Alum Emma-Jean Thackray, who completed her MMus in Composition at Trinity Laban in 2013, has been nominated for the 2025 Mercury Prize, recognising her outstanding new album Weirdo.
Weirdo, released in April 2025, is Emma-Jean’s second studio album. It’s an expansive, genre-blending record that draws on her skills as composer, multi-instrumentalist, producer and vocalist, and it confronts themes of grief, survival, and identity.
The album was born in part out of deeply personal experience. In 2023, Emma-Jean’s partner passed away unexpectedly. That loss, combined with her reflections on mental health and her neurodivergent identity (she is autistic and has ADHD), gave Weirdo a gravitas as well as a candour that has struck a chord with critics and listeners alike.
Musically, Weirdo pushes boundaries. Emma-Jean overlays her jazz foundation with elements of rock, funk, soul, and pop, shifting between instruments and styles, and using her voice prominently alongside instrumental textures. The album includes 19 tracks, recorded largely in her home studio in South London.
Emma-Jean’s Mercury Prize nomination affirms her position as one of the most distinctive and forward-thinking voices in contemporary music. We are proud to celebrate her success and to see her artistry recognised on such a significant stage.
Tune into the Mercury Prize ceremony on 16 October which will feature live performances from some of the 12 shortlisted artists, and culminate in the announcement of the winner.