Damon Albarn, Nick Mulvey, Kate Tempest, Young Fathers & East India Youth are joined by second timers Anna Calvi and Polar Bear and recent chart toppers Royal Blood amongst the 12 albums nominated for this year’s Mercury Prize. The 12 records were selected from a total of 220 releases.
Simon Frith, Chair of Judges, says : “This year’s Barclaycard Mercury Prize shortlist confirms that these are fascinating times for UK music”
“There are seven outstanding debut albums here, and five records by more established artists, all pursuing exciting new directions. What most impressed the judges was the inventive passion with which musicians explore music and emotional possibilities, refusing to be pinned down by rules or genre.”
The shortlist was announced at The Hospital Club in London. The overall winner will be announced at the Barclaycard Mercury Prize Awards Show at the Roundhouse on Wednesday 29 October.
The 2014 Albums of the Year are:
Anna Calvi
One Breath
Bombay Bicycle Club
So Long, See You Tomorrow
Damon Albarn
Everyday Robots
East India Youth
Total Strife Forever
FKA twigs
LP1
GoGo Penguin
v2.0
Jungle
Jungle
Kate Tempest
Everybody Down
Nick Mulvey
First Mind
Polar Bear
In Each and Every One
Royal Blood
Royal Blood
Young Fathers
Dead
Who do you think deserves the Mercury Music Prize this year?!
