The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – Scotland’s national music prize – has announced the 20 outstanding albums that have earned a place on the 2022 Longlist.
A record-breaking 369 eligible record submissions were whittled down to the final 20 by 100 impartial music industry nominators.
Each longlisted album is now in the running for the coveted SAY Award title and £20,000 first prize, with the winner to be announced at the ceremony taking place at Stirling’s Albert Halls on Thursday 20 October.
This year’s 20-strong longlist features one of the most diverse genre spreads in the eleven years of the award, showcasing Scotland’s eclectic musical landscape and highlighting a range of subcultures and artistic styles.
The announcement comes as 2022’s host city, Stirling, celebrates with a free exhibition taking place at award-winning music venue The Tolbooth.
Music fans can explore the 20 enlarged album artworks and use QR codes for an experiential discovery of the Longlist.
The exhibition will provide a focal point for celebrating the records in the lead up to next month’s Ceremony where one will be announced as Scottish Album of the Year.
Established and rising talent
Robert Kilpatrick, Creative Director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) / The SAY Award, said: “Following a record-breaking 369 eligible album submissions, we’re delighted to announce the 20 outstanding records in the running for 2022’s Scottish Album of the Year Award.
"As Scotland’s national music prize, The SAY Award exists to celebrate the cultural impact and contribution of our nation’s recorded output.
"2022’s Longlist presents a dynamic and diverse collection of albums which spans multiple genres and showcases both established and rising talent from across the country.
"Despite the turbulence of recent times, the enduring impact and resonance of the album format remains. As vehicles of both self-discovery and connection with others, their power to ground, inspire and unite us is perhaps more important than ever.
"As we now approach our 2022 Ceremony at Stirling’s Albert Halls next month, we look forward to championing Scotland’s ever evolving music scene and unique cultural identity; recognising the value and magic of music in our lives.”
Dynamic and diverse music scene
Convener of Stirling Council’s Community Planning and Regeneration Committee, Cllr Gerry McGarvey said: “Congratulations to all the amazing artists from across Scotland that have made the longlist for this prestigious musical award.
"To reach this stage in the competition is an achievement in itself and it’s fantastic to have so many Stirling-based artists, and artists that have their roots in The Tolbooth’s Music Development workshops, in the final 20, demonstrating the area’s dynamic and diverse music scene.
“To celebrate the longlist announcement, we have created a special interactive exhibition in The Tolbooth where people can sample the best of Scottish music in 2022.
“In just over a month one of these incredible records will be recognised as Scottish Album of the Year in the Albert Halls Stirling, and today’s milestone signals the countdown is on to an exciting and inspiring night.”
In alphabetical order, The SAY Award Longlist for 2022 is as follows:
- AiiTee – ‘Better Days’
- Andrew Wasylyk – ‘Balgay Hill: Morning In Magnolia’
- Annie Booth – ‘Lazybody’
- Bemz – ‘M4’
- C Duncan – ‘Alluvium’
- Callum Easter – ‘System’
- Constant Follower – ‘Neither Is, Nor Ever Was’
- Declan Welsh and the Decadent West – ‘It’s Been A Year’
- Duncan Lyall – ‘Milestone’
- Fergus McCreadie – ‘Forest Floor’
- Hamish Hawk – ‘Heavy Elevator’
- Hen Hoose – ‘Equaliser’
- Kathryn Joseph – ‘For You Who Are The Wronged’
- Kobi Onyame – ‘Don’t Drink The Poison’
- The Ninth Wave – ‘Heavy Like a Headache’
- Niteworks – ‘A’Ghrian’
- Proc Fiskal – ‘Siren Spine Sysex’
- Rebecca Vasmant – ‘With Love, From Glasgow’
- Seonaid Aitken Ensemble – ‘Chasing Sakura’
- Walt Disco – ‘Unlearning’
As Scotland’s most prestigious music prize, The SAY Award winner will take away not only the coveted Scottish Album of the Year title but also a £20,000 prize that is among the most lucrative in the UK. The nine runners-up also take away £1,000 each as well as a bespoke award created by a local Stirling artist commissioned by The SAY Award.
The winner will be exclusively announced at this year’s Ceremony, taking place at the Albert Halls, Stirling, in a celebration of Scottish music – past, present and future – and featuring exclusive live performances along with celebrations of the 2022’s nominees. As one of the most exciting nights in Scotland’s musical calendar, the Ceremony can now be attended by music fans, with tickets available to purchase here.
More info on the longlist cane be found on the SAY Award website.
To keep up with The SAY Award 2022 journey, make sure you follow the award on Twitter @SAYaward, Instagram @sayaward and Facebook @SAYaward.