This year's Welsh Music Prize Shortlist has been announced, with 15 incredible albums taking the stage at this year's 15th anniversary show. 

The Welsh Music Prize is an annual award celebrating the best music made in Wales or by Welsh artists. Founded in 2011 by Huw Stephens and John Rostron, it highlights creativity and originality across all genres. A panel of industry experts selects a shortlist of standout albums, with one winner chosen each year. More than just an award, the prize shines a spotlight on Wales’s vibrant music scene and supports both emerging and established artists.

Here's a breakdown of all 15 albums on this year's shortlist and the top tracks to listen to from all of them. 

Adwaith - Solas

The two-time winners are back, looking to claim a historic third win with their 2025 album Solas.

The much anticipated album from the band, Solas is the first double album in the Welsh language by female artists. Recorded across multiple locations in the UK, this album reflects the band's growth and evolution as artists, marking their transformation from teenagers to empowered women. 

Top Track to listen to: Milwn

Buddug - Rhwng Gwyll a Gwawr 

The debut album from the North West Wales based Artist, Buddug has become a fast rising star, being named as one of the most promising young artists in the Welsh language music scene by Focus Wales and performing at national events such as Eisteddfod and Tafwyl. 

Top Track to listen to: Digon

Briechiau Hir - Y Dwylo Uwchben

The latest album from the Cardiff based six piece band, this album takes their post rock/emo sound and expands on it, delivering on their promise of authenticity and personal songwriting, whilst delivering gritty hooks and expansive soundscapes.

Top Track to listen to: Dim Ymladd Nôl

Cerys Hafana - Difrisg

Cerys is a multi instrumentalist and composer who explores the creative possibilities of archival material, folk songs and psalms and has previously appeared on the shortlist in 2023.

Top Track to listen to: Marblys

Don Leisure - Tyrchu Sain

The latest album from the Cardiff based Beatmaker who uses this album to dive into the back catalogue of Wales' oldest independent record label, Sain Records. This album includes features from previous WMP winners Boy Azooga & Gruff Rhys.

Top Track to listen to: Brân Swift

Gwenno - Utopia

Looking to claim her second Welsh Music Prize, ten years after claiming the crown with her album Y Dydd Olaf, the Cardiff based musician uses this album to explore her life and present a different side of her songwriting that captures a time of experimention.

Top Track to listen to: Utopia

Kelly Lee Owens - Dreamstate

Another winner looking to capture a second prize, Owens' fourth studio album is all about letting loose and encouraging everyone to do the same, created from the experience of evolving after a breakup. 

Top Track to listen to: Higher

KEYS - Acid Communism

Welsh Music legends KEYS returned this year with an album that draws inspiration from late cultural theorist Mark Fisher. The band explain that ACID symbolises creative play and experimentation, while COMMUNISM speaks to the strength found in community. The album houses a quiet sense of purpose, to resist isolation, to reconnect with others, and to celebrate the kind of shared.

Top Track to listen to: There's no I in Team

Melin Melyn - Mill on the hill

The debut album from the Cardiff based Psychedelic Prog Rock band, this album transports you to a world built around them where townspeople bask in the beauty of song.

Top Track to listen to: The Pigeon and The Golden Egg

Sage Todz - Stopia Cwyno

Sage Todz is a rapper who's all about the melody and likes to let the songs speak for themselves. In his words, "I love the feeling I get when I listen to sweet, vibey music (regardless of genre) and want you to feel a way when you listen mine."

Top Track to listen to: Wants Me

Siula - Night falls on the world

The debut album from the Cardiff based duo, this album is described as a "deeply introspective record" where each track is its own world, capturing the delicate emotional residue of things once held close but now slipping into the distance.

Top Track to listen to: Lucid Love

Panic Shack - Panic Shack

The self titled album from the punk infused band who's music is described as explosive, intoxicating and delightfully chaotic. This album covers everything from dating apps, toxic tabloid culture, sexual harassment and "remembering everything you need to stick in your bag because your dress has no pockets".

Top Track to listen to: Gok Wan

Tai Haf Heb Drigolyn - Ein Albwm Cyntaf Ni

Tai Haf Heb Drigolyn are a lofi band based in mid Wales. This album was recorded across multiple home studios and combines influences across indie, folk and hypnagogic pop.

Top Track to listen to: Sigwr

The Gentle Good - Elan

The Gentle Good, also known as Gareth Bonello, is a singer songwriter from the South Wales Valleys who uses intricate guitar style and beautiful acoustic arrangements to create enchanting melodies. ‘Elan’ is a psychedelic portrait of the Elan Valley in Powys and explores the landscape, history and politics of this remote area.

Top Track to listen to: To Be In Summer

The Tubs - Cotton Crown

The second album from the band which sees them dive into a darker more personal territory. This album sees them expand their sound across multiple different genres and sees them continue to explore this world whilst creating their own unique sound. 

Top Track to listen to: Chain Reaction

The ceremony will once again be a part of this year’s Llais with a celebration of Welsh music made over the past year, and will take place at The Wales Millennium Centre on the 6th October. Tickets for the event are available to purchase now from here: https://www.wmc.org.uk/en/whats-on/2025/welsh-music-prize

You can also listen to every album on the shortlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4JxhxJH6VPVAZD2HxYnPCx?si=09c471bf3b404876&nd=1&dlsi=a935915a97154a15