The shortlist for this year’s Mercury Prize has been announced! The award celebrates the best in UK and Irish music and the artists who make it.

Here’s how it works — Twelve 'Albums of the Year' are chosen across a range of genres before a final winner is announced on October 22. To be eligible for the prize this year, albums from British or Irish artists had to be released between August 30, 2025 and July 17, 2026.

Take a look at this year’s Mercury Prize Shortlist, and then let’s create a playlist full of songs off the Albums of The Year!

So for today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs from the Mercury Prize Shortlist would you like to hear?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played
Nia Archives – Get Me Down feat. Jorja Smith
Florence + the Machine – Everybody Scream
Dove Ellis – Pale Song
Knats – Carpet Doctor feat. Geordie Greep
RAYE – Where Is My Husband?
Dave – Raindance feat. Tems