Young Fathers win Scottish Album of the Year Award

Young Fathers’ Tape Two has won the 2014 Scottish Album of the Year award. Facing stiff competition from the likes of Steve Mason, Boards Of Canada and last year’s winner RM Hubbert, the Edinburgh hip-hop trio seemed dazed by the decision, but excitedly accepted the £20,000 prize. As they commented later: “What started in the basement has become worldwide. Something that is personal to us, is for everyone.”

There was a degree of mild controversy to their nomination, since the eventual winner arguably comprises an EP rather than an album per se – their debut full-length Dead dropped earlier this year – but a near-unanimous decision from the panel saw that as an irrelevance. The self-produced Tape Two met with strong reviews on its release in June 2013, with critics praising its dark atmosphere and progressive experimentalism. In a lavish ceremony at Glasgow’s Barrowlands ballroom, Young Fathers also received a specially commissioned piece of artwork by the Edinburgh College of Art’s Ian Jackson, following performances from RM Hubbert, Law and Issho Taiko Drummers. SAY Award organiser Stewart Henderson was delighted with the result: “Tape Two is an extraordinary album and a deserving winner out of a phenomenally strong shortlist.” He went on to describe the award, now in its third year, as: “a prestigious and increasingly important celebration of Scotland's quite exceptional musical output.”

That shortlist again in full:

• Biffy Clyro – Opposites (fans’ poll winners)
• Boards of Canada – Tomorrow’s Harvest
• Chvrches – The Bones Of What You Believe
• Edwyn Collins – Understated
• Hector Bizerk – Nobody Seen Nothing
• RM Hubbert – Breaks & Bone
• Steve Mason – Monkey Minds In The Devil’s Time
• Mogwai – Les Revenants
• The Pastels – Slow Summits
• Young Fathers – Tape Two

The judging panel consisted of Kath Mainland (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), John McLaughlin (musician), Nicola Meighan (journalist), Amanda Millen (goNORTH festival), Jill Rodger (Glasgow International Jazz Festival), Claire Sawers (journalist), Andy Weatherall (DJ and producer), Kevin Williamson (Neu Reekie) and Will Fitzpatrick (journalist).