FEATURE:
Mercury Prize Predictions
IN THIS PHOTO: Loyle Carner released hopefully ! on 20th June
Songs from Albums That Could Appear on This Year’s Shortlist
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IT is not…
IN THIS PHOTO: English Teacher picked up last year’s Mercury Prize for This Could Be Texas/PHOTO CREDIT: John Marshall/JM Enternational
too long now until this year’s shortlist for the Mercury Prize is announced. On 25th July, 2024, the twelve contenders were named. In an especially strong year, it was English Teacher’s This Could Be Texas that won the prize. Beating off contenders such as Charli xcx, CMAT, The Last Dinner Party and Ghetts, it was a popular choice. The award finally being given to a band who did not hail from London. Originally, anyway. With the Mercury Prize doggedly and predictably handing out the award to London artists every year, it was in danger of excluding artists from other parts of the U.K. and Ireland. This year will see some London-based artists in connection. However, there is no telling which twelve albums will make the shortlist. I do like to make predictions. This year’s shortlist is announced on Wednesday, 10th September. The 2025 Award Show will be held on Thursday, 16th October at the Utilita Arena, Newcastle. We have a little while to wait. However, as we are just over a couple of months away from the shortlist announcement, I wanted to make my prediction. The twelve albums released between Saturday, 13th July, 2024 and Friday, 29th August, 2025 will go up against each other In October. I will write a feature about the shortlisted albums when they are announced. Right now, as so many great albums from British and Irish artists have been released since last July, it is a good moment to reflect and combine those that are in with a shout of Mercury Prize shortlisting. You might agree with the selection of have those you would include instead. I have selected a song from each of the twelve albums. Hare are artists I feel will be in the running when the Mercury Prize…
SHORTLIST is announced.