Mogwai, The Snuts, Arab Strap, The Ninth Wave, and Biffy Clyro are among the 10 acts left in the running for the 2021 Scottish Album of the Year, aka the SAY Award.

The shortlisted 10 albums and EPs also include the winner of the public vote, Stanley Odd’s ‘Stay Odd’, plus entries from Rachel Newton, AiiTee, Joesef, and Lizzie Reid.

The final 10 from which the winner will be selected come from an initial set of 327 albums, which was previously whittled down to a Longlist of 20 records by judges including Ian Rankin, Jackie Kay, Daniel Portman, Tim Burgess, and Ashley Storrie.

The final ten albums remain in the running to win the £20,000 first at this month’s ceremony in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall on October 23rd, as Scotland’s national music prize celebrates its 10th year.

Also announced was the inaugural of the Modern Scottish Classic Award, recognising an album from Scotland’s past that still inspires music being made today.

Frightened Rabbit‘s ‘The Midnight Organ Fight’ will be recognised on the night of The SAY Award Ceremony.

In alphabetical order, The SAY Award Shortlist for 2021 is as follows:

AiiTee – ‘Love Don’t Fall’
Arab Strap – ‘As Days Get Dark’
Biffy Clyro – ‘A Celebration of Endings’
Joesef – ‘Does It Make You Feel Good?’
Lizzie Reid – ‘Cubicle’
Mogwai – ‘As The Love Continues’
Rachel Newton – ‘To The Awe’
Stanley Odd – ‘STAY ODD’
The Ninth Wave – ‘Happy Days!’
The Snuts – ‘W.L.’

Robert Kilpatrick, Creative Projects and Communications Director at the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) said, “The SAY Award Shortlist comprises 10 of the best Scottish records of the last year; all released throughout the pandemic.

“With some of the biggest names in Scottish music featured alongside some of our nation’s most exciting rising talents, 2021’s Shortlist showcases the exciting, diverse and resilient nature of our music community despite 18 months of significant challenges.

“It firmly recognises music’s cultural impact and life-changing value, and brings to the forefront a recorded output that all of us in Scotland can – and should – feel proud of.”

A panel of previous SAY Award nominees including Kobi Onyame, Sacred Paws, and SHHE, will also select a winner in the new ‘Sound of Young Scotland Award’, with the winner receiving up to £5,000 funding to facilitate the creation of their debut album as well as 500 vinyl pressings of the finished record.

More at www.sayaward.com.