Bookies favourite Damon Albarn has declared himself ‘happy’ with the Mercury Prize nomination for his debut solo album ‘Everyday Robots‘ after he famously asked to be withdrawn from the 2001 shortlist when his cartoon band Gorillaz were put in the race courtesy of their own first LP.
At that time, Gorillaz described a Mercury nomination as ‘having an albatross around your neck for all eternity’, but Albarn’s spokesperson has given a far more welcoming response to NME this time, saying that ‘Damon is very happy to be nominated’.
Albarn currently has odds 4/1 to go home with the prestigious prize next month, as do Royal Blood who are once again leading the way for rock with their self-titled debut album.
A little further back Kate Tempest is, if you ask us, a leading contender to come out on top. Her LP ‘Everybody Down‘ is at 6/1.