The nominations have been revealed for this years Mercury Prize for Best British Album.
Long considered one of British music’s most prestigious awards, the Mercury Prize – sponsored and presented by Barclaycard – has been awarded annually since 1992 for the best album by a UK artist.
As ever, the nominees list for 2013 is dominated by young, often indie, artists – though one exception lies in the inclusion of David Bowie’s 24th album, ‘The Next Day’, which was heralded as a sharp return to form for the glam-rock icon.
Nearly half of the nominees are debut efforts, with Nottingham singer-songwriter Jake Bugg’s self-titled debut receiving recognition, along with Birmingham soul musician Laura Mvula’s, ‘Sing to the Moon’, and ‘Silence Yourself’, the first release from all-female post-punk quartet Savages.
Clifton artist Jake Bugg’s saw his debut nominated.
Electronic music has fared especially well this year, with nominations given to James Blake’s sophomore album ‘Overgrown’ (marking his second nomination in as many albums), as well as to ‘Settle’ the debut album by sibling duo Disclosure, electronica artist John Hopkins’ fourth release, ‘Immunity’, and to ‘Home’, the debut effort from drum-and-bass quartet Rudimental.
Hampshire indie-folk songstress Laura Marling’s ‘Once I Was An Eagle’ also made the shortlist, giving an impressive record of three of her four albums receiving nominations. Fellow indie-folkers, Ireland’s Villagers also have reason to celebrate, with both their albums to date now having received nominations.
Laura Marling received her third nomination.
Two of the more established bands on the list also see their second nomination – Oxford indie quintet Foals’ third album, ‘Holy Fire’, and, the most recent release to appear on the shortlist, renowned Sheffield rockers Arctic Monkeys – who won the award with their debut back in 2006 – with their fifth release, ‘AM’.
The judging panel – consisting of musicians, journalists and other music professionals – selected the nominees from 220 candidates submitted to them.
Although the list is just about varied enough to satisfy most, there are some notable emissions which will divide the crowds – bookies favourite London Grammar failed to make the list despite their favourable odds. Scottish alt-rock giants Biffy Clyro, who cracked the list with their fifth album in 2009, failed to repeat the accolade with their 2013 sixth effort, ‘Opposites’, as did the much anticipated debut, ‘180’ from London indie-rockers Palma Violets. And, as ever, hard rock and metal gets the middle finger from Mercury, with not a trace to be seen, despite several potential candidates – notably ‘13’ the triumphant return from British metal titans Black Sabbath.
The awards ceremony will take place on October 30th, at the Roundhouse Theatre in London.
Below is the full list of nominees:
- Arctic Monkeys – ‘AM’
- David Bowie – ‘The Next Day’
- Disclosure – ‘Settle’
- Foals – ‘Holy Fire’
- James Blake – ‘Overgrown’
- Jake Bugg – ‘Jake Bugg’
- Jon Hopkins – ‘Immunity’
- Laura Marling – ‘Once I Was An Eagle’
- Laura Mvula – ‘Sing To The Moon’
- Rudimental – ‘Home’
- Savages – ‘Silence Yourself’
- Villagers – ‘{Awayland}’
