Jacob Alon wins the 2026 BRITs Critics’ Choice Award

Ethereal folk favourite and DIY Class of 2025 alum Jacob Alon has been announced as the winner of the 2026 Critics’ Choice Award! The Scottish singer-songwriter - who released their gorgeous debut ‘In Limerence’ last year - is officially the first winner to be announced of the BRIT Awards 2026.

Jacob was one of three artists shortlisted for its 2026 Critics’ Choice Award - previously called the Rising Star Award - alongside club-pop prodigy Rose Gray (who released her party-starting first full-length, ‘Louder, Please’, earlier this year); and evocative storyteller Sienna Spiro (who’s recently scooped her first UK Top 10 with latest single ‘Die On This Hill’).

Speaking of their win, Jacob has said: “Taing mhòr to the critics for recognising my work for this award, you absolute dotes! In the wee town where I grew up in Scotland, it often felt like there was a limit to how high you could dare to dream. So being part of something like this makes me feel like I’m floating far above the sky.

In a world full of broken and rusted jaggy edges, I’m grateful to find a place for softness still. And I will keep fighting for it. I really care about and believe in this music, and it makes my world brighter every time it reaches someone else. Hopefully this means some more beautiful people might find something in my album. Thank you to anyone who has ever listened.”

They join a glittering cast of previous winners, among whom have been former winners The Last Dinner Party, Griff, Jorja Smith, Sam Fender, Florence + The Machine, Adele, and Celeste. Introduced in 2008, the Critics’ Choice Award is voted for by a panel of experts from across the music industry, with the intention of highlighting artists on the path to stardom. 

The 2026 BRIT Awards will take place on Saturday 28th February in Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena - the first time the event has ever been held outside London, with a very special BRITs Fringe programme taking place in the lead up to the event. Find out more about the BRITs Fringe now.