The excitement is palpable as the nominees for the 2025 Choice Music Prize have been revealed, featuring CMAT and Amble in the running for the coveted title of Irish Album of the Year.
This year’s esteemed shortlist also includes the talented Ronan Kealy, better known as Junior Brother, the energetic garage punk band Sprints, and the innovative experimental rock group Just Mustard from Dundalk.
The announcement was made during the Tracy Clifford Show on RTÉ 2FM this past Monday, setting the stage for what promises to be an engaging competition.
CMAT, who won the award for Best Album in 2022, is back in the race with her popular album "Euro-Country." Her previous win has raised expectations, and many are eager to see if she can replicate that triumph once again.
In 2024, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the prestigious €10,000 award, Fontaines DC took home the prize for their album "Romance," highlighting the event's significance within the music community.
David Reid, one of the co-founders of the Choice Prize, expressed his awe at the "breadth and diversity of Irish music right now," noting the remarkable international success of previous winners like Fontaines DC and CMAT.
Here’s the complete list of nominees for the Choice Music Prize Irish Album of the Year 2025:
- Amble – Reverie
- Bricknasty – Black’s Law
- Joshua Burnside – Teeth of Time
- CMAT – Euro-Country
- Dove Ellis – Blizzard
- Junior Brother – The End
- Just Mustard – We Were Just Here
- pôt-pot – Warsaw 480km
- Maria Somerville – Luster
- Sprints – All That Is Over
The winner will be announced live from Vicar Street during a special show on RTÉ 2FM on March 5th, hosted by Beta Da Silva, with the victorious artist receiving not only the €10,000 prize funded by the Irish Music Rights Organisation and the Irish Recorded Music Association but also a beautifully crafted award.
The selection process involves a panel comprising 11 music media professionals and industry experts, who will deliberate and choose the winning act from the shortlist of 10 albums.
Moreover, additional categories will be unveiled later this week. For instance, the Irish Artist of the Year will be revealed on Tuesday, the Irish Breakthrough Artist on Wednesday, the Classic Irish Album on Thursday, and the Irish Song of the Year will conclude the announcements on Friday.
Both the Irish Artist of the Year and the Breakthrough Artist will also be celebrated during the ceremony at Vicar Street on March 5th. However, the awards for the Classic Irish Album and the Irish Song of the Year will be disclosed prior to the live event, with the latter being announced during daytime programming on 2FM on the same day.
What do you think about the nominations this year? Are there any artists you believe deserve a spot on the shortlist but didn’t make it? Join the conversation and let your voice be heard!
