Triple J has unveiled the nominees for the 2025 J Awards, recognizing standout achievements across Australian music and kicking off Ausmusic Month programming throughout November.
Now in its 21st year, the J Awards highlight excellence in recorded music, live performance and video, as well as emerging talent via triple j Unearthed. This year’s nominees span five categories: Australian Album of the Year, Unearthed Artist of the Year, Double J Artist of the Year, Australian Music Video of the Year (presented by rage and triple j), and Australian Live Act of the Year.
The shortlist for Album of the Year includes DJANDJAY by Baker Boy, Deadbeat by Tame Impala, If That Makes Sense by Spacey Jane, Now Would Be A Good Time by Folk Bitch Trio, Look At Me Now by ONEFOUR, and Light hit my face like a straight right by Mallrat, among others. The list reflects a mix of charting acts and breakthrough names across hip-hop, indie rock, electronic and experimental pop.
In the Unearthed Artist of the Year category, Don West, Darcie Haven, Sam Alfred, Folk Bitch Trio, and PLAYLUNCH are all in the running. Meanwhile, punk outfit Amyl and the Sniffers lead the Double J Artist of the Year field alongside Paul Kelly, Gordi, Meg Washington, and Emily Wurramara.
On the visual side, five acts are nominated for Music Video of the Year, including Ninajirachi’s “Fuck My Computer,” RONA.’s “Show Me” and Ecca Vandal’s “CRUISING TO SELF SOOTHE.”
Triple J also named four nominees for Australian Live Act of the Year: Amyl and the Sniffers, Ball Park Music, Miss Kaninna and hardcore group SPEED.
Winners will be revealed on Wednesday, Nov. 12, starting at 3:30 p.m. AEDT, following deliberation by music and on-air teams across triple j, Unearthed, Double J and rage.
In addition to the awards, triple j’s Ausmusic Month celebrations include the “triple j 50 tour,” which hits Hobart, Newcastle, Adelaide, the Gold Coast and Torquay with performances from Ninajirachi, Tkay Maidza, Mallrat and more. Local acts will also take over weekly segments like Like a Version, Live at the Wireless and Friday Mix, culminating with Ausmusic T-Shirt Day on Nov. 27.
2025 J Awards Nominees
triple j Australian Album of the Year
- Baker Boy – DJANDJAY
- Folk Bitch Trio – Now Would Be A Good Time
- grentperez – Backflips in a Restaurant
- Mallrat – Light hit my face like a straight right
- Ninajirachi – I Love My Computer
- ONEFOUR – Look At Me Now
- Spacey Jane – If That Makes Sense
- Tame Impala – Deadbeat
- The Rions – Everything Every Single Day
- Thornhill – BODIES
Unearthed Artist of the Year
- Don West
- Darcie Haven
- Sam Alfred
- Folk Bitch Trio
- PLAYLUNCH
Double J Australian Artist of the Year
- Amyl and The Sniffers
- Emily Wurramara
- Gordi
- Meg Washington
- Paul Kelly
rage and triple j Australian Music Video of the Year
- Drifting Clouds – “Bawuypawuy” (dir. Matt Sav)
- Ecca Vandal – “CRUISING TO SELF SOOTHE” (dirs. Ecca Vandal and Richie Buxton)
- Ninajirachi – “Fuck My Computer” (dir. Ball Bass John)
- PLAYLUNCH – “Keith” (dir. Riley Nimbs)
- RONA. – “Show Me” (dir. Tyson Perkins)
triple j Australian Live Act of the Year
- Amyl and The Sniffers
- Ball Park Music
- Miss Kaninna
- SPEED
For more information and full Ausmusic Month programming, visit triple j’s official website.
