Soundmerch Australian Music Prize 2026 Shortlist Revealed

The SoundMerch Australian Music Prize (AMP) 2026 shortlist has been announced.

More than 600 albums were submitted this year, with the esteemed judging panel managing to come up with nine incredible albums that are in the running for the prestigious award.

This year's albums are Baker Boy's DJANDJAY, Courtney Barnett's Creature Of Habit, Ecca Vandal's LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO UNFOLLOW, Genesis Owusu's REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE, Georgia Knight's Beanpole, Grace Cummings' Bloodhorse!, Julia Jacklin's The Gem, Karnivool's In Versus and Swapmeet's Mount Zero.

So how do 600-plus albums become nine? The judging panel of musicians, journalists, retailers and those in the industry listened to every album submitted and gave their opinions before revisiting their thoughts and forming a shortlist. The judges then get together one final time to pick a winner from the nine albums.

The winner of the 22nd Soundmerch Australian Music Prize not only gets to say they had the best Australian album of 2026, but they also take home a cool $50k prize money. Not bad.

The winner will be announced on Friday 6 November.

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"Congratulations to the 9 Shortlisted artists whose albums were chosen from a record number of 600 heard this year," said the Australian Music Prize's Founder and Prize Director, Scott B Murphy.

"This very strong list of 9 albums features returnees - Genesis Owusu, Grace Cummings, Baker Boy and Courtney Barnett! I again thank the team of judges - their work hasn't been easy with so many great albums released this year."

Inspired by the UK's Mercury Prize, the AMP was established in 2005, with the first winner being The Drones, who took home the prize for their album Wait Long by the River and the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Float By.

The list of past winners includes Lisa Mitchell, Genesis Owusu, Sampa the Great (twice), Big Scary, The Avalanches and Ninajirachi, who won last year for her album I Love My Computer.

The winner will be announced on Friday 6 November. Check out the full list of nominees here.