A Leeds-born musician and rising star not just of the Yorkshire music scene but UK jazz as a whole, Emma-Jean Thackray, has been named among the nominees for this year’s Mercury Prize.
The 2025 Mercury Music Prize shortlist is officially out, and we’re proud to say that the North has been well represented once again this time around.
Better still, with multiple names from ‘God’s Own Country’, Emma-Jean Thackray is flying the flag for the Leeds delegation following her most recent album, which has seen her notch the Mercury nod for the first time.
She may now be based in south-east London, but the local lass still his a big following back home, so it goes without saying that we’re proud as punch for her.
Released back in April, Thackray‘s fourth studio LP hasn’t just been a firm hit with her fan-base but has won over plenty more, not to mention earning plenty more plaudits from the critics – hence being shortlisted this year.
Addressing the huge honour in an emotional post on Instagram, the 36-year-old said: “Weirdo is a Mercury Prize shortlisted album of the year!! Who wants to come over and ugly cry with me on the sofa??
“Making this album saved my life, so thank you to everyone that’s been listening. After going through the most unimaginable grief, losing the love of my life and not wanting to be here anymore, I threw everything into making this record, alone, for a year, and it was my therapy.”
For anyone unaware, Thackray’s long-term partner for more than a decade, Matthew Gordon, died suddenly and tragically of natural causes. He was also a musician, serving as an electronic composer for the Pie Eye Collective for many years.
She continues: “I wrote every note, played every instrument, produced it, recorded it, and mixed it, and came out the other side having found myself again. Changed, but here. I’m so grateful for this record because I wouldn’t be here without it.”
“It all started as a celebration record for being a neurodivergent little weirdo with constant mental health issues, but it evolved and became a survival record in so many ways.” It’s no surprise that the deeply personal record has struck such a strong chord.
She joins the likes of resurgent Sheffield Britpop icons and fellow Yorkshire folk, Pulp, as well as Wolf Alice, CMAT and lots more talented acts on the list.
Unsurprisingly, the likes of Fontaines D.C. and Sam Fender are also on there after a standout 12 months for both artists.
As for Thackray, she signed off by adding, “Thank you to all the weirdos out there for being in my gang. We’re not alone inside the music x.” Well said, EmJ.
It goes without saying that she gets our vote, and wouldn’t potential back-to-back Mercury Prize wins for Leeds be quite the story? You can see the rest of the 2025 shortlist in full down below.
Introducing the artists behind the 2025 Mercury Prize Albums of the Year! ✨@cmatbaby @ejthackray @FKAtwigs @fontainesdublin
— Mercury Prize (@MercuryPrize) September 10, 2025
Jacob Alon@_joe_webb_
Martin Carthy@PA_SALIEU_ @pinkpantheress2 @welovepulp @samfendermusic @wolfalicemusic #MercuryPrize pic.twitter.com/196BzRI7nj
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Featured Images — Press shot
