The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has today revealed the 10 Shortlisted albums in the running for the £20,000 prize and coveted national title, plus Paolo Nutini’s ‘These Streets’ is announced as the winner of 2023’s Modern Scottish Classic Award.
The five finalists for this year’s Sound of Young Scotland Award have also been revealed.
The SAY Award Shortlist for 2023 in alphabetical order is:
- Andrew Wasylyk Hearing the Water before Seeing the Falls
- Becky Sikasa Twelve Wooden Boxes
- Bemz Nova’s Dad
- Brìghde Chaimbeul Carry Them With Us
- Brooke Combe Black Is the New Gold
- Cloth Secret Measure
- Hamish Hawk Angel Numbers
- Joesef Permanent Damage
- Paolo Nutini Last Night In The Bittersweet
- Young Fathers Heavy Heavy
Music fans were given 72 hours to ‘have their SAY’ and vote for their favourite Longlisted album to secure a place on the Shortlist, with Paolo Nutini ‘Last Night in the Bittersweet’ revealed as this year’s public vote winner.
The 9 remaining Shortlisted albums were chosen by The SAY Award Judging panel.
Robert Kilpatrick, Interim CEO and Creative Director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) said, “Congratulations to the 10 incredible albums that have made The SAY Award Shortlist, as well as to our Sound of Young Scotland Award finalists and this year’s Modern Scottish Classic Award winner – Paolo Nutini’s iconic debut ‘These Streets’. This is a fantastic representation of the strength and diversity of Scottish music; past, present and future.
“In light of the recent Government cuts to culture funding, and with a myriad of wider financial challenges currently impacting artists at all levels, The SAY Award’s role in celebrating, promoting and rewarding artistic endeavour remains crucially important. Culture is our identity; it’s how we see ourselves, how we see our place in the world and how we relate to others. It’s the stories of life in Scotland, and it underpins mental well-being – both collectively and individually – in many ways.
“Our lives and our stories matter, and through championing our nation’s musical output, we can share our stories with the rest of the world and find new ways to connect. The SMIA is proud of its ongoing commitment to the value of music in Scotland, and The SAY Award is an essential part of that work. Thanks to our partners for their invaluable support, and we look forward to what will be an incredible night to remember at our Ceremony in Stirling later this month.”
The Modern Scottish Classic Award (in association with YouTube Music) is an annual recognition of an iconic album from Scotland’s past that still inspires today. 2023’s Modern Scottish Classic Award goes to Paolo Nutini’s ‘These Streets’ (2006).
The five finalists for The Sound of Young Scotland Award (supported by Help Musicians, Youth Music Initiative and Youth Music) have also been revealed; an award designed to support the next generation of Scottish talent and give the winner the means to create their debut album. In alphabetical order: Danny Cliff, Pearling, Pippa Blundell, No Windows and Queen of Harps.
2023’s SAY Award Shortlist, Modern Scottish Classic Award winner and Sound of Young Scotland Award finalists will be celebrated at this year’s SAY Award Ceremony, allowing a full-circle celebration of Scottish music throughout time; past, present and future. The SAY Award Ceremony, takes place in the heart of Scotland at The Albert Halls in Stirling on Thursday 26 October. Final tickets from www.sayaward.com
