National Album Day has announced Wolf Alice, Nova Twins, Architects and Iron Maiden as Album Champions for its 2025 edition, which is set to celebrate rock music.
Now in its eighth year since launching in 2018, National Album Day sees the music community come together to celebrate the art of the album, with this year’s focus on rock music.
The newly appointed Album Champions announced today (September 15) span genres like punk, metal, and hip hop, whose varying styles will showcase some of today’s “Great British Rock”, and are set to unveil a series of promotional activities around National Album Day as it draws closer.
This year’s edition falls on October 18, and the event comes backed by a host of names across the wider music industry, including music bodies AIM and PPL, as well as the Official Charts Company.
Mercury Prize-winners Wolf Alice – who were recently shortlisted for the award once again this year – emerged out of London’s indie scene, with their blend of alternative rock and dream pop seeing their latest album ‘The Clearing’ arrive at Number One on the charts, as well as scoring a glowing five-star review from NME.
Speaking about their ambassadorial role, Ellie Rowsell said: “We are very happy to be part of National Album Day this year. Albums are so important to us – it’s one of the most romantic parts of being an artist/musician/band.
“You get to create a little world, a piece of theatre, a snapshot of time, tell a story, spread a message or none of those things at all; there’s no formula, there’s no rules and that’s why it’s so exciting. Between the four of us, we never stop discussing what our faves are, what makes a good one, what we want ours to be like etc. I hope the romance of the album never dies and we’re so grateful for things like National Album Day.”
Nova Twins’ Amy Love and Georgia South, who are returning to the role after being named National Album Day champions last year, echoed her thoughts, saying albums had “always been” the soundtrack to their lives.
“Listening to a favourite album is a form of escapism, losing yourself in another world. They’re portals to different moments in time, each one marking a significant memory. They are often a source of comfort, love, joy, or healing,” the duo added.
“We will always treasure the album format, it’s the only way artists can truly share their whole story. A single just isn’t enough to capture the full picture! Put on your favourite albums today and reminisce about the first time they stole your heart. You’re guaranteed to be slingshot through the many eras of your life. Hold on tight and enjoy the ride!”
Brighton-based metalcore band Architects, who dropped ‘The Sky, the Earth & All Between‘ this year, said “albums have always been a big deal” for them, hence why they’ve “ended up with so many in our back catalogue,” said Sam Carter. “Each one takes me right back to the time we recorded it whenever I listen to them. I feel like albums soundtrack the most important moments in our lives, and whenever you listen to them, they take you right back. I hope albums always remain as important to music lovers as they are now.”
Heavy metal vets Iron Maiden will also lend a hand as Album champions, having celebrated 50 years of releasing them as a unit this year.
“Albums matter,” vocalist Bruce Dickinson said. “They always have not just to Maiden but to all of the band members that have done solo projects – none of them have just toured – they have always recorded and released product too – especially me!
“The rush of first seeing the vinyl or the CD or back in the day the cassette for the first time never leaves you, and it’s great that fans are coming full circle to enjoy the totemistic experience that was lost for a while in this digital era.”
Maiden’s long-time manager also weighed in, and said the enduring appeal of the album wasn’t going anywhere. “Back in the day,” he said, “and before the internet made the smallest snippet of conjecture about a band into global news, we had to rely on the release of a new album to do the heavy-lifting for us – it would herald new music of course, but also launch a tour, market the band to a wider audience with the title and the cover and – the bit I always loved – birthed a new Eddie [Iron Maiden mascot]!
“When things really exploded for Maiden back in 1982, with ‘The Number of The Beast’, the band were still finishing the album right up to going out on tour to promote it! They were different times and an amazing experience to connect with our fans.”
