FEATURE:
Prime a Dozen
IN THIS PHOTO: Scottish artist Jacob Alon is shortlisted for the 2025 Mercury Prize for their debut album, In Limerence/PHOTO CREDIT: Garry Jones for The Line of Best Fit
In Reaction to This Year’s Mercury Prize Shortlist
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EVERY year…
IN THIS PHOTO: FKA twigs is one of the dozen shortlisted artists for her hugely acclaimed album, EUSEXUA/PHOTO CREDIT: Jordan Hemingway
produces some surprises when it comes to the Mercury Prize. Taking place on 16th October at the Utilita Arena, Newcastle; this is the first time the Mercury Prize is taken out of London. It is a positive sign for a ceremony that is often seen as London-centric. Over the past ten or so ceremonies, I think the award has only gone to artists based or born outside of London once. That was last year with English Teacher for This Could Be Texas. Hailing from Leeds and Lancashire, it was a long overdue move from the capital. Now that the Mercury Prize has a new home in Newcastle, it is giving focus to a part of the country underrepresented in terms of winners and shortlisted artists. Sam Fender is one of a dozen artists on this year’s Mercury shortlist. He was born in South Shields (which is close to Newcastle). I will come to a feature from The Guardian and their take, before I provide mine. Only a dozen albums can be shortlisted, so there are always some omissions. I was convinced Lambrini Girls (Phoebe Lunny and Selin Macieira-Boşgelmez) would make it for their mesmeric debut album, Who Let the Dogs Out? Maybe too Self Esteem (A Complicated Woman), Billie Marten (Dog Eared) and Nova Twins (Parasites & Butterflies) would be included, I thought. Lambrini Girls are a great new act that should have made the cut, in a year where newcomers and rising artists are in very short supply. Service Station at the End of the Universe by Antony Szmierek is another debut that I feel is worth of shortlisting. I think we can also dispel the narrative that every year the Mercury Prize includes an ‘out there’ or ‘niche’ artist just to be different. Sure, mainly Pop, Rock and Alternative has won the award before. R&B and genres that are more commonly discussed and played. You always get a Jazz or Electronic artist that is seen as an also-ran and there to make up the numbers. When the Jazz quintet Ezra Collective won in 2023 for Where I'm Meant to Be, that was a first. This year’s shortlist includes Emma-Jean Thackray. Her album, Weirdo, is nominated. She is a phenomenal Jazz artist, though limiting her to one genre seems misrepresentative.
IN THIS PHOTO: Martin Carthy (who is nominated for Transform Me Then Into a Fish) at the Mercury Prize Shortlist event
In terms of takeaways from this year’s dozen, there are some steps forward - and some back. Two Irish artists, CMAT and Fontaines D.C., are in the running. Ireland is traditionally under-represented and awarded, and it may be the case that the former artist wins for her hugely acclaimed new album, EURO-COUNTRY. She is my tip. Artists outside of London, whilst in the minority, are a strong showing. From Sam Fender and Pulp from the North to Welsh Jazz pianist Joe Webb, there is more of a spread than some previous years. In terms of age, eighty-four-year-old Martin Carthy is the oldest shortlisted artist. Wolf Alice are back on the shortlist after they won the 2018 Mercury Prize for Visions of a Life. In terms of the new, I guess there is not a lot of choice. Jacob Alon is nominated for their debut album, In Limerence. They are an incredible artist and 2025 has been a huge year for them. Alon has gone from this relatively unknown artist to someone being spoken about in the highest terms. Hailing from Dunfermline, this is an important nomination for a Scottish artist. Again, making sure the awards do not remain with London artist is important…so it is great that Sam Fender, Jacob Alon, CMAT, Pulp and Fontaines D.C. are among the favourites; who were born/based outside of the capital. Previous years have seen some unusual choices and albums that are included maybe to appeal to certain labels/radio stations/demographics. Some mainstream Pop from huge artists that was a slightly odd selection. Nothing like that this year. Whilst some might feel that Pulp could have made way for a new band like Lambrini Girls, it goes to show that the Mercury Prize is a broad church and not exclusive to either young and upcoming artist or the established. It is nice when newer artists win and can use that platform and prize money to further their career, though it is judged on merit and, without doubt. Pulp’s More is among the best albums of the past year.
I shall continue in a minute. However, there has been reaction to the shortlist. Announced this morning on Lauren Laverne’s BBC Radio 6 Music show, she spoke to nominees like Emma-Jean Thackray and Jacob Alon. It is exciting writing about the shortlist and picking our favourites. I shall keep my powder dry until the very end (though I have shown love and leaning for CMAT!), but, in terms of progression, representation and taking a leap forward, my heart says that Jacob Alon or Emma-Jean Thackray should win. However, as it is so unpredictable, you can never be sure of safe! In terms of gender, women are in the minority this year. There are four female artists nominated (Emma-Jean Thackray, FKA twigs, CMAT and PinkPantheress). There is the female-led Wolf Alice, six male artists/male-fronted or heavy bands (Fontaines D.C., Pulp, Sam Fender, Joe Webb, Pa Salieu and Martin Carthy) a and one non-binary artist (Jacob Alon). In terms of newcomers or newer acts, Jacob Alon and Joe Webb. A lack of new bands appearing on the Mercury shortlist is quite concerning. However, there is such an eclectic and strong mix for this year. This is what The Guardian noted:
“CMAT, Pulp and PinkPantheress among Mercury prize shortlist light on new names
Only two debut albums – including the ‘token’ jazz release – feature among this year’s list of nominations for the coveted UK and Irish music prize
A raft of familiar names fill this year’s list of Mercury prize nominations, with only two debuts among the 12 shortlisted albums. In Limerence, the first full-length by the Scottish folk songwriter Jacob Alon, and Hamstrings and Hurricanes, the first by Welsh jazz musician Joe Webb, will compete with the likes of Pulp’s comeback album More, folk godfather Martin Carthy’s Transform Me Then Into a Fish and the album with the UK’s biggest opening week of the year so far, People Watching by Sam Fender.
The list is split 50/50 between male and female or mixed acts. The solo female artists on the list tend to the iconoclastic: Irish pop star CMAT’s acclaimed third album Euro-Country, Leeds jazz musician Emma-Jean Thackray’s Weirdo, FKA twigs’ Eusexua and PinkPantheress’s mixtape Fancy That. As for bands, as well as Pulp, the Irish band Fontaines DC (Romance) and London four-piece Wolf Alice (The Clearing) appear.
There is just one rap album on the list, Afrikan Alien by Pa Salieu. As ever, the Mercury seems unafraid of its reputation for nominating just one “token” jazz album, in Webb’s Hamstrings and Hurricanes. Metal, as usual, does not feature.
Dr Jo Twist, CEO of the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), the body behind the awards, told the Guardian that she was delighted by the breadth of albums nominated. “It’s a real celebration of such an eclectic mix of achievements across all kinds of genres, and it’s been a really competitive year.”
There are several repeat nominations: CMAT was previously recognised for her second album, 2023’s Crazymad, for Me; FKA twigs for her 2014 debut LP1; Fontaines DC for their 2019 debut Dogrel; Sam Fender for his second album, 2021’s Seventeen Going Under.
Both Wolf Alice and Pulp have three prior nominations and one win apiece under their respective belts: Pulp were nominated for 1994’s His ’n’ Hers (controversially losing to M People), won in 1996 for Different Class, and were nominated again in 1998 for This Is Hardcore. Wolf Alice were nominated for their 2015 debut My Love Is Cool, won in 2018 for Visions of a Life, and were nominated again in 2021 for Blue Weekend. They are now four-time nominees, only bested by Radiohead and Arctic Monkeys, with five apiece”.
I did think that Sam Fender would be included, though I think that the frontrunners and favourites will be CMAT, Fontaines D.C. and Wolf Alice. I think Pulp are less likely to win, though their nomination is very well deserved. Whilst we would love to see a Jazz artist win for the second time in three years, I have a feeling that judges might go more conventional. That sounds insulting but, even though Jazz is not outsider or ‘token’, I am not sure history will repeat itself so soon. FKA twigs is exceptional and one of our best artists. Pa Salieu is incredible and worthy. PinkPantheress a hugely talented voice. Jacob Alon seems like the artist that the heart roots for whilst the brain or bones go for, say, CMAT or Fontaines D.C. I would love to see the award go to an Irish artist, as that is a rarity. CMAT and Fontaines D.C. both passionately regarded and exceptional. The dozen shortlisted albums are prime and phenomenal:
“CMAT – EURO-COUNTRY
Emma-Jean Thackray – Weirdo
FKA twigs – EUSEXUA
Fontaines D.C. – Romance
Jacob Alon – In Limerence
Joe Webb – Hamstrings and Hurricanes
Martin Carthy – Transform Me Then Into a Fish
Pa Salieu – Afrikan Alien
PinkPantheress – Fancy That
Pulp – More
Sam Fender – People Watching
Wolf Alice – The Clearing”
In terms of progress, a non-binary artist on the shortlist is hugely positive. Jacob Alon is a raw talent with years ahead of them. It would have been nice to see women in the majority, though there are legends and older artists sitting with younger artists. Not many debut albums or newer artists is a step back. Rock and Alternative is very much in the mix and in with a great shout. Sam Fender and Fontaines D.C. are among my favourites. The Mercury Prize has always been broad and all-inclusive, though some years have seen certain genres side-lined or seen as tokenistic. That is no longer true. More integrated and united, there is a wonderful music palette in the dozen shortlisted albums. One could say, in terms of L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ representation, it is not that great. Nodding to Black and Asian artists. Is it as diverse and all-inclusive as it could be?! I think there is a pretty good balance. The shortlist neither overly panders or excludes. There are no inclusions that are politically motivated or cynical. Every artist has released a stunning album that deserves the award. The lack of fresh faces does call into question whether the Mercury Prize learned anything from English Teacher winning last year for This Could Be Texas. I hope that the 2026 shortlist redresses this, as the prize should be about including rising and debut-album artists alongside those more established. Lest it be elitist or inaccessible! With live performances and a new home, it is a good sign. Fresh starts and evolution. Lauren Laverne hosting. Twelve wonderful albums in contention. Will CMAT steal the show or will Jacob Alon take the prize? Can favourites Pulp and Wolf Alice overcome newer artists like Pa Salieu and Joe Webb? Will it be FKA twigs’ night or will Sam Fender win? He was born in South Shields, which is a very short distance from where the Mercury Prize has been relocated to. A local win would be amazing. Impossible to call but always fascinating, we will see who walks away with the coveted Mercury Prize…
IN Newcastle in October.