The 2025 Mercury Prize nominees feature a diverse mix of established artists and emerging talents, with the winner to be announced at a ceremony in Newcastle on October 16, marking the first time the event moves beyond London.

The shortlist includes notable acts such as Pulp, CMAT, Sam Fender, Fontaines D.C., Wolf Alice, FKA Twigs, PinkPantheress, Pa Salieu, Emma-Jean Thackray, Jacob Alon, Joe Webb, and Martin Carthy.

This year's nominations highlight a preference for experienced musicians, with only two debut albums making the list, emphasizing the judges' focus on established artists.

PinkPantheress's 'Fancy That' stands out as the shortest album ever nominated, offering a concise lo-fi pop experience that has achieved mainstream success, peaking at number three on the UK charts.

Emma-Jean Thackray's 'Weirdo' combines jazz, funk, and soul, transforming personal tragedy into joyful storytelling, and is considered a strong contender.

Wolf Alice's 'The Clearing' maintains their alternative rock signature while exploring more polished, emotionally resonant themes.

Sam Fender's 'People Watching' continues his prominence as a British singer-songwriter, blending rock with socially and personally reflective lyrics, and has sold over 213,901 units this year.

Fontaines D.C.'s 'Romance' marks a stylistic expansion from Dublin's post-punk scene, offering a more refined sound with lyrical depth.

Joe Webb's 'Hamstrings & Hurricanes' features inventive jazz compositions that bridge traditional jazz with contemporary elements.

FKA Twigs' 'EUSEXUA' is an experimental, ethereal journey inspired by transcendence and avant-garde production techniques.

The shortlist reflects a focus on genres like indie, pop, jazz, and experimental music, with notable absences of metal, hard rock, and classical genres.

Pa Salieu's 'Afrikan Alien' merges rap with pan-African influences, reflecting themes of identity, resilience, and cultural roots, and was written shortly after his 2022 prison release.

CMAT's 'Euro-Country' blends Irish pop with country, exploring societal themes and personal reflection, inspired by her previous Mercury Prize experience and a desire to experiment more intensely.