Jacob Alon has been announced as the winner of the BRITs Critics’ Choice award supported by BBC Radio 1.
Sienna Spiro and Rose Gray were also shortlisted for the award at The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard, with Alon’s victory announced on Jack Saunders’ show today (January 19).
“Taing mhòr to the critics for recognising my work for this award, you absolute dotes!” Alon said. “In the wee town where I grew up in Scotland, it often felt like there was a limit to how high you could dare to dream. So being part of something like this makes me feel like I’m floating far above the sky.”
Hopefully this means some more beautiful people might find something in my album
Jacob Alon
Alon, who was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize last year for debut album In Limerence (Island), added: “In a world full of broken and rusted jaggy edges, I’m grateful to find a place for softness still. And I will keep fighting for it.”
“I really care about and believe in this music, and it makes my world brighter every time it reaches someone else,” they said. “Hopefully this means some more beautiful people might find something in my album. Thank you to anyone who has ever listened.”
Also in 2025, Bounse Management client Alon became the first Scottish winner of BBC Introducing’s Artist Of The Year, was nominated for the Scottish Album Of The Year Award, performed on Later… with Jools Holland, played a celebrated set on the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury and was named one of BBC Radio 6 Music’s Artists of the Year.
This award has an incredible track record as a launchpad for so many brilliant artists who have gone on to achieve amazing successes
Stacey Tang, RCA/BRITs
Stacey Tang, chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and co-president of RCA Records UK, said: “This award has an incredible track record as a launchpad for so many brilliant artists who have gone on to achieve amazing successes and I’m sure Jacob will continue that trajectory. The Critics’ Choice category holds significant value for the BRITs. The recognition it offers is hugely important but just as meaningfully, giving artists visibility, support, and therefore confidence to experiment and grow shouldn’t be underestimated.”
A livestream, Bring On The BRITs with Mastercard: The 2026 Nominations, will reveal the rest of this year’s nominees from 5pm this Wednesday (January 21).
Jack Whitehall will host this year’s ceremony, which takes place on Saturday February 28 at Co-Op Live in Manchester.
Jacob Alon, Sienna Spiro and Rose Gray are profiled in the new issue of Music Week, on sale now. Jack Saunders also stars in our new music special.
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