Wolf Alice (Credit: Boston and Lynchpin)
The Mercury Prize 2015 shortlist nominees have been revealed including Aphex Twin, Wolf Alice and Florence and the Machine.
The Mercury Prize 2015 nominees have been revealed with several surprises on a hugely diverse shortlist. The winner will be selected from the 12 nominees, who were revealed live on Lauren Laverne‘s morning show on BBC 6 Music, and will be announced at a ceremony on November 20. The judges for this years prize include the chairman of the award Simon Frith, XFM’s John Kennedy, NME‘s Greg Cochrane plus musicians Anna Calvi and Nick Mulvey.
Former winners of the Mercury Prize include Young Fathers, James Blake and Alt-J.
Gaz Coombes at Sound City 2015
The Mercury Prize 2015 shortlist is as follows:
Aphex Twin: Syro
Read Jonny Davis‘ feature on the genius of Aphex Twin and his album Syro
Benjamin Clementine: At Least For Now
C Duncan: Architect
Eska: Eska
Read Shaun Ponsonby‘s preview of Eska’s headline slot at Liverpool SoulFest
Florence and the Machine: How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
Gaz Coombes: Matador
Read Adam Lowerson‘s review of Gaz Coombes at Sound City 2015
Ghostpoet: Shedding Skin
Read Patrick Clarke’s review of Ghostpoet’s Kazimier show
Jamie xx: In Colour
Read Stephanie Heneghan’s review of Jamie xx at the Shipping Forecast
Róisín Murphy: Hairless Toys
Slaves: Are You Satisfied?
Read Vicky Pea‘s review of Slave‘s set at the Shipping Forecast
SOAK: Before We Forgot How To Dream
Wolf Alice: My Love Is Cool
Read Joshua Gorman‘s review of Wolf Alice at Liverpool Sound City
Slaves at the Shipping Forecast
So, what have we learnt from that lot?
a) It’s probably the most curve-ball year since 1996 when Mark Morrison, Courtney Pine, Norma Waterson plus Peter Maxwell Davies and the BBC Philharmonic were nominated. Having said that Pulp won it that year so don’t be surprised to see a Big Gun take the main prize.
b) Guitars really are out in Mercury land.
c) No Jane Weaver. Jeeeeez.
d) There’s no folk or jazz albums – after years of promoting artists from both fields, the Mercury have seemingly ditched this thing.
e) Having tied in with new partners BBC Music, dragging the shortlist out over three hours on Lauren‘s show was a bit underwhelming to be honest.
f) Our Predictometer was well off this year managing to select just four nominees. Well, we did warn you. Having said that, hats off to anyone who got more than six.
The Mercury Prize winner will be revealed at Broadcasting House in London on Friday November 20.
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