This afternoon, Tracy Clifford welcomed Jim Carroll to her 2fm show in order to announce the shortlist for the 2019 Choice Music Prize Irish album of the year. The awards will celebrate the best in Irish recorded music for a 15th consecutive year.

For the first time, the eleven-judge panel is comprised of more women than men. Every Irish album released in 2019 was eligible, but the ten album shortlist showcases the best and brightest Irish talent. The judges include Claire Beck from TodayFM, Molly King of Other Voices, Roisin McNickle from BBC Northern Ireland and freelance journalist Andrea Cleary.

Notably, the list includes members of the Irish punk renaissance Fontaines D.C. (Dogrel) and Girl Band (The Talkies) as well as folk and trad mainstays Junior Brother (Pull The Right Rope) and Lankum (The Livelong Day). SOAK firmly ended her four year hiatus, snagging a spot for her album Grim Town. 

Irish song of the year is slated to be announced on January 29th, 2020, while the RTÉ Choice Music Prize Live Event will be held at Vicar Street on Thursday, March 5th, 2020.

The full shortlist is as follows:

• Daithí, L.O.S.S. (Strange Brew)
• Mick Flannery, Mick Flannery (Rosaleen Records)
• Fontaines D.C., Dogrel (Partisan Records)
• Girl Band, The Talkies (Rough Trade Records)
• Jafaris, Stride (DFL)
• Junior Brother, Pull The Right Rope (Strange Brew)
• Lankum, The Livelong Day (Rough Trade Records)
• SOAK, Grim Town (Rough Trade Records)
• Maija Sofia, Bath Time (Trapped Animal Records)
• Sorcha Richardson, First Prize Bravery (Faction Records)