Scottish Album of the Year Award 2025: Shortlist revealed as KT Tunstall announced to perform at Dundee ceremony

The ten albums shortlisted (Picture: Supplied)

The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has announced the 10 albums shortlisted for 2025’s prestigious £20,000 prize.

The shortlist features a diverse mix of artists, from emerging talents to established names, highlighting the strength and creativity of Scotland’s music scene.

Brooke Combe’s record earned its place through the public vote, while the remaining nine were selected by the SAY Award judging panel.

KT Tunstall to perform at the ceremony

KT Tunstall is coming back to Dundee (Picture: Supplied)

Alongside the main prize, KT Tunstall has been named the winner of the Modern Scottish Classic Award for her debut album Eye to the Telescope.

First released in 2004, the record includes some of her best-known songs such as Black Horse and the Cherry Tree and Suddenly I See.

To mark the honour, KT Tunstall will perform live at this year’s SAY Award ceremony, which takes place at Dundee’s Caird Hall on Thursday 6 November.

KT’s connection to Dundee runs deep. She attended the High School of Dundee and began her early career performing locally before rising to global fame.

In recent years, she even returned to busk on the city’s streets, showing her continued affection for the place where her musical journey began.

Her debut album, Eye to the Telescope, catapulted her to international stardom, and its impact still resonates two decades later.

The Sound of Young Scotland Award finalists have also been announced, celebrating the next generation of musical talent. This year’s five finalists are Aleena, Alice Faye, GAÏA, Rahul.mp3 and Tarran.

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The winner will receive a funding package worth up to £10,000 to help create their debut album, alongside vinyl pressings, an art prize, and a performance slot at next year’s ceremony.

Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and Creative Director of the Scottish Music Industry Association, congratulated all the nominees and finalists, adding that this year’s Dundee ceremony will celebrate “Scottish music’s bright future, rich past and invaluable present.”

Performances on the night will come from KT Tunstall, Brooke Combe, corto.alto, Dillon Barrie and redolent, making it one of the biggest events in the Scottish music calendar.

The SAY Award 2025 marks the first time the ceremony has been held outside the Central Belt, shining a national spotlight on Dundee’s thriving music scene. Tickets for the event are available now at www.sayaward.com.

SAY Award 2025 Shortlist

• Brooke Combe – Dancing At The Edge Of The World

• Cloth – Pink Silence

• Hamish Hawk – A Firmer Hand

• Jacob Alon – In Limerence

• Kai Reesu – KOMPROMAT vol. I

• Kathryn Joseph – WE WERE MADE PREY.

• Matt Carmichael – Dancing with Embers

• TAAHLIAH – Gramarye

• The Joy Hotel – Ceremony

• Zoe Graham – TENT