MUMBAI: The Mercury Prize is an annual music prize awarded for the Best Album from the United Kingdom and Ireland. Entering its 23rd year, the panelists of musicians, producers, journalists, organisers and other figures announced the list of albums and artists nominated for this year. Here are the 12 artists nominated for the Mercury Prize
SOAK –‘Before We Forgot How To Dream’
SOAK (or Bridie Monds-Watson), the Irish songwriter, released her debut album in May 2015. Often described as ‘a vivid portrait of teenage deep-thinking’, SOAK previously grabbed attention with her debut single “Sea Creatures” from the album, earlier this year.
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Jamie xx- ‘In Colour’
Jamie xx, from the British act The xx, becomes another artist to be nominated after the release of his debut album. ‘In Colours’ is the DJ’s first studio album as an independent act.
Benjamin Clamentine- ‘Atleast For Now’
British-French singer-poet Benjamin had two EPs to his name and released his debut album ‘Atleast For Now’ in January, this year. The pianist/poet/songwriter, dubbed as the future of British music industry, was praised by Paul McCartney, Bjork and several other artists. The Mercury Prize nominations further justifies the singer’s talent and promise.
Florence and The Machine- ‘How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful’
The album is the third by the British indie rock band, which is lead by Florence Welch. Released on 29 May 2015, ‘How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful’ comprises 11 tracks.
Chris Duncan- ‘Architect’
The composer released his first single ‘For’ in December 2014. however, waited till the summer of 2015 to release his debut album ‘Architect’. Another debutant in the list, Duncan is the only Scottish musician to be nominated this year.
Roisin Murphy- ‘Hairless Toys’
Irish singer, Roisin, is known for her experiments to create the unique sound released on her debut album ‘Ruby Blue’ in June 2005. Failing to make it commercially successful, the singer’s new album ‘Hairless Toys’ could be a ‘reinvention’ of the songwriter.
Wolf Alice- ‘My Love Is Cool’
Alternative Rock band, Wolf Alice, released ‘My Love Is Cool’ on 22 June 2015. The single from the album- ‘Moaning Lisa Smile’, was ranked at number nine on Billboard’s Top 10 for Alternative Songs. The 13-track album is the band’s debut (since forming in 2010), and is produced by Mike Crossey under the label Dirty Hit Records.
Aphex Twin- ‘Syro’
Aphex Twin is an electronic project by Irish born composer and musician Richard James. ‘Syro’ is the first studio album by the composer under the pseudonym Aphex Twin, released on 19 September 2014. Previously, he released five albums under different stage names.
Ghost Poet- ‘Shedding Skin’
Shedding Skin is the third album by British musician Obaro Ejimiwe, better known as Ghost Poet. Moreover, ‘Shedding Skin’ becomes his second album to be nominated for the Mercury Prize, after ‘Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam’ – his debut released in 2011.
Gaz Coombes- ‘Matador’
Gareth “Gaz” Coombes, better known as the lead vocalist and guitarist for English alternative rock band Supergrass, released his debut solo album- ‘Here Come the Bombs’ in 2012. His latest album ‘Matador’ released on 26 January 2015, reached number 18 on the UK Albums Chart, before getting nominated for this year’s Mercury Prize.
ESKA- ‘ESKA’
Zimbabwe-born British multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Eska Mtungwazi released her debut solo project titled ‘Gatekeeper’ EP on her own Earthling Recording label in 2013. The musician has since been working on her eponymous debut studio album- ‘ESKA’, which later released on 26 April 2015.
Slaves- ‘Are You Satisfied’
Three years after releasing their first EP ‘Sugar Coated Bitter Truth’, Slaves released their debut studio album- ‘Are You Satisfied’ on 11 May 2015. The 13-track album comprises of 4 bonus tracks, later released in June 2015. The punk band duo from Kent creates music that is described as ‘British Punk with harshy bluesy garage riffs.’
