Arlo Parks by Jack Bridgland
The 2021 Mercury Prize ceremony will take place at London’s Eventim Apollo on September 9th.
Arlo Parks looks like a clear early favourite for the 2021 Mercury Prize after its shortlist was announced today.
The judging panel, which includes last year’s winner Michael Kiwanuka, have released a joint statement praising the depth of talent on show this year.
“It is testament to the strength of British music that, during a year which saw musicians face the toughest challenges of their lives, so many remarkable albums came out nonetheless,” it reads.
“There was an embarrassment of riches for this year’s Hyundai Mercury Prize judges to choose from, but the final twelve show how diverse, vibrant and far-reaching British music continues to be. Choosing one winner out of twelve albums that bring so much hope for the future will be a challenge indeed.”
Some of the other nominees include Wolf Alice, who get their third consecutive place on the shortlist thanks to Blue Weekend, and Black Country, New Road courtesy of their debut album ‘For the first time’.
2021 Mercury Prize shortlist:
Arlo Parks – Collapsed In Sunbeams
BERWYN – DEMOTAPE/VEGA
Black Country, New Road – For the first time
Celeste – Not Your Muse
Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra – Promises
Ghetts – Conflict Of Interest
Hannah Peel – Fir Wave
Laura Mvula – Pink Noise
Mogwai – As The Love Continues
Nubya Garcia – SOURCE
SAULT – Untitled (Rise)
Wolf Alice – Blue Weekend