MediaTracks Album Awards 2026

The inaugural MediaTracks Annual Awards were created to recognise the outstanding music, creativity, and impact delivered by our artist community across the year.

All awards are based on tracks released during 2025, and reflect not just musical excellence, but editorial trust, sync success, and long-term catalogue value.

These awards also sit firmly within our ethos:

• Championing artist individuality
• Supporting underrepresented voices and new talent
• Rewarding music that genuinely works
• Building a catalogue defined by quality, not volume

🏆 Sync of the Year

Iain Farrington

Awarded for the most impactful, well-placed, or strategically significant sync placement of the year. This award recognises music that doesn’t just land in a production - it elevates it.

🌟 Breakthrough Artist of the Year

Evie Kitching
Recognising a new MediaTracks artist who made an immediate and meaningful impact across releases, briefs, or editorial adoption.

🤝 Collaboration of the Year

Ross Lydon & Tarju Le’Sano
Celebrating projects where collaboration enhanced both creative outcome and editorial usefulness - a core part of how we build music at MediaTracks.

💎 Hidden Gem Award

Tomasz Bura

For music that grows in value over time through discovery, repeat use, or strong editor advocacy - the kind of catalogue longevity we actively champion.

🎼 Best Instrumentation & Musical Craft

Hayley Cramer & Sian Monaghan
Awarded for excellence in arrangement, performance, and instrumental decision-making in service of picture and narrative.

⚡ Best Opening & Editorial Hook

Adam Helel & James Nicolaou
For music that establishes tone, intent, and emotional direction immediately - working from the first frame in edit.

❤️ Best Emotional Impact

David Denyer & William Farmer
Recognising music that delivers clear emotional payoff and meaningfully enhances storytelling on screen.

🔊 Best Sonic Identity

Lani Stephens
For a body of work with a distinctive, confident sonic fingerprint - ownable, recognisable, and aligned with modern briefs.

🧩 Best Editorial Utility

Ben Parry
Awarded to music that consistently performs in real-world edits - flexible, adaptable, and trusted by editors.

💿 Album of the Year

Noelle Vanyi & Matt Sanchez
Recognising musicality, authenticity, and strong editor feedback across a complete album body of work.

👑 Artist of the Year

Lani Stephens
Awarded for standout creative contribution across the catalogue - combining musical quality, reliability, and clear editorial value.

Why These Awards Matter

The MediaTracks Album Awards are about more than recognition. They reflect how we measure success as a company and community.

We believe production music succeeds when it:

• Supports story first
• Delivers emotional clarity
• Works technically in edit
• Builds long-term catalogue value
• Creates real opportunity for artists

Looking Ahead

The success of 2025 sets the benchmark for the years ahead. As we continue expanding our catalogue, supporting new voices, and building deeper relationships with editors and productions worldwide, these awards will become an important annual moment to celebrate the people and music driving MediaTracks forward.