Mercury Prize 2025: Every Nominee, Ranked
This year’s Mercury Prize highlights the diversity and ambition of British and Irish music. Here’s how every 2025 nominee stacks up for me — from the true standouts to those that could’ve been better.
#12 Martin Carthy – Transform Me Then Into a Fish
5.8/10
This record feels like a warm fireside chat with your grandfather — cozy and charming — until the stories start to drag on a bit too long. Transform Me Then Into a Fish is pure British folk, rich in spirit and history, but also a bit tiring. There’s beauty in its simplicity, yet it becomes a demanding listen — more of a challenge than a musical experience.
#11 Afrikan Alien by Pa Salieu
6.5/10
With afrobeats influencing almost every corner of modern music, fresh voices like Pa Salieu’s feel more essential than ever. Afrikan Alien captures that fusion of UK hip-hop and African rhythm with confidence, tackling themes of displacement, identity, and belonging that feel deeply relevant today. Yet despite its intent and sleek production, the record doesn’t always hold focus — ideas appear and fade too quickly. It might not always hit the mark, but Pa’s presence and honesty make it worth hearing.
#10 Hamstrings & Hurricanes by Joe Webb
6.5/10
It’s great to see a record like Hamstrings & Hurricanes among this year’s nominees — a reminder that virtuosic jazz still has its place. Joe Webb’s piano work is elegant and skillful, and the album’s old-school charm feels like stepping into a smoky late-night bar. Yet, for all its technical grace, the music often plays it too safe. The compositions could use more variety and that spark of real spontaneity. A refined and pleasant listen, but not one that truly surprises.
#9 Weirdo by Emma-Jean Thackray
6.6/10
Emma-Jean Thackray’s Weirdo is an easy and pleasant neo-soul album — smooth, funky, and full of charm. It blends jazz and soul with a light, playful energy that feels natural and warm. The songs flow nicely, carried by her signature brass and loose grooves. Still, the record tends to drift and drag in places, with some ideas feeling half-finished and a some tracks struggling to hold attention. It’s a chill listen overall, even if it doesn’t fully live up to its potential.
#8 In Limerence by Jacob Alon
7.0/10
In Limerence introduces Jacob Alon as a gentle, heartfelt folk singer-songwriter, showcasing his talents with care and intimacy. The album may lack variety, but its quiet charm and warmth make it a soothing, pleasant listen—evoking the mood and romance of a Luca Guadagnino film. With sincere vocals and understated arrangements, Alon crafts a debut that feels personal and inviting, even if it doesn’t push many boundaries.
#7 More by Pulp
7.0/10
After decades away, Pulp’s More doesn’t reinvent the wheel — but it doesn’t need to. The band’s unmistakable charm and Jarvis Cocker’s sardonic wit remain intact, even if the results feel uneven. Some moments shine with energy and clever lyrics, while others feel a bit flat or too familiar. Still, hearing Pulp together again feels good — nostalgic, funny, and very British. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a welcome and honest comeback.
#6 Fancy That by PinkPantheress
7.2/10
On her second mixtape, PinkPantheress leans into confidence and dancefloor energy, swapping bedroom-pop introspection for glittering hooks and playful production. Fancy That thrives on its clever sampling—from Underworld to Panic! At the Disco—woven seamlessly into her neon-soaked soundscapes. Tracks like “Tonight” and “Stateside” showcase her flair for euphoric pop moments, while songs such as “Stars” and “Nice to Know You” reveal a more melancholic, late-night edge. Despite its charm and experimentation, the mixtape occasionally feels uneven, but it’s a bold statement of her artistic evolution.
#5 The Clearing by Wolf Alice
8.0/10
With The Clearing, Wolf Alice return after four years with a record that shifts from glam-rock swagger to tender introspection. Tracks like “Bloom Baby Bloom” showcase Ellie Rowsell’s commanding presence, while softer moments such as “The Sofa” and “Play It Out” highlight the band’s newfound vulnerability. Under Greg Kurstin’s production, their sound feels more expansive and deliberate, pushing them beyond indie confines toward a stadium-ready identity. It’s not their boldest statement, but it reaffirms Wolf Alice’s versatility and evolution, proving once again why they remain one of the UK’s most vital rock bands.
#4 EUSEXUA by FKA Twigs
8.2/10
After six years, FKA Twigs returns with an album that reaffirms her as one of the most daring and visionary artists of our time. EUSEXUA blends vulnerability with bold experimentation, shifting between trip-hop, glitch-pop, trance, and alternative R&B with unpredictable twists. The production is constantly surprising, the lyrics dive deep into love, intimacy, and fragility, while Twigs’ vocals stretch into new, breathtaking territory. It’s a work that feels both intimate and transcendent, an uncompromising statement of her artistry.
#3 People Watching by Sam Fender
8.4/10
On his third album, Sam Fender proves he’s more than just a rising talent—he’s a songwriter of rare authenticity and heart. People Watching gathers deeply human stories, transforming personal struggles and everyday experiences into anthemic, universally relatable songs. The record balances introspection with hope, avoiding melodrama while embracing the messy nature of growth and adulthood. Musically consistent and emotionally resonant, with standouts like “People Watching,” “Chin Up,” and the moving closer “Remember My Name,” this album solidifies Fender’s place among the strongest voices of his generation.
#2 EURO-COUNTRY by CMAT
8.4/10
CMAT’s Euro-Country is a confident, charming, and uniquely personal album that effortlessly blends pop hooks with traditional country influences. The first half of the record delivers a near-perfect pop statement. Guided by her remarkable voice, sharp lyrics, and playful humor, CMAT crafts songs that feel both intimate and jubilant. Euro-Country is full of charisma, live energy, and that distinctive flair reminiscent of what Chappell Roan is bringing to the US, but here in Europe.
#1 Romance by Fontaines D.C.
9.0/10
With Romance, Fontaines D.C. take a bold step forward, swapping post-punk abrasiveness for something more melodic, accessible, and emotionally nuanced. The record feels like a journey—beginning in darker tones before gradually opening up into brighter, transformative moods. Their precise instrumentation and vivid lyricism elevate the album into a cohesive artistic statement. It’s both a milestone in their evolution and a promise of even greater things to come.
