SAY Award Longlist announced including Jacob Alon, Kathryn Joseph, Mogwai and more
The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, Scotland's national music prize, has today revealed the 20 outstanding albums on 2025's Longlist.
Article Source: SAY Award
Last Updated: 25 September 2025 14:54
Image: Grant Anderson
Spanning a range of genres, and featuring two previous SAY Award winning artists, one 2025 Mercury Prize nominee and 10 debut albums, The SAY Award Longlist for 2025 in alphabetical order is:
Andrew Wasylyk and Tommy Perman Ash Grey and the Gull Glides On
Be Charlotte Self Help and Fictional Doubts
Brooke Combe Dancing At The Edge Of The World
Cloth Pink Silence
Constant Follower The Smile You Send Out Returns To You
corto.alto 30/108
Faith Eliott dryas
Hamish Hawk A Firmer Hand
Jacob Alon In Limerence
Kai Reesu Kompromat vol.i
Kathryn Joseph WE WERE MADE PREY.
kitti Somethin' In The Water
Maranta Day Long Dream
Matt Carmichael Dancing with Embers
Mogwai The Bad Fire
Rebecca Vasmant Who We Are, Becoming
TAAHLIAH Gramarye
The Joy Hotel Ceremony
Walt Disco The Warping
Zoe Graham TENT
All 20 albums are now in the running for the £20,000 prize and coveted title of Scottish Album of the Year, with the winner set to be unveiled at this year’s Ceremony, taking place on Thursday 6th November at the new location of Dundee’s Caird Hall. Buy tickets for The SAY Award Ceremony now via www.sayaward.com. Plus, an outstanding line-up of Scottish talent will perform on the night including Brooke Combe, corto.alto, Dillon Barrie, rEDOLENT.
The SAY Award Longlist is a result of an extraordinary nationwide consultation amongst Scotland’s music and arts communities. 100 impartial ‘Nominators’, chosen from sectors including journalism, music retail and music venues across Scotland, nominate and rank their five favourite eligible albums in order of preference. The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) – who produce the award – assigns a score to each title in a Nominator’s Top 5, with the 20 highest scoring albums forming The SAY Award Longlist.
Whittled down from 401 eligible album submissions, this year’s Longlist showcases Scottish talent from across the country with artists from Glasgow, Fife, Edinburgh, Dundee and more. The Longlist features two former SAY Award winners, one 2025 Mercury Prize nominee and genres from indie pop to R&B/soul, folk, jazz, dance and more.
Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and Creative Director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) said: “What does it mean to be alive in Scotland right now? To get a sense of that, in all its idiosyncratic glory, take a deep dive into this year’s 20-strong SAY Award Longlist.
“In an industry increasingly driven by algorithms and metrics, each year the announcement of the Longlist reaffirms the intrinsic value of the album – artistic works that soundtrack our lives, tell our stories and shape both who we are and who we can become. Records let us enter an artist’s inner world, and through doing so, often reflect something back within ourselves – sometimes even things we never knew were there. To me, it’s that intimate dance and unique connection that gives them their magic.
“With 401 eligible submissions this year, today’s announcement is about celebrating the 20 outstanding Scottish albums that are now in the running for the coveted title of Scottish Album of the Year, as well as the £20,000 first prize. We implore you to listen to them, and through doing so, maybe you'll find something more than a few new favourites.
“On behalf of the SMIA, I’d like to say a massive congratulations to each of this year’s nominees. We look forward to celebrating them – and the strength and diversity of Scottish music – at The SAY Award Ceremony on Thursday 6 November at Dundee’s Caird Hall. I hope you can join us.”
Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland said: “This year’s SAY Award Longlist proves that the album will always triumph over an industry driven by AI and algorithms. These 20 works of art are where true musical creativity is to be found – beyond easy categories, across genres and genders. It is encouraging to see so many debut releases included here and to know that the album remains such a valid format for anyone making their first artistic statement in an ever-changing world. It’s also why The SAY Award, supported by the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland funding of the SMIA, continues to grab the attention of music-loving audiences and industry alike.”
Anna Day, Head of Libraries and Cultural Services at Leisure & Culture Dundee said: “This is a Longlist of real quality and marks another exciting milestone as we build momentum towards The Scottish Album of the Year Award Ceremony at Dundee’s iconic Caird Hall.
“We’re absolutely delighted that The SAY Award will call Dundee home for the next three years, thanks to a partnership with Leisure & Culture Dundee, V&A Dundee, Dundee City Council and UNESCO Dundee City of Design.
“Hosting Scotland’s most anticipated night in music is a real honour for the city. We can’t wait to welcome the nation’s finest artists, industry leaders and music fans to Caird Hall this November for one of the standout events in the country's cultural calendar.”
In a few weeks time,the Longlist will be whittled down to a Shortlist of 10 albums, one of which will be chosen by music fans via a 72-hour online public vote. The remaining nine albums will be chosen by The SAY Award judging panel, with the Shortlist announced on Thursday 16th October. Along with The SAY Award Shortlist Announcement, the five nominees for 2025’s Sound of Young Scotland Award will be exclusively revealed; all in the running to win a funding package worth up to £10,000 to support the creation of a debut album.
One of the most highly anticipated nights in Scotland’s musical calendar, music fans can buy tickets to attend The SAY Award Ceremony, joining an audience of artists, industry professionals, press and cultural tastemakers to celebrate outstanding Scottish music, with a series of special live performances on the night including: 2024 SAY Award winners rEDOLENT, 2024’s Sound of Young Scotland winner Dillon Barrie, Brooke Combe and corto.alto, both of whom are Longlisted for this year’s award. The SAY Award judging panel will reconvene to select 2024’s Scottish Album of the Year Award winner, exclusively announced at 2025’s ceremony, alongside this year’s Modern Scottish Classic and Sound of Young Scotland winners.
The SAY Award is a Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) production. The SAY Award 2025 is delivered in partnership with Creative Scotland, Leisure & Culture Dundee, V&A Dundee, Dundee City Council, UNESCO Dundee City of Design, Seabass Vinyl, PPL, HMV, FOPP, Help Musicians, the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative, Youth Music, 71 Brewing, Bon Accord, Apex Hotels, Malmaison and Music Declares Emergency. The project is part-funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Previous winners of The SAY Award include; redolent ‘dinny greet’ (2024), Young Fathers ‘Heavy Heavy’ (2023), Fergus McCreadie ‘Forest Floor’ (2022), Mogwai ‘As The Love Continues' (2021), Nova ‘Re-Up’ (2020), Auntie Flo ‘Radio Highlife’ (2019), Young Fathers ‘Cocoa Sugar’ (2018), Sacred Paws ‘Strike A Match’ (2017), Anna Meredith ‘Varmints’ (2016), Kathryn Joseph ‘Bones You Have Thrown Me And Blood I’ve Spilled’ (2015), Young Fathers ‘Tape Two’ (2014), RM Hubbert ‘Thirteen Lost & Found’ (2013) and the inaugural winner Bill Wells and Aidan Moffat ‘Everything’s Getting Older’ (2012).
Early-bird SAY Award Ceremony tickets on sale now via www.sayaward.com £28 + booking fee
Don’t miss The SAY Award 2025 news - follow the award on social media across Instagram @sayaward, Facebook @SAYaward , TikTok @thesayaward and X @SAYaward
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
SAY Award Longlist announced including Jacob Alon, Kathryn Joseph, Mogwai and more
The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, Scotland's national music prize, has today revealed the 20 outstanding albums on 2025's Longlist.
READ MORE
Beatson Cancer Charity and Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service join forces for Blood Cancer Awareness Month
For the first time, Beatson Cancer Charity has joined forces with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service to highlight the vital role blood donors play in the treatment of blood cancers.
READ MORE
75 Bars, 225 cocktails and top events taking over Glasgow tomorrow for biggest ever Glasgow Cocktail Fortnight
Glasgow's cocktail scene is about to go into overdrive as Glasgow Cocktail Fortnight, the city’s annual cocktail festival since 2018, kicks off tomorrow!
READ MORE
Glasgow restaurant wins place in Michelin Guide
Glasgow's underground bar and restaurant Sebb's has been added to the Michelin Guide less than a year after opening!
READ MORE
Cathkin Park celebrates historic victory
Iconic football ground is designated as a scheduled monument by Historic Environment Scotland.
READ MORE
Glasgow Christmas Parties & Activities 2025
With Christmas just around the corner, there's never been a better time to start thinking about your festive celebrations in Glasgow!
READ MORE
West End star Amber Davies to star as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde: The Musical
The King's Theatre are delighted to announce Amber Davies* as Elle Woods in the brand-new Made at Curve production of the West End and Broadway smash-hit musical comedy Legally Blonde: The Musical!
READ MORE
Step into 1870s Glasgow: Wax fruit costumes and events at Holmwood House
This weekend Holmwood House hosts a special programme of Victorian themed events to celebrate the re-release of Guy McCrone's Wax Fruit trilogy!
READ MORE
Young buskers to ROAR at Buchanan Galleries ahead of Katy Perry show
Buchanan Galleries is inviting local musicians to showcase their talent at its dedicated Busk Stop in the run-up to pop star Katy Perry's much-anticipated concert at the OVO Hydro!
READ MORE
Glasgow International Comedy Festival announces first acts for 2026 incl Daniel Sloss, Susie McCabe, Sue Perkins and more
Glasgow International Comedy Festival has unveiled the first acts for 2026's event, as Scotland's largest dedicated comedy festival is set to welcome some of the UK's best loved comics!
READ MORE
Casting announced for Friends! The Parody Musical
Producers of the 2025/26 UK and Ireland tour of FRIENDS! The Musical Parody are delighted to announce casting for the side-splitting musical comedy, which comes to Glasgow in November.
READ MORE
Aldi invites children in Glasgow to get creative for recycle week
To mark Recycle Week (22nd – 28th September), Aldi is calling on children in Glasgow to get creative by designing a poster to inspire people to recycle.
READ MORE
Sheridan Smith to star in Woman in Mind at the Theatre Royal Glasgow
A new production of Alan Ayckbourn's psychological comedy Woman in Mind, starring Sheridan Smith, is coming to the Theatre Royal Glasgow in March.
READ MORE
Glasgow family wins trip to fairytale destination thanks to Flamingo Summer Competition at Silverburn
A family's dreams have come true after winning the largest-ever prize win for the Silverburn's Flamingo Summer Competition - a travel voucher worth £2,000 courtesy of Barrhead Travel.
READ MORE
Halloween activities and haunted builds await this October at the LEGO store
This October LEGO Stores across the UK will be transformed into mini haunted playgrounds, offering free family-friendly experiences and exclusive Halloween goodies.
READ MORE
Join Dr Louise Newson for an intimate evening filled with honest conversations
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of learning and laughter as Dr Louise Newson, the leading medical doctor on menopause and hormones, comes to The Pavilion Theatre on October 5th.
READ MORE
Calling all runners... grab a FREE post race drink from Flight Club Glasgow
Flight Club is inviting Glasgow AJ Bell Great Scottish Run participants to celebrate their incredible effort with a complimentary drink on Sunday 5th October!
READ MORE
Flight Club is giving out hundreds of prizes on the streets of Glasgow in October
The team behind the home of Social Darts is embarking on a nationwide charity tour in celebration of its 10th birthday and dishing out treats to its fans along the way!
READ MORE
GlasGLOW adds extra week after 35,000 tickets snapped up in days
City's biggest Halloween show extended as nostalgia-fuelled 'Miles Better' theme takes Glasgow by storm, with new dates on sale on Wednesday 17th September at 7.30am!
READ MORE
Wedding venue Crossbasket Castle unveils exquisite new menu curated by Michelin starred chef Michel Roux
Scotland's premier five-star luxury wedding destination, Crossbasket Castle, has unveiled a new decadent wedding menu crafted exclusively by world-renowned Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux.
READ MORE
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduate joins full cast of Death on the Nile at the Theatre Royal
The full cast has been announced for Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile which comes to the Theatre Royal Glasgow in February.
READ MORE
Spooky season returns to town with the announcement of Paisley Halloween Festival 2025
Paisley Halloween Festival will return to town next month to celebrate the spooky season with a packed programme of frightful fun for all the family!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.
READ MORE
Matilda the Musical comes to Glasgow for the first time
The Royal Shakespeare Company's smash hit production of Matilda The Musical, based on Roald Dahl's beloved book, will come to Glasgow for the very first time in 2026!
READ MORE
Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025
Cineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!
READ MORE
A jewellery store in Glasgow Fort is doubling in size following investment
Family-owned national diamond, jewellery and watch retailer, Beaverbrooks, is doubling the size of its Glasgow Fort store with a £1.3m investment.
READ MORE
Forget a boring beige Christmas in Glasgow...
This festive season at SWG3, Bongo's Bingo is transporting everyone back to the time where coloured tree lights and flammable tinsel ruled supreme!
READ MORE
Final countdown to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2025 is on
Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.
READ MORE
Popular Sunday BBQ returns to Glasgow favourite Sebbs
One of Glasgow's favourites is flipping the idea of a traditional roast on its head with the return of its Sunday BBQ later this month.
READ MORE
Marstons and Tom Shepherd join forces once more to serve up the best ever pub pie
Marston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links