Fontaines DC, CMAT, Sam Fender, Wolf Alice and more shortlisted for the 2025 Mercury Prize

The wait is over! The 2025 Mercury Prize shortlist has been revealed, and it’s quite the list. Longtime DIY favourites Fontaines DC, CMAT, Wolf Alice and Sam Fender are all amongst the artists who appear on this year’s Album of the Year list.

The twelve albums shortlisted for this year’s edition of the Mercury Prize were announced this morning (Wednesday 10th September) at a launch event in London, and live on BBC Radio 6 Music.

Other acts shortlisted this year include FKA twigs for her stunning album ‘EUSEXUA’, Jacob Alon for their gorgeous debut ‘In Limerence’, and indie legends Pulp, who made their return this year with the aptly-titled ‘More’.

Check out the full shortlist, and revisit our reviews of the album, below.

CMAT - ‘EURO-COUNTRY’
Emma-Jean Thackray - ‘Weirdo’
FKA twigs - ‘EUSEXUA’
Fontaines DC - ‘Romance’
Jacob Alon - ‘In Limerence’
Joe Webb - ‘Hamstrings & 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’

This year’s shortlisted albums were decided by a panel of judges that includes of 6 Music & Radio 2 Head Jeff Smith, musician and broadcaster Jamie Cullum, presenter Jamz Supernova, DJ Sian Eleri, writer Sophie Williams, and more. 

What’s more, the prestigious Mercury Prize will be heading up to Newcastle for its 2025 edition - the first time in the Prize’s history that the award ceremony has been hosted outside London. Beloved radio DJ and North East native Lauren Laverne, meanwhile, will be hosting the event, which is set to take place on Thursday 16th October at the city’s Utilita Arena. 

In a long-overdue move to shine a light on music scenes and communities beyond the capital, the Mercury Prize 2025 has also partnered with music development agency Generator to present the Mercury Prize Newcastle Fringe: a programme of special events running across the North East from 9th to 15th October, including live gigs, workshops, roundtables, and an industry conference. For more info on the Mercury Prize Newcastle Fringe programme, head to their website.