Mercury Prize reveal nominees for the 2023 award

It's that time of year again, when the British music scene looks back on the past year's musical output and selects 12 albums from the fore that truly stood out. Yes, that's right, the 2023 Mercury Prize nominees have been announced and there are some serious decisions to be made about who takes it, as each and every album is absolutely top-class. 

Arctic Monkeys have received their fifth nomination, from seven albums, making them joint top for nominations alongside Radiohead. Four acts J Hus, Loyle Carner, Jessie Ware, and Young Fathers, have all received their second nomination. Three acts have received first-time nominations with returning efforts, such acts include Ezra Collective, Fred Again, and Lankum. Plus, four acts, have received nominations for debut efforts, these include Jockstrap, Olivia Dean, Shygirl, and Raye.

Image: Mercury Prize on Facebook

So yeah, it's as we said, absolutely impossible to choose! So we're glad it isn't up to us.

Who it is up to, is instead a huge group of artists and industry professionals that include the likes of: 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. with the Chair of the judging team being Jeff Smith.

The 2023 Awards Show will take place on Thursday 7th September at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith. As always, the Mercury Prize will be a spectacle to watch, with live performances from many of the shortlisted artists, and the evening culminating in the announcement of the overall winner of the 2023 Mercury Prize with FREENOW ‘Album of the Year’.

Check out the full list below:

Arctic Monkeys - The Car (Read our review - HERE)

Ezra Collective - Where I’m Meant to Be

Fred again... - Actual Life 3 (Read our review - HERE)

J Hus - Beautiful And Brutal Yard

Jessie Ware - That! Feels Good!

Jockstrap - I Love You Jennifer B

Lankum - False Lankum

Loyle Carner - hugo (Read our review - HERE)

Olivia Dean - Messy

RAYE - My 21st Century Blues

Check out our What's On Guide to discover more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

Header image credit: Mercury Prize on Facebook