Zino Vinci, Jim Legxacy & more shortlisted for Independent Music Awards

Zino Vinci, Jim Legxacy, Jorja Smith, and Maverick Sabre have all been nominated for The Independent Music Awards alongside a host of big names. Ezra Collective, Shygirl, Bon Iver, and Fontaines DC are also amongst the shortlisted artists.

Previous winners have included the likes of Stormzy, Dave, Little Simz, and RAYE, with the awards offering a platform for the success of future stars.

Gee Davy, CEO of AIM (Association of Independent Music), commented:

“As we celebrate the 15th anniversary of The Independent Music Awards, I’m inspired by the extraordinary creativity flowing from the UK’s independent music community.

“Every year, our sector delivers music that speaks to hearts, minds and dancing feet – and this year’s nominees are no exception. Our panel of tastemakers has curated a spectacular selection from the vast array of submissions. This is only a glimpse of the immense talent and variety within the scene, but showcases the fearless artistry that defines this community.”

See below for AIM’s Independent Music Awards current 2025 nominees:

Best Independent Track

anaiis, Grupo Cosmo – ‘B.P.E’ (5dB Records)

Ezra Collective, Yazmin Lacey – ‘God Gave Me Feet For Dancing’ (Partisan Records)

JIALING – ‘Freaky Horns’ (Clasico Records)

Jim Legxacy – ‘father’ (XL Recordings)

Jorja Smith, Maverick Sabre – ‘Loving You’ (FAMM)

Miso Extra, Metronomy – ‘Good Kisses’ (Transgressive Records)

Orla Gartland – ‘Mine’ (New Friends Music)

Wet Leg – ‘Catch These Fists’ (Domino Recording Co.)

Wunderhorse – ‘The Rope’ (Communion Records)

Yannis & The Yaw, Tony Allen – ‘Rain Can’t Reach Us’ (Transgressive Records)

Best Independent Album

Bon Iver – Sable, Fable (Jagjaguwar)

Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching (Partisan Records)

Fontaines DC – Romance (XL Recordings)

Hope Tala – Hope Handwritten (Big Family Music)

John Glacier – Like A Ribbon (Young)

Maverick Sabre – Burn The Right Things Down (FAMM)

Moonchild Sanelly – Full Moon (Transgressive Records)

Nala Sinephro – Endlessness (Warp Records)

Oklou – Choke Enough (Oklou / True Panther Records)

TAAHLIA – Gramarye (untitled (recs))

UK Independent Breakthrough (in association with Amazon Music) 

corto.alto (Ninja Tune)

Fat Dog (Domino Recording Co.)

Glass Beams (Ninja Tune)

Hope Tala (Big Family Music)

Sara Landry (HEKATE Records)

Best Independent EP/Mixtape

Fcukers – Baggy$$ (Technicolour Records)

MRCY – VOLUME 1(Dead Oceans)

Nectar Woode – Head Above Water (Communion Music)

Shygirl – Club Shy Room 2 (Because Music)

Zino Vinci – The Late Bloomer (Bawne London / Believe)  

Best Independent Remix

Aluna – ‘Heatstroke’ (Paul Woolford remix) (Mad Decent / Because Music)

Home Counties, TATYANA – ‘Uptight’ – TATYANA remix (Submarine Cat Records)

Koreless – ‘Seven’ (Jorg Kuning Bicton Barns Remix) (Young)

Nilufer Yanya – ‘Just A Western’ (Boy Harsher Remix) (Ninja Tune)

Rosie Lowe – ‘Gratitudes’ (D’Monk remix) (Blue Flowers Music)

One To Watch

anaiis (5dB Records)

BINA. (TLD Records)

Chloe Qisha (VLF Records / Believe) 

Cristale (Believe)

Fcukers (Ninja Tune)