts. The album was produced by James Ford and the singles include ‘Spike Island’ and ‘Got to Have Love’.
People Watching
Sam Fender
‘People Watching’ is the third album from North Shields singer-songwriter Sam Fender. The album was released in February 2025 on Polydor Records and reached Number 1 in the UK Album Charts. The singles include ‘People Watching’, ‘Wild Long Lie’, ‘Arm’s Length’, ‘Little Bit Closer’ and ‘Rein Me In’.
The Clearing
Wolf Alice
Wolf Alice released their fourth album ‘The Clearing’ in August 2025 on Columbia Records. The album was produced by Greg Kurstin and recorded in Los Angeles. It reached Number 1 in the UK Album Charts and includes the singles ‘Bloom Baby Bloom’, ‘The Sofa’ and ‘White Horses’.