The nominees for the 2022 edition of the Mercury Prize have been announced, with Harry Styles and Sam Fender two of the most commercially successful artists included on the shortlist. The 12 contending albums were revealed at a special launch event hosted by BBC Music’s Huw Stephens.
Established in 1992, the Mercury Prize is comparable to the Australian Music Prize, with a number of industry figures naming the best album released in the United Kingdom by a British or Irish act. Recent years have seen the likes of Arlo Parks, Michael Kiwanuka and Wolf Alice take out the award.
Sam Fender – ‘Seventeen Going Under’
This year, albums from Fergus McCreadie, Gwenno, Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler, Nova Twins, Little Simz and Self Esteem are all nominated for the major prize. The prize also sees buzz acts like Wet Leg and Joy Crookes going up against more established names such as Harry Styles and Sam Fender.
“Getting down to 12 albums this year was not easy, simply because there were so many remarkable ones to choose from,” judges of the Mercury Prize said in a statement. “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.”
The winning album will be announced on Thursday, 8th September during an awards show at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London.
2022 Mercury Prize Nominees
- 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
Further Reading
Sam Fender Announces 2022 Australian Headline Tour
Wet Leg Review – A Night Sydney Fans Won’t Take For Granted
Harry Styles Copenhagen Show Cancelled After Fatal Shooting Near Venue
