This October, the 34th Mercury Prize will be awarded to a British or Irish artist. For the first time ever, the awards are being held outside of London; the ceremony will take place on Thursday 16th October, in Waxing Lyrical’s very own birthplace – Newcastle.
The Mercury Prize was created to celebrate the album format as an alternative to the BRITs, and champions both up-and-coming artists and veterans across all genres; recent winners include English Teacher, Ezra Collective and Little Simz.
The awards are a month later than usual, meaning the eligibility period is longer than it’s ever been. Albums released by British and Irish artists between July 13th, 2024 and Friday August 29th, 2025, are eligible for this year’s Mercury Prize.
The official shortlist of 12 albums drops next Wednesday, September 10th.
In the meantime, I’ve had a go at ‘predicting’ the shortlist myself – with extra emphasis on the quotation marks. Whilst I’ve tried to be as subjective as possible, there will undoubtedly be an element of bias in here towards my favourite releases, and I’m not quite sure whether or not these 12 picks have just ended up being my favourite eligible albums.
My initial list was 20+ albums long, so whittling this down was no easy task. In no particular order, here are my ‘predictions’ for the 12 Mercury Prize Nominees…
Loyle Carner – hopefully !
hopefully ! is Loyle Carner’s 4th studio album, and, if nominated, this would be his 3rd time shortlisted for the Prize (2017/2023). Arguably the biggest name in the modern UK hip-hop scene, Carner has demonstrated a whole new level to his music through the intimate and vulnerable hopefully !. It’s sentimental, honest and profound, and no doubt one of the best albums released in the past year.
FKA Twigs – Eusexua
Eusexua is perhaps the most artistically complete and expressive pieces of work on this list. FKA Twigs has created more than just a record with Eusexua; it’s a complete artistic world and all-encompassing experience. One of the best recent albums in the dance-pop genre, it instantly connected with both long standing and new fans alike.
Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching
Granted, I am a huge Ezra Collective fan, so this was always going to make my shortlist. I do think it’s justified, though; the jazz quintet have seen explosive success since their Mercury Prize win back in 2023, and their latest album is largely to thank. Their fusion of jazz, dance, and immaculate vibes has seen hits such as God Gave Me Feet For Dancing take over dance-floors and festival fields this summer. Ezra Collective are still on the rise, and surely a second nomination is due.
Sam Fender – People Watching
The long-awaited third album from Geordie hero Sam Fender landed in February, and it’s undoubtedly been one of indie’s most popular albums of the year. People Watching has solidified Fender’s status as an all-time songwriting great, and, with the Award heading to Newcastle for its first ever trip outside London, surely it’s only right that he is on the shortlist.
Jamie xx – In Waves
Jamie xx is another artist we’d been waiting a long time for a new album from, and it came in the form of In Waves – his first solo album in almost ten years. Jamie is no stranger to the Mercury Prize: his band, The xx, won the award in 2010 with their legendary indie-pop album xx; In Waves’ predecessor, In Colour, was nominated in 2015; and The xx were nominated again in 2017. The DJ and producer’s 2024 collection of club-inspired bangers would be a worthy nominee, as one of the best electronic records in the last year.
Fontaines D.C. – Romance
Fontaines D.C. are one of two Irish names on my Mercury Prize shortlist, and one of the biggest bands in the UK and Ireland at present. Romance has been huge. The group have propelled themselves to newfound heights as a festival headline ready and arena filling group. With a 2019 nomination already under their belt, they are surely deserving of a nomination this time around.
CMAT – EURO-COUNTRY
The most recent release on my list, and my second Irish artist: EURO-COUNTRY feels like it was a phenomenon even before it was released. CMAT has skyrocketed over the last year or so, and tracks like Take A Sexy Picture Of Me have already seen huge success and viral popularity. For an album that’s been out less than a week, it already feels monumental – which is why it’s made this list.
Kae Tempest – Self Titled
Kae Tempest’s latest release feels like everything the Mercury Prize is about. The London poet and performer’s release is his rawest and most honest work yet, resulting in an incredibly powerful and moving record. Self Titled marks a distinct evolution in sound and an important chapter of Tempest’s life, and striking lyricism over electric instrumentals creates a strong contender for 2025’s Mercury Prize.
Nubya Garcia – Odyssey
Nubya Garcia is a frontrunner in the modern UK/London jazz scene, and her latest release, Odyssey, is a rich and refined modern jazz record, oozing with the elegance and finesse we’ve come to expect from the tenor saxophonist. Having been nominated once before, in 2021 for Source, Garcia’s 2024 release is a well worthy nominee, and provides some much-needed jazz balance to this shortlist.
Little Simz – Lotus
Little Simz is another previous Mercury Prize Winner (2022) and two-time nominee (2019, 2022), and Lotus provides a fresh twist on her hip-hop style, with creativity in abundance. In the turmoil of self-doubt and the midst of a legal feud, Lotus emerges as self-assured and unapologetically brilliant.
Geordie Greep – The New Sound
Geordie Greep has so far seen most of his musical success with Black Midi, who split last year. The New Sound is his first work as a solo artist. It’s a unique frenzy of influences, sounds and genres, and is a sure statement of Greep’s intent to forge a powerful solo career. Having taken the alternative rock scene by storm since its release in October 2024, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it take a spot on the Mercury Prize shortlist.
Pulp – More
After 24 years, Pulp are back. More feels like Pulp have picked up exactly where they left of. Despite the decades which have passed since their heyday, (including a Mercury Prize win in 1996, and nominations in 1994, 1996 and 1998), it feels distinctively Pulp, and has enabled the group to remain relevant in the bustling music industry of 2025. Mercury Prize and British music legends, are they due a return?
Compiling this list gave me a real headache. There are so many albums which could’ve made my shortlist (and probably will make the real thing). Alongside the above 12 artists, the last year has seen brilliant new albums from the likes Wretch 32, KOKOROKO, Wolf Alice, Blossoms, Black Country New Road, Greentea Peng, Self Esteem… and so many more. As I say, picking 12 was no easy task.
The accuracy of my predictions aside, pondering over the albums released by British and Irish artists over the last year has really made me appreciate one thing; despite what some old fogeys would have you believe, music didn’t die in the 1990s. Some of the BEST music is being made right here, right now, and you don’t have to travel very far to find it. When it’s announced, take some time to appreciate the albums on the official shortlist. You’ll be impressed.
Waxing Lyrical 