The nominees for this year Barclaycard Mercury Prize have been revealed. The prize seeks to celebrate the best British and Irish music, covering all genres and taking into account “nothing more than the music on the album”. This year’s shortlist includes Jessie Ware rightly getting a nod with her album Devotion, along with veteran-guitarist Richard Hawley (who seems to be a fixture on each list when he has an album out), and semi-verteran-indie-rock-composers Field Music for thier album Plumb. The winner will be annouced on November 1st, most likely with the usual ceremonial show which includes live performances from the nominated acts. If you live in the UK, you can watch the “Albums of The Year” launch tonight at 12.10am on Channel 4. Check out the full shortlist below.
Jessie Ware – Devotion
Django Django – Django Django
The Maccabees – Given to the Wild
Roller Trio – Roller Trio
Richard Hawley – Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Field Music – Plumb
Michael Kiwanuka – Home Again
Ben Howard – Every Kingdom
Plan B – Ill Manners
Alt-J – An Awesome Wave
Lianne La Havas – Is Your Love Big Enough
Sam Lee – Ground of Its Own
