The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) has today revealed the 10 Shortlisted albums now in the running for 2024’s Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, with the winner set to gain the coveted title along with the £20,000 first prize.

The SAY Award Shortlist for 2024, in alphabetical order, is:

Arab Strap – I’m totally fine with it don’t give a fuck anymore
Barry Can’t Swim – When Will We Land?
Becky Sikasa – The Writings and the Pictures and the Song
corto.alto – Bad With Names
Dead Pony – Ignore This
Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand – Willson Williams
Lucia & The Best Boys – Burning Castles
Rachel Sermanni – Dreamer Awake
rEDOLENT – dinny greet
Theo Bleak – Pain

Among the albums listed are two 17-minute EPs – by Becky Sikasa and Theo Bleak – taking advantage of the stipulation that each entry should have at least six tracks and/or be at least 30 minutes in length. It was this rule which allowed Young Fathers’ EP ‘Tape Two’ to take the first of their three awards in 2014.

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 Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand revealed as this year’s public vote winner. The nine remaining Shortlisted albums were chosen by The SAY Award judging panel.

Robert Kilpatrick, 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; Martyn Bennett’s outstanding, innovative and much-loved record ‘Grit’. This is a fantastic representation of the strength and diversity of Scottish music – past, present and future.

“In what has been – and continues to be – an incredibly challenging time for Scotland’s cultural sector, The SAY Award’s role in celebrating, promoting and rewarding artistic endeavour is more important than ever. Culture is our identity; it’s how we understand ourselves, our place in the world and how we connect with each other. It tells the stories of life in Scotland and is essential to our collective and individual well-being. By championing the incredible musical output of our nation, we share our stories with the rest of the world and find new ways to connect.

“Scottish music not only enriches who we are but also contributes significantly to our economy, generating £195 million in 2018 alone, with music tourism adding £406 million. These figures show the profound impact of music, not just culturally, but in creating jobs, driving growth and funding vital public services. Without sustained and increased investment, however, the future for many of our artists and cultural organisations remains uncertain. It’s therefore essential that we continue to advocate for the long-term commitment that Scottish culture both needs and deserves.

“The SMIA is proud of its ongoing commitment to the continued value of music and the arts in Scotland, and The SAY Award is a vital part of this work. A huge thank you to our partners for their invaluable support, and we look forward to an unforgettable celebration at Stirling’s Albert Halls on Thursday 24 October.”

SAY Award Ceremony tickets are on sale now via www.sayaward.com at £18 + booking fee.