The Independent Music Awards have announced their first wave of nominees, celebrating 15 years of recognising the UK’s independent music community. This milestone year sees a number of artists receiving multiple nominations, including South London jazz innovators Ezra Collective, electronic duo Fcukers, songwriter Hope Tala, and experimental artist anaiis.
Notable names on the shortlists also include Fontaines D.C. for their sophisticated album Romance, folk experimentalists Bon Iver, and Wet Leg for their acclaimed second album. Other artists up for awards include soul singer Maverick Sabre, future-ghetto-funk star Moonchild Sanelly, and Aluna, known for her era-defining club hits.
Returning to London’s Roundhouse, the Awards have a track record of spotlighting future stars before they achieve mainstream success. They honour a blend of cultural impact and commercial achievement, celebrating the creativity that defines the independent music sector. The full list of nominees across categories like ‘Best Independent Album’ and ‘Best Independent Track’ is outlined below.
The Awards also feature categories where the public can vote, including ‘Best Independent Record Store’ and ‘Best Live Performer.’ Nominations for other awards, such as ‘Best Independent Label’ and ‘Music Entrepreneur of the Year,’ will be announced in the coming weeks. The Independent Music Awards have a history of recognising talent early, with past winners including Adele, Little Simz, and Stormzy, all of whom went on to achieve widespread acclaim.
Best Independent Track
- anaiis, Grupo Cosmo – ‘B.P.E’ (5dB Records)
- Ezra Collective, Yazmin Lacey – ‘God Gave Me Feet For Dancing’ (Partisan Records)
- JIALING – ‘Freaky Horns’ (Clasico Records)
- Jim Legxacy – ‘father’ (XL Recordings)
- Jorja Smith, Maverick Sabre – ‘Loving You’ (FAMM)
- Miso Extra, Metronomy – ‘Good Kisses’ (Transgressive Records)
- Orla Gartland – ‘Mine’ (The Orchard)
- Wet Leg – ‘Catch These Fists’ (Domino Recording Co.)
- Wunderhorse – ‘The Rope’ (Communion Records)
- Yannis & The Yaw, Tony Allen – ‘Rain Can’t Reach Us’ (Transgressive Records)
Best Independent Album
- Bon Iver – Sable, Fable (Jagjaguwar)
- Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching (Partisan Records)
- Fontaines DC – Romance (XL Recordings)
- Hope Tala – Hope Handwritten (PMR Records)
- John Glacier – Like A Ribbon (Young)
- Maverick Sabre – Burn The Right Things Down (FAMM)
- Moonchild Sanelly – Full Moon (Transgressive Records)
- Nala Sinephro – Endlessness (Warp Records)
- Oklou – Choke Enough (Oklou / True Panther Records)
- TAAHLIA – Gramayre (untitled (recs))
UK Independent Breakthrough (in association with Amazon Music)
- corto.alto (Ninja Tune & New Soil)
- Fat Dog (Domino Recording Co.)
- Glass Beams (Ninja Tune)
- Hope Tala (Big Family Music & PMR Records)
- Sara Landry (HEKATE Records)
Best Independent EP/Mixtape
- Fcukers – Baggy$$ (Technicolour Records)
- MRCY – VOLUME 1(Dead Oceans)
- Nectar Woode – Head Above Water (Communion Music)
- Shygirl – Club Shy Room 2 (Because Music)
- Zino Vinci – The Late Bloomer (Bawne London / Believe)
Best Independent Remix
- Aluna – ‘Heatstroke’ (Paul Woolford remix) (Mad Decent / Because Music)
- Home Counties, TATYANA – ‘Uptight’ – TATYANA remix (Submarine Cat Records)
- Koreless – ‘Seven’ (Jorig Kuning Bicton Barns Remix) (Young)
- Nilufer Yanya – ‘Just A Western’ (Boy Harsher Remix) (Ninja Tune)
- Rosie Lowe – ‘Gratitudes’ (D’Monk remix) (Blue Flowers Music)
One To Watch
- anaiis (5dB Records)
- BINA. (TLD Records)
- Chloe Qisha (VLF Records / Believe)
- Cristale (Believe)
- Fcukers (Technicolour Records)
