Mercury Prize 2022: Harry Styles, Wet Leg and Sam Fender nominated
Nova Twins, Self Esteem and Little Simz are also nominated for the prize, will be revealed in September
The shortlist for the 2022 Mercury Prize has been revealed, with Harry Styles, Wet Leg and Sam Fender among the 12 names up for the prestigious award.
As revealed live on BBC Radio 6 Music this morning (26 July), the likes of Little Simz, Self Esteem, Nova Twins and more are also in with a chance of picking up the 2022 prize.
The list was picked by a judging panel that includes Annie Macmanus, Loyle Carner and Jamie Cullum alongside previous Mercury Prize nominees Anna Calvi and Hazel Wilde (of Lanterns on the Lake).
Also among the 12 names are Gwenno, Yard Act, Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler, Joy Crookes, Kojey Radical, and Fergus McCreadie.
The winner of this year’s prize will be revealed in a live ceremony at London’s Eventim Apollo on 8 September.
Reflecting on the shortlist, the judging panel said in a joint statement: “Getting down to 12 albums this year was not easy, simply because there were so many remarkable ones to choose from. That serves as proof that British & Irish music thrives during unsettled periods in history, with the albums chosen covering everything from imaginative pop to pioneering rap to Cornish language folk-rock.
“We feel that these 12 amazing albums each have something to say artistically and socially, all in their own unique, enriching ways. Now comes the really hard part… choosing only one overall winner.”
According to Ladbrokes, Wet Leg are the favourites to pick up the 2022 prize for their self-titled debut album at 5/2, with Little Simz (Sometimes I Might Be Introvert) and Self Esteem (Prioritise Pleasure) other hot tips.
Prior to the release of the shortlist, the likes of PinkPantheress (To hell with it), Dave (We’re All Alone in This Together) Fontaines D.C. (Skinty Fia) and Kae Tempest (The Line is a Curve) were also in the running, but eventually didn’t make the shortlist.
See the full list of names below.
Mercury Prize 2022 shortlist
Fergus McCreadie, Forest Floor
Gwenno, Tresor
Harry Styles, Harry’s House
Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler, For All Our Days That Tear the Heart
Joy Crookes, Skin
Kojey Radical, Reason to Smile
Little Simz, Sometimes I Might be Introvert
Nova Twins, Supernova
Sam Fender, Seventeen Going Under
Self Esteem, Prioritise Pleasure
Wet Leg, Wet Leg
Yard Act, The Overload