Fans react to Mercury Prize 2025 shortlist: “The only music award I pay any attention to now”

Earlier this month, it was confirmed that this year’s period of eligibility for albums is over a month longer, meaning the records needed to have been released between July 13 last year and August 29, 2025.

Following the announcement, many took to social media to share their thoughts on the shortlist. Leaving comments under the announcement post in praise of this year’s artists, most were convinced that either Fontaines D.C. or CMAT would win this year.

“The Mercury Prize is basically the only music award I pay any attention to now. No other award show has this interesting an array of nominees, both in size and sound,” wrote one X/Twitter user, with another on Instagram adding: “Best shortlist for years.”

However, some were more reluctant to praise the final list so highly and instead honed in on those who were overlooked.

“So happy for CMAT, FKA Twigs and PinkPantheress,” wrote one fan on Instagram. “But Self Esteem has been well and truly ROBBED.” Another added: “No [Geordie] Greep, BCNR or Jim Legxacy?? Makes no sense!!”

Welsh indie group Los Campesinos! pointed out that artists and labels have to submit an application with an admission fee to be considered for nomination, writing: “This understandably might discourage smaller artists! If the album/artist you love isn’t included it may be because they chose not to apply.”

not Self Esteem forgetting to wire the money over https://t.co/7EKzqRE97p

— Puds (@havingalaugh) September 10, 2025

Several fans were disappointed that records from Little Simz (‘Lotus’), Wet Leg (‘Moisturizer’) and The Cure (‘Songs Of A Lost World’) didn’t make the list.

“Guitar music is coming back baby ..but no The Cure…. Scandalous,” said one fan on Instagram. “Good to see CMAT on there,” another wrote. “No Geordie Greep though? The writing and composition on that record is something else.”

The omission of ‘The New Sound’ was a consistent gripe in the comments section, with one user writing: “No Geordie Greep?! No Laura Marling?! Mercury Prize you’ve lost your head brother.”

no bcnr, no blood orange, no geordie creep, no divorce, no little simz, no self esteem, no kae tempest, no nubya garcia. but yeah, let‘s pump the weakest wolf alice lp. and, what the f is pinkpantheress is doing here?

— Mr. (@hanslanda09) September 10, 2025

Right, Mercury Prize prediction time:

This is a surprising list, with Jamie XX, Geordie Greep, The Cure, Self Esteem and Little Simz missing out.

That said these nominees are super strong but I personally think it’s between FKA Twigs and CMAT, with Jacob Alon as the dark horse https://t.co/m0WpfI1WhE

— Torin Gillies (@gillies_torin) September 10, 2025

no laura marling or simz on the mercury prize list

— antonio (weyesbloodfan911) (@loudcitysong_) September 10, 2025

No Blood Orange or Jim Legaxcy is weird

— . (@sadb0ystranger) September 10, 2025

Last year’s Mercury Prize was held at London’s iconic Abbey Road Studios, and saw English Teacher take home the prestigious award for their universally-acclaimed debut LP, ‘This Could Be Texas’.

The former NME Cover stars were the first non-London act to bag the prize since Edinburgh’s Young Fathers won in 2014.

The Mercury Prize is moving from its traditional home in London to Newcastle this year. This comes as part of a new partnership with Newcastle City Council and the North East Combined Authority. The ceremony will follow a week-long regional fringe programme to “celebrate the depth and diversity of talent in the north and create opportunities for local talent”.