The Mercury Prize [1] has in fact returned for its 30th year running, and this year's shortlist is seriously impressive. The annual prize is typically awarded for the best album released in the United Kingdom by a British or Irish act and has seen some incredible names on the list in previous years, including Dave [2], Michael Kiwanuka, Sampha, and Skepta.
This year's shortlist features a number of first-time nominees, with 10 out of the 12 artists having albums that are nominated for the first time. The list includes soul-wrenching songstress Arlo Parks [3], a saxophonist called Nubya Garcia, and R&B newcomer Berwyn who was nominated with a debut mixtape alone. Berwyn's also one of the few artists on the list that doesn't yet hold a British passport, which was something that previously made artists ineligible for the award.
Read on to find out more about this year's Mercury Prize shortlist.
Berwyn
Berywn [4] is a Trinidad-born rapper, producer, and songwriter who is currently based in London. His musical journey began as a result of a schoolteacher he had at Royal Liberty School who ignited his love of folk music, along with his DJ dad and his musical family. On his nomination, the rapper said that he was "Very proud to say I'm first person to be nominated for a Mercury for just a mixtape alone. Here's to many many more."
Arlo Parks
Arlo Parks [5] is a British singer-songwriter and poet. She released her debut album, Collapsed In Sunbeams, just last year and has since become a firm favourite with soul music-lovers everywhere. On her nomination, Parks shared that she was "Honoured to have been nominated for the 2021 Hyundai Mercury prize!! What a surreal moment - I'm so happy to be recognised in this big, pure way."
Black Country, New Road
Black Country, New Road are an English rock band made up of Isaac Wood, Tyler Hyde, Lewis Evans, Georgia Ellery, May Kershaw, Charlie Wayne, and Luke Mark. Described as alternative, indie, and experimental rock, the band just released their debut album, For the first time.
Celeste
Celeste is an American-British singer and songwriter. Back in 2019, the artist won the Rising Star award [6] at the Brits and topped the BBC's annual "Sound of 2019" poll. In 2021, she released her debut album, Not Your Muse.
Floating Points
Sam Shepherd is an electronic music producer, DJ, and artist, who goes by the name of Floating Points. He's also the cofounder of a label called Eglo Records and leader of a 16-piece group called Floating Points Ensemble.
Ghetts
Ghetts is a British grime MC, rapper, and songwriter. His third studio album, Conflict of Interest, which released this year, is what cemented his place on this year's Mercury Prize shortlist.
Hannah Peel
Hannah Peel is a music producer, Emmy-nominated composer, and BBC Radio 3 broadcaster from Northern Ireland. Her album, Fir Wave, was nominated for this year's Mercury Prize award and was self-released back in March 2021. The artist shared the news on Twitter, with a caption that read "THANK YOU to all who supported, shared and wrote about my self-released electronic record. For the quiet voices. A dream come true."
Laura Mvula
Laura Mvula [7] is a British recording artist, songwriter, and composer from Birmingham. The artist released a comeback record, Pink Noise, in 2021 after an eight-year break from making music, which landed her the nomination for this year's Mercury Prize.
Mogwai
Mogwai are a Scottish postrock band that started in Glasgow in 1995. The band consists of Stuart Braithwaite, Barry Burns, Dominic Aitchison, and Martin Bulloch, and they released a brand new album this year, called As The Love Continues.
Nubya Garcia
Nubya Garcia is an English jazz musician, saxophonist, and composer from Camden, London. Her debut jazz album, Source, was released back in 2020 and is no doubt what helped her to land a spot on the Mercury Prize shortlist.
Sault
Sault are a British music collective known for their compilations of rhythm and blues, house music, and disco. The band pretty much chooses to remain anonymous, and there's still plenty of intrigue and mystery amongst their fan base.
Wolf Alice
Wolf Alice are an English alternative rock band that was initially formed as a duo in 2010. Back then, the band consisted of singer Ellie Rowsell and guitarist Joff Oddie, but now also features bassist Theo Ellis and drummer Joel Amey.