Popular Music Nominations 2026
CMAT
EURO-COUNTRY
CMAT's third album, EURO-COUNTRY, is a bold and unapologetically original record that blends pop, country and indie influences into a distinctive and powerful artistic statement. It pairs infectious melodies with sharp reflections on identity, ambition, belonging and the realities of being a woman in the public eye. Moving effortlessly between the personal and the political, the album explores everything from national identity and economic pressures to fame and self-discovery. Refusing easy categorisation, EURO-COUNTRY confirms CMAT as one of the most distinctive songwriting voices of her generation.
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Jim Legxacy
black british music
With black british music (2025), Jim Legxacy transforms Black British musical heritage into something daringly contemporary, blending rap, Afroswing, indie, R&B and electronic influences into a work that feels entirely his own. Balancing personal reflections on grief, family and identity with a broader celebration of the sounds that have shaped modern Britain, the project is both innovative and emotionally resonant. Restlessly creative and impossible to categorise, it challenges expectations of genre while capturing the energy, complexity and cultural impact of Black British music. Bold, original and future-facing, it marks the arrival of a singular artistic voice.
Jacob Alon
In Limerence
Jacob Alon's debut album In Limerence is a haunting and deeply personal exploration of love, longing, grief and self-discovery. Blending folk traditions with contemporary songwriting, Alon creates a body of work that is both technically accomplished and emotionally raw, pairing intricate musicianship with extraordinary vulnerability. Through songs that navigate queerness, memory, fantasy and heartbreak, the album speaks to universal experiences while offering a distinctive new perspective. The result is a confident and original debut that establishes Alon as one of the most compelling new voices in contemporary music.
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