For Those I Love wins Choice Music Prize Album of the Year

Following another remarkable year for Irish music, For Those I Love has been announced as the winner of the RTÉ Choice Music Prize Irish Album of the Year.

As the winning act, selected by a panel of judges from a shortlist of ten albums, he will receive a prize of €10,000 – which has been provided by The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and The Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA).

Tonight's ceremony in Vicar Street marked the highly anticipated return of the in-person awards – following a virtual show last year, due to Covid-19 restrictions. Last year's ceremony saw Denise Chaila take home the Album of the Year award, for Go Bravely.

This year's awards show featured performances from a selection of the shortlisted acts, including Soda Blonde, Elaine Mai, For Those I Love, HousePlants, Kojaque, Mick Flannery & Susan O'Neill and Villagers.

For Those I Love's self-titled debut album was by released via September Recordings in March 2021. Every song on the project was written, recorded and mixed by David Balfe in his mother's shed or in his bedroom. Revisit our interview with Balfe here.

Earlier today, Dermot Kennedy's 'Better Days' was announced as the Choice Music Prize Song Of The Year