The 2023 Mercury Prize with FREE NOW shortlist has been revealed, highlighting the best albums from the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The Mercury Prize is designed to celebrate music across all genres. Established in 1992, this year’s prize is open to albums released between 16th July 2022 and 14th July 2023. Last year’s award was won by Little Simz, for her fourth album ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’, after previously being nominated for her 2019 album ‘Grey Area’ in 2019.
This year’s shortlist reads:
Arctic Monkeys – The Car
Ezra Collective – Where I’m Meant to Be
Fred again.. – Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022)
J Hus – Beautiful And Brutal Yard
Jessie Ware – That! Feels Good!
Jockstrap – I Love You Jennifer B
Lankum – False Lankum
Loyle Carner – hugo
Olivia Dean – Messy
RAYE – My 21st Century Blues
Shygirl – Nymph
Young Fathers – Heavy Heavy
The winner, who will also receive a cheque for £25,000, will be announced at the Awards Show held at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, on 7th September.
The shortlist is chosen by an independent panel of experts from the music industry, based solely on the musical merit of the albums. This year’s judges are: Anna Calvi – Musician, Songwriter & Composer; Danielle Perry – Broadcaster & Writer; Hannah Peel – Musician, Songwriter & Composer; Jamie Cullum – Musician & Broadcaster; Jamz Supernova – Broadcaster & DJ; Jeff Smith – Head of Music, 6 Music & Radio 2; Lea Stonhill – Music Programming Consultant; Mistajam – Songwriter, DJ & Broadcaster; Phil Alexander – Creative Director, Kerrang!/Contributing Editor, Mojo; Sian Eleri – Broadcaster & DJ, Tshepo Mokoena – Music Writer & Author; Will Hodgkinson – Chief Rock & Pop Critic, The Times. The Chair of the judging team is Jeff Smith.
