With the shortlist for the Mercury Prize set to be revealed next week at a later date than usual, speculation now turns to who’ll make the final cut – including some acclaimed records released more recently.
The shortlist for the Mercury Prize is usually revealed in mid-to-late July, celebrating the best albums released by British and Irish artists over the last 12 months.
However, this year the 12 albums shall be shared at a ceremony in London on the morning on Wednesday September 10.
As a result, this year’s period of eligibility for albums is over a month longer, with the records needing to have been released between Saturday July 13, 2024, and Friday August 29, 2025.
Acclaimed albums released at the start of this period include Soft Play‘s ‘Heavy Jelly’, Beabadoobee‘s ‘This Is How Tomorrow Moves‘, Hamish Hawk‘s ‘A Firmer Hand’ and ‘Romance‘ by Fontaines D.C.. Releases in the last month that could be likely to make an appearance on the shortlist but would normally have otherwise appeared the following year include ‘Euro-Country‘ by CMAT, ‘The Clearing‘ by Wolf Alice, and For Those I Love‘s ‘Carving The Stone‘.
Other eligible British and Irish albums that could make the cut include The Cure‘s ‘Songs Of A Lost World‘, ‘Eusexua‘ by FKA Twigs, ‘Lotus’ by Little Simz, ‘Hopefully!’ by Loyle Carner, ‘People Watching‘ by Sam Fender, ‘Who Let The Dogs Out‘ by Lambrini Girls, ‘More‘ by Pulp, ‘Moisturizer‘ by Wet Leg, and Kae Tempest‘s 2025 self titled LP.
Submissions for the Mercury Prize needed to have been received by June 25.
Last year’s Mercury Prize was held at London’s iconic Abbey Road Studios and saw English Teacher snag the prestigious trophy for their universally-acclaimed debut album ‘This Could Be Texas’ – beating off competition from Charli XCX, CMAT, Ghetts, The Last Dinner Party, Corinne Bailey Rae, Beth Gibbons, Barry Can’t Swim and more.
The final of the Mercury Prize this year will be moving from its traditional home in London to a grand ceremony in Newcastle. This comes as part of a new partnership with Newcastle City Council and the North East Combined Authority with the award show held on October 16 at the city’s Utilita Arena after a week-long regional fringe programme to “celebrate the depth and diversity of talent in the north and create opportunities for local talent”.
Not only that, but the next BRIT Awards will also be leaving London for the first time – heading to Manchester for 2026 and 2027.