Mercury Prize 2024: The complete shortlist of nominees
The annual Mercury Prize is the most prestigious award in the British and Irish music calendar, celebrating the last year in music by shining a light on 12 albums released during that time period with the shortlist now revealed for the 2024 iteration.
In 2023, Ezra Collective beat competition from previous winners Arctic Monkeys and Young Fathers, as well as Fred Again, Loyle Carner, and Lankum with Where I’m Meant To Be. Meanwhile, in 2022, Little Simz was victorious thanks to Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, defeating LPs from Self Esteem, Wet Leg and Sam Fender.
While the shortlist, which has been created by a number of esteemed industry figures in British music such as Jamie Cullum, Jamz Supernova and Sian Eleri, has thrown up surprises in the form of corto.alto and Berwyn, The Last Dinner Party will be one of the favourites for the award with their debut album, Prelude To Ecstasy.
The LP, released in February, topped the charts and was also the biggest-selling debut album during the first week of sales by a British band in nine years, shifting 32,800 units. The Last Dinner Party have enjoyed a triumphant year since the release of breakthrough single, ‘Nothing Matters’, and glory at the Mercury’s would be the icing on the cake for the London five-piece.
In a four-and-a-half-star review of their debut album, Prelude to Ecstasy, Far Out wrote: “Immersion is almost inevitable on their highly anticipated debut album, which delivers emotional ecstasy and agony in equal measure. The record is guided by Abigail Morris’s fluttering vocals, which contemplate envy, indecision and desire with unparalleled intent.”
Elsewhere, English Teacher received a nomination for their debut album, This Could Be Texas. The Leeds band have been on a meteoric rise over the last couple of years, and while they aren’t as widely renowned as other nominees such as Charli XCX, they should be considered among favourites for the prize.
Portishead singer Beth Gibbons has also been shortlisted for her long-awaited debut solo album, Lives Outgrown. Gibbons said of her nomination: “Really great surprise to be part of the 12 Mercury albums of the year, something I never expected. Big thanks to all who have supported the album, it means so much.”
The winner of the Mercury Prize is set to be announced in September, but unlike previous years, the 12 artists nominated for the award will not take to the stage during the ceremony. However, the organisers of the event have re-affirmed their commitment to ensuring the acts involved still receive heightened exposure.
In a statement, Dr Jo Twist OBE, CEO of the BPI, explained the decision to alter the format for this year’s event, stating the new method will benefit the nominees, “We are delighted to deepen our relationship with our long-term partner BBC Music to promote the Prize across its networks, including its national broadcast and digital channels, to ensure the greatest possible impact and profile as part of a wider campaign to support the artists who produced the 12 Albums of the Year.”
She also promised that the Mercury Prize will “work imaginatively with the BBC” across all platforms with the aim to “benefit all 12 artists in reaching a wider audience, providing an important platform for their evolving career and musical journey.”
A specific date and venue for the ceremony is yet to be revealed.
Mercury Prize 2024: The complete list of nominated albums:
- Barry Can’t Swim – When Will We Land?
- BERWYN – Who Am I
- Beth Gibbons – Lives Outgrown
- Cat Burns – early twenties
- Charli xcx – BRAT
- CMAT – Crazymad, for Me
- Corinne Bailey Rae – Black Rainbows
- corto.alto – Bad with Names
- English Teacher – This Could Be Texas
- Ghetts – On Purpose, With Purpose
- Nia Archives – Silence Is Loud
- The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy
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