AIM Awards Announces 2022 Nominees

The most anticipated night in the independent music calendar is back – the AIM Awards. Showcasing established talent alongside new artists and future stars, the Awards are set to return in-person with an evening event at London’s iconic Roundhouse.

The star-studded nominees list includes double-nominees such as indie-sensations Wet Leg, rock duo Nova Twins, rapper Knucks, soul outfit Children of Zeus, rising Scot TAAHLIAH, rapper Jeshi, indie-pop singer Nilüfer Yanya, and previous AIM Award winners, Dave & FKA twigs.

This year also marks a brand-new category, the Best Independent EP/ Mixtape. Nominees include the likes of Joy Orbison, Surya Sen and Wesley Joseph. In association with BBC Introducing, the Ones To Watch category signposts Barry Can’t Swim, Jeshi, Léa Sen, Nia Archives and TAAHLIAH as future stars. Children of Zeus, Warmduscher, Knucks, Nova Twins, and Wet Leg will vie for UK Independent Breakthrough in association with YouTube Music.

The much-coveted ‘Best Live Performer’ decision will once again be put in the hands of fans. They can vote for their favourite act here. The evening will also include a live show open to the public, tickets available here.

See below for AIM Awards 2022 nominees:

UK Independent Breakthrough in association with YouTube Music

Children of Zeus (First Word Records)

Warmduscher (Bella Union)

Knucks (No Days Off)

Nova Twins (Marshall Records)

Wet Leg (Domino Recording Company)

International Breakthrough in association with Deezer

Amyl & the Sniffers (Rough Trade)

Blxst (Red Bull Records)

Kokoroko (Brownswood Recordings)

Mdou Moctar (Matador Records)

Mitski (Dead Oceans)

Best Independent Track in association with Meta

Anz – ‘You Could Be’ (ft. George Riley) (Ninja Tune)

Dave – ‘Starlight’ (Neighbourhood Recordings)

FKA twigs – ‘tears in the club’ ft. the weeknd (Young Recordings)

Jeshi – ‘Protein’ feat. Obongjayar (Because Music)

Knucks, SL – ‘Nice & Good’

Nova Twins – ‘Antagonist’

Overmono – ‘So U Kno’ (XL Recordings)

Wet Leg – ‘Chaise Longue’

Wu-Lu – ‘Broken Homes’ (Warp Records)

Yves Tumor – ‘Jackie’ (Warp Records)

Best Independent EP/Mixtape

FKA twigs – ‘CAPRISONGS’ (Young Recordings)

Joy Orbison – ‘still slipping vol.1’ (XL Recordings)

Surya Sen – ‘At What Cost?’ (Skint Records)

TAAHLIAH – ‘Angelica’ (untitled (recs))

Wesley Joseph – ‘ULTRAMARINE’ (EEVILTWINN)

Best Independent Album in association with Spotify

Boj – ‘Gbagada Express’ (Moves Recordings)

Children Of Zeus – ‘Balance’ (First Word Records)

Cleo Sol  – ‘Mother’ (Forever Living Originals)

Dave – ‘We’re All Alone In This Together’

Dave Okumu – ‘Knopperz’ (Neighbourhood Recordings)

Emma-Jean Thackray – ‘Yellow’ (Movementt)

Mustafa – ‘When Smoke Rises’ (Young)

Nilüfer Yanya – ‘Painless’ (ATO Records)

SAULT – ‘NINE’ (Forever Living Originals)

Walt Disco – ‘Unlearning’ (Lucky Number)

Best [Difficult] Second Album in association with BBC 6 Music

Black Country, New Road  – ‘Ants From Up There’ (Ninja Tune)

Jana Rush – ‘Painful Enlightenment’ (Planet Mu Records)

Nilüfer Yanya – ‘Painless’

Ross From Friends – ‘Tread’ (Brainfeeder)

Tirzah – ‘Colourgrade’ (Domino Recording Company)

Best Independent Remix

ATO – ‘no caroline remix’ (FLOHIO) (MCMXCV)

Erike de Casier – ‘Polite (Mura Masa Remix)’ (4AD)

Ibeyi – ‘Lavender & Red Roses ft. Jorja Smith (Champion Remix)’ (XL Recordings)

MF DOOM – ‘Gazzillion Ear (Thom Yorke Man on Fire Remix)’ (Lex Records)

Shygirl – ‘BDE (Kaydy Cain Remix)’ (Because Music)

One To Watch in association with BBC Introducing

Barry Can’t Swim (Technicolour / Ninja Tune)

Jeshi (Because Music)

Léa Sen (Partisan Records)

Nia Archives (HIJINXX)

TAAHLIAH