
Mercury Prize has revealed this year's 12 shortlisted albums
Twelve albums are in the running, with the ceremony heading to Newcastle in October.
About This Track
‘Tar’ by JADE is a 2025 song about bad thoughts clinging like a stain, with the singer weighing self-image against imposter syndrome. The lyrics move through dark, self-mocking imagery, from “sticking pins” and a voodoo doll to a teddy bear losing its head, while the repeated sense of waiting for something terrible to happen keeps the tone anxious. Against that spiral, there is a jolt of defiant self-presentation, summarised in the line about looking good while the lipstick stays put, even as the mind keeps turning.
"Tar" is a track by JADE, released 5th December 2025. Full lyrics are available below. Dork has published 17 articles about JADE.
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