The Mercury Prize shortlist for 2025 has been revealed, with a notable inclusion which proves that you’re never too old to make incredible music.
Among the 12 British and Irish artists up for the coveted prize is Martin Carthy, an 84-year-old musician widely praised for his influence on folk music.
He’s said to have inspired the likes of Bob Dylan and Paul Simon; meanwhile, his daughter Eliza Carthy has been nominated for the Mercury Prize twice before.
Martin’s latest album, Transform Me Then Into a Fish, comes a full decade after his last original release, with many fans believing he had retired.
The folk musician isn’t the only comeback album on the list as Pulp’s More made the cut, marking their first release in 2024 years.
After 2024’s prize went to English Teacher for their debut studio album, This Could Be Texas, could this year’s look to the other end of the spectrum and champion longevity in the industry?
There are some big names on the shortlist, with Sam Fender’s People Watching an obvious choice after its huge popularity — and Newcastle ties.
Sam’s hometown is set to host the awards ceremony at the Utilita Arena this October, marking the first time the prize has left London in its over 30 year history.
Elsewhere on the list, previous winners Wolf Alice are in the running with The Clearing while the incredibly popular Eusexua from FKA Twigs also gets a nod.
Mercury Prize nominees 2025
- Sam Fender – People Watching
- FKA Twigs – Eusexua
- Wolf Alice – The Clearing
- Martin Carthy – Transform Me Then Into a Fish
- CMAT – Euro-Country
- Joe Webb – Hamstrings & Hurricanes
- Pulp – More
- PinkPantheress – Fancy That
- Jacob Alon – In Limerence
- Pa Salieu – Afrikan Alien
- Emma-Jean Thackray – Weirdo
- Fontaines D.C. – Romance
Eusexua’s (worthy) inclusion does mean that North West, daughter of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, is now featured on a Mercury Prize-nominated album. Do with that information what you will.
There is a strong Irish presence on this year’s shortlist, with CMAT and Fontaines D.C. both included for Euro-Country and Romance, respectively.
CMAT’s third album is a frontrunner for the win, according to many, having gained mainstream success with the hit song Take A Sexy Picture of Me.
This is the ‘best thing’ the singer feels she has ever made, diving into loss, isolation and community under the crush of capitalism, particularly the impact on Ireland.
Euro-Country, which features use of the Irish language, is a contrast to Romance, which frontman Grian Chatten dubbed their ‘least Irish’ album.
For CMAT, this is her second Mercury nod in a row while Fontaines D.C. were nominated in 2019 for Dogrel but lost out to Dave’s Psychodrama.
There’s plenty of first time nominations on the list, including nonbinary singer Jacob Alon as In Limerence is their debut album.
Released in May, it proved a strong first outing for the Scottish singer whose lyrics paint a folksy fairytale cut with modern dangers and indulgences.
Other first-time nominees include Joe Webb for Hamstrings & Hurricanes, Pa Salieu’s Afrikan Alien and Emma-Jean Thackray’s Weirdo.
This is the second mixtape from Pa, who blends afrobeats and grime, and having been released in November 2024, it only just fits into the Mercury eligibility.
Additionally, a mixtape has to meet certain criteria to be considered; it must qualify as a full-length album and be available to purchase or stream on at least two major platforms.
Mixtapes are becoming more common in the prize shortlists, with Afrikan Alien joining Fancy That from the internet’s darling PinkPantheress wrapping the nomination list.
Fancy That was PinkPantheress’ highest charting release so far, peaking at three on the UK albums chart, and skyrocketed the star into the mainstream.
With such a variety of genres and artists represented, the judges for this year’s prize— which includes Jamie Cullum and Jamz Supernova — have a tough decision on their hands.
Previous winners include English Teacher, Little Simz, Skepta, Arctic Monkeys and Franz Ferdinand.
The Mercury Prize winner will be announced on October 16, with the ceremony taking place in Newcastle’s Utilita Arena.
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