Max HeyraudThis year’s Mercury Prize represents dance music’s growing influence in contemporary pop culture, with Barry Can’t Swim, Charli xcx, and Nia Archives up for the prestigious award, as well as Irish artist CMAT, Beth Gibbons of Portishead, and others.
Nia Archives‘ ‘Silence is Loud’ became the first jungle album to be nominated for the Mercury Prize in 26 years. She’s joined by fellow electronic music artist Barry Can’t Swim, who brings his house music leaning record ‘When Will We Land’ to the shortlist, as well as Charli xcx for her album ‘brat’; this is her second nomination, following one for her 2020 album, How I’m Feeling Right Now.
The Mercury Prize honours and celebrates the ‘Albums of the Year’, creating a reputation for recognising the work of both new talent and established bands and artists. An impartial judging group selects the 12 ‘Albums of the Year’, which reward creative brilliance across a variety of genres. Albums by British and Irish musicians having UK release dates between July 15, 2023 and July 12, 2024, are eligible for the 2024 Prize.
The 2024 Mercury Award Shortlist
Barry Can’t Swim – When Will We Land?
Berwyn – Who Am I
Beth Gibbons – Lives Outgrown
Cat Burns – Early Twenties
Charli xcx – Brat
CMAT – Crazymad, for Me
Corinne Bailey Rae – Black Rainbows
corto.alto – Bad With Names
English Teacher – This Could Be Texas
Ghetts – On Purpose, With Purpose
Nia Archives – Silence Is Loud
The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy
