{"id":2069070,"date":"2026-07-30T09:45:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T06:45:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2069070"},"modified":"2026-07-30T09:45:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T06:45:21","slug":"mercury-prize-2026-check-out-this-years-shortlisted-albums","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2069070","title":{"rendered":"Mercury Prize 2026: check out this year\u2019s shortlisted albums"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/mercury_prize_2026.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"template-id-2749694\" class=\"post-2749694 tdb_templates type-tdb_templates status-publish post\">\n<div id=\"tdi_65\" class=\"tdc-zone\">\n<div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_66  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div id=\"tdi_67\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_68  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_70  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_breadcrumbs tdi_71 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-breadcrumbs \" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_71\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span>News<\/span><span>Music News<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_title tdi_72 tdb-single-title td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_72\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Mercury Prize 2026: check out this year\u2019s shortlisted albums<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_73 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_73\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>See which UK and Irish albums made the cut and who got snubbed ahead of the winner being revealed in Newcastle in October<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_75 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_75\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> Andrew Trendell<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_76 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_76\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-30T10:45:21+01:00\">30th July 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_77\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_78  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_80  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span8\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_81 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_81\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/mercury_prize_2026-696x442.jpg\" alt=\"The Mercury Prize trophy (Photo by Euan Cherry\/Getty Images)\" title=\"Mercury Music Awards 2025 - Show\"><figcaption class=\"tdb-caption-text\">The Mercury Prize trophy (Photo by Euan Cherry\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_83 article-content-row vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_85  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>The full shortlist for the Mercury Prize 2026 has been revealed, with Paul McCartney, JADE, Nia Archives, Dave, Suede and the War Child \u2018Help(2)\u2018 compilation all among this year\u2019s nominated albums.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>READ MORE: James Ford talks us through the huge new War Child \u2018Help(2)\u2019 album \u2013 track-by-track<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The winner will be revealed on October 22 at Newcastle\u2019s Utilita Arena, returning after hometown hero Sam Fender bagged the prize last year for his third album \u2018People Watching\u2018.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<p>To be eligible for this year\u2019s prize, albums must have been released by British or Irish artists released between August 30 2025 and July 17 2026 (inclusive) \u2013 meaning that Charli XCX\u2019s recent \u2018Music, Fashion, Film\u2019 won\u2019t be able to enter until next year, while Nia Archives\u2018 acclaimed \u2018Emotional Junglist\u2019 just made the cut.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3959153\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3959153\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3959153\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/live-mercury-prize-2025.jpg\" alt=\"Mercury Prize awards\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3959153\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sam Fender on stage accepting the Mercury Music Prize for the album \u2018People Watching\u2019 2025 awards. CREDIT: JMEnternational\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Big names to make this year\u2019s 12 \u2018Albums of the Year\u2019 list include Dave with \u2018The Boy Who Played the Harp\u2019 after he won in 2019 with \u2018Psychodrama\u2018, Florence + The Machine being nominated for a fourth time with sixth LP \u2018Everybody Scream\u2019, Olivia Dean landing a second Mercury nod but this time for the hugely successful \u2018The Art Of Loving\u2018, RAYE returning this time for \u2018THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.\u2019 and Beatles icon Paul McCartney\u2018s reflective \u2018The Boys of Dungeon Lane\u2019 finding him on the Mercury shortlist for the first time.<\/p>\n<p>Elsewhere, War Child Records\u2019 indie star-studded charity compilation album \u2018Help(2)\u2018 \u2013 which featured the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Fontaines D.C., Depeche Mode, Damon Albarn, Young Fathers, English Teacher and Olivia Rodrigo \u2013 has found a spot on the shortlist, 20 years after the first \u2018Help\u2019 compilation managed to do so in 1996.<\/p>\n<p>Completing the list are \u201cgenerational voice\u201d Irish singer Dove Ellis with \u2018Blizzard\u2019, former Little Mix star JADE\u2019s huge solo debut \u2018THAT\u2019S SHOWBIZ BABY!\u2019, Geordie jazz and poetry outfit Knats with \u2018A Great Day In Newcastle\u2019 for the hometown crowd, Kojey Radical\u2019s making his second Mercury shortlist appearance with \u2018Don\u2019t Look Down\u2019, and art-rock veterans Suede returning with \u2018Antidepressants\u2019 \u2013 their third nomination, including a win for their self-titled debut in 1993.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\">\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<p>Surprise snubs in this year\u2019s shortlist include Lily Allen\u2019s \u2018West End Girl\u2018, Harry Styles\u2019 \u2018Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally\u2019, \u2018Essex Honey\u2019 by Blood Orange, Yard Act\u2019s new \u2018You\u2019re Gonna Need A Little Music\u2018, The Last Dinner Party\u2019s sophomore \u2018From The Pyre\u2018 and Boards Of Canada\u2019s long-awaited comeback LP, \u2018Inferno\u2018.<\/p>\n<p>The Mercury Prize ceremony in Newcastle in October will feature live performances from many of the artists, with coverage broadcast across the BBC.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>The full shortlist for the Mercury Prize 2026 is:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Dave \u2013 \u2018The Boy Who Played the Harp\u2019<br \/>\nDove Ellis \u2013 \u2018Blizzard\u2019<br \/>\nFlorence + The Machine \u2013 \u2018Everybody Scream\u2019<br \/>\nJADE \u2013 \u2018THAT\u2019S SHOWBIZ BABY!\u2019<br \/>\nKnats \u2013 \u2018A Great Day In Newcastle\u2019<br \/>\nKojey Radical \u2013 \u2018Don\u2019t Look Down\u2019<br \/>\nNia Archives \u2013 \u2018Emotional Junglist\u2019<br \/>\nOlivia Dean \u2013 \u2018The Art of Loving\u2019<br \/>\nPaul McCartney \u2013 \u2018The Boys of Dungeon Lane\u2019<br \/>\nRAYE \u2013 \u2018THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.\u2019<br \/>\nSuede \u2013 \u2018Antidepressants\u2019<br \/>\nWar Child Records \u2013 \u2018HELP(2)\u2019<\/p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Paul McCartney on honouring Lennon and George Harrison, duetting with Ringo Starr, and new album\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/afHEY-7_-JA?feature=oembed&amp;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<p>This year\u2019s victors will join the recent likes of English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Little Simz, Dave, Arlo Parks, Wolf Alice, Young Fathers and more, as well as legendary past winners such as Arctic Monkeys, Elbow, Pulp, Portishead, PJ Harvey and Franz Ferdinand.<\/p>\n<p>The winner will be decided by a judging panel made up of music writer and broadcaster Sophie Williams, <em>The Times<\/em>\u2018 rock and pop critic Will Hodgkinson, composer, DJ and radio broadcaster AFRODEUTSCHE, and broadcaster and musician Danielle Perry.<\/p>\n<p>Alongside them will be Radio 2\u2019s Jamie Cullum, Jeff Smith, Lea Stonhill, MistaJam, <em>Kerrang<\/em>\u2018s creative director Phil Alexander, Sian Eleri, with Jeff Smith The Chair of the judging team.<\/p>\n<p>Tickets to the Mercury Prize 2026 are on sale and available here.<\/p>\n<p>Last year\u2019s Mercury Prize saw nearly 8,000 visitors travel to Newcastle for the events, and generated a combined spend of \u00a3874,724. It also added an estimated \u00a3552,868 GVA to the regional economy, and led to 35 local people gaining work experience.<\/p>\n<div id=\"playlist-player-jwplayer\">\n<div class=\"playlist-player-container\">\n<p>After Sam Fender\u2019s win last year, he donated his \u00a325,000 prize money to the\u00a0Music Venue Trust\u00a0(MVT), while highlighting the importance of \u201cstruggling\u201d small gig spaces in the UK.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_tags tdi_87 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_87\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<ul class=\"tdb-tags\">\n<li><span>Related Topics<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dave<\/li>\n<li>Dove Ellis<\/li>\n<li>English Teacher<\/li>\n<li>Florence &amp; The Machine<\/li>\n<li>Jade Thirlwall<\/li>\n<li>Knats<\/li>\n<li>Kojey Radical<\/li>\n<li>Mercury Prize<\/li>\n<li>Nia Archives<\/li>\n<li>Olivia Dean<\/li>\n<li>Paul McCartney<\/li>\n<li>RAYE<\/li>\n<li>Suede<\/li>\n<li>The Beatles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_89 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>You May Also Like<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_91  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span4 td-is-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td-a-rec td-a-rec-id-sidebar  tdi_92 td_block_template_2\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap td_flex_block_1 tdi_93 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdc-no-posts td_flex_block\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_93\">\n<div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\">\n<h4 class=\"td-block-title\"><span class=\"td-pulldown-size\">TRENDING<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_93\" class=\"td_block_inner td-mc1-wrap\">\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">The NME Magazine July\/August 2026 issue is out this week \u2013 here\u2019s how to get your copy<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">\u2018Spider-Man: Brand New Day\u2019 review: is Tom Holland Marvel\u2019s new super-saviour?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">UK drill pioneer PS Hitsquad on his solo debut: \u201cI feel like I\u2019ve spent my whole life on license\u201d<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Chanel Beads: the stuff of waking dreams<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">\u2018Silent Hill\u2019s unsettling soundtrack was always meant to give you nightmares<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td-a-rec td-a-rec-id-custom_ad_1  tdi_94 td_block_template_2\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_95\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_96  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_98  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_100  vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_102  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_104 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>More Stories<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap td_flex_block_1 tdi_105 td-pb-border-top td_module_flex_1--card td_module_flex_1--card--highlight td_block_template_2 tdc-no-posts td_flex_block\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_105\">\n<div id=\"tdi_105\" class=\"td_block_inner td-mc1-wrap\">\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Mercury Prize 2026: shortlist announcement date and judging panel announced with tickets on sale now<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Mercury Prize to return to Newcastle for 2026<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Sam Fender donates \u00a325,000 Mercury Prize winnings to Music Venue Trust<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music Interviews<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">English Teacher talk \u201cconcrete validation\u201d of Mercury Prize win, tease new music: \u201cWe want what we\u2019re writing next to be better\u201d<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music Interviews<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Pulp \u201cnot itching\u201d to make another new album \u2013 despite Mercury Prize nomination for \u2018More\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music Interviews<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Wolf Alice on being the first act to be nominated for the Mercury Prize four times: \u201cWe\u2019re very grateful\u201d<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/article>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>The full shortlist for the Mercury Prize 2026 has been revealed, with Paul McCartney, JADE, Nia Archives, Dave, Suede and the War Child \u2018Help(2)\u2018 compilation all among this year\u2019s nominated albums.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>READ MORE: James Ford talks us through the huge new War Child \u2018Help(2)\u2019 album \u2013 track-by-track<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The winner will be revealed on October 22 at Newcastle\u2019s Utilita Arena, returning after hometown hero Sam Fender bagged the prize last year for his third album \u2018People Watching\u2018.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<p>To be eligible for this year\u2019s prize, albums must have been released by British or Irish artists released between August 30 2025 and July 17 2026 (inclusive) \u2013 meaning that Charli XCX\u2019s recent \u2018Music, Fashion, Film\u2019 won\u2019t be able to enter until next year, while Nia Archives\u2018 acclaimed \u2018Emotional Junglist\u2019 just made the cut.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3959153\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3959153\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3959153\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/live-mercury-prize-2025.jpg\" alt=\"Mercury Prize awards\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3959153\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sam Fender on stage accepting the Mercury Music Prize for the album \u2018People Watching\u2019 2025 awards. CREDIT: JMEnternational\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Big names to make this year\u2019s 12 \u2018Albums of the Year\u2019 list include Dave with \u2018The Boy Who Played the Harp\u2019 after he won in 2019 with \u2018Psychodrama\u2018, Florence + The Machine being nominated for a fourth time with sixth LP \u2018Everybody Scream\u2019, Olivia Dean landing a second Mercury nod but this time for the hugely successful \u2018The Art Of Loving\u2018, RAYE returning this time for \u2018THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.\u2019 and Beatles icon Paul McCartney\u2018s reflective \u2018The Boys of Dungeon Lane\u2019 finding him on the Mercury shortlist for the first time.<\/p>\n<p>Elsewhere, War Child Records\u2019 indie star-studded charity compilation album \u2018Help(2)\u2018 \u2013 which featured the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Fontaines D.C., Depeche Mode, Damon Albarn, Young Fathers, English Teacher and Olivia Rodrigo \u2013 has found a spot on the shortlist, 20 years after the first \u2018Help\u2019 compilation managed to do so in 1996.<\/p>\n<p>Completing the list are \u201cgenerational voice\u201d Irish singer Dove Ellis with \u2018Blizzard\u2019, former Little Mix star JADE\u2019s huge solo debut \u2018THAT\u2019S SHOWBIZ BABY!\u2019, Geordie jazz and poetry outfit Knats with \u2018A Great Day In Newcastle\u2019 for the hometown crowd, Kojey Radical\u2019s making his second Mercury shortlist appearance with \u2018Don\u2019t Look Down\u2019, and art-rock veterans Suede returning with \u2018Antidepressants\u2019 \u2013 their third nomination, including a win for their self-titled debut in 1993.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\">\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<p>Surprise snubs in this year\u2019s shortlist include Lily Allen\u2019s \u2018West End Girl\u2018, Harry Styles\u2019 \u2018Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally\u2019, \u2018Essex Honey\u2019 by Blood Orange, Yard Act\u2019s new \u2018You\u2019re Gonna Need A Little Music\u2018, The Last Dinner Party\u2019s sophomore \u2018From The Pyre\u2018 and Boards Of Canada\u2019s long-awaited comeback LP, \u2018Inferno\u2018.<\/p>\n<p>The Mercury Prize ceremony in Newcastle in October will feature live performances from many of the artists, with coverage broadcast across the BBC.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>The full shortlist for the Mercury Prize 2026 is:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Dave \u2013 \u2018The Boy Who Played the Harp\u2019<br \/>\nDove Ellis \u2013 \u2018Blizzard\u2019<br \/>\nFlorence + The Machine \u2013 \u2018Everybody Scream\u2019<br \/>\nJADE \u2013 \u2018THAT\u2019S SHOWBIZ BABY!\u2019<br \/>\nKnats \u2013 \u2018A Great Day In Newcastle\u2019<br \/>\nKojey Radical \u2013 \u2018Don\u2019t Look Down\u2019<br \/>\nNia Archives \u2013 \u2018Emotional Junglist\u2019<br \/>\nOlivia Dean \u2013 \u2018The Art of Loving\u2019<br \/>\nPaul McCartney \u2013 \u2018The Boys of Dungeon Lane\u2019<br \/>\nRAYE \u2013 \u2018THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.\u2019<br \/>\nSuede \u2013 \u2018Antidepressants\u2019<br \/>\nWar Child Records \u2013 \u2018HELP(2)\u2019<\/p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Paul McCartney on honouring Lennon and George Harrison, duetting with Ringo Starr, and new album\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/afHEY-7_-JA?feature=oembed&amp;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n<p>This year\u2019s victors will join the recent likes of English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Little Simz, Dave, Arlo Parks, Wolf Alice, Young Fathers and more, as well as legendary past winners such as Arctic Monkeys, Elbow, Pulp, Portishead, PJ Harvey and Franz Ferdinand.<\/p>\n<p>The winner will be decided by a judging panel made up of music writer and broadcaster Sophie Williams, <em>The Times<\/em>\u2018 rock and pop critic Will Hodgkinson, composer, DJ and radio broadcaster AFRODEUTSCHE, and broadcaster and musician Danielle Perry.<\/p>\n<p>Alongside them will be Radio 2\u2019s Jamie Cullum, Jeff Smith, Lea Stonhill, MistaJam, <em>Kerrang<\/em>\u2018s creative director Phil Alexander, Sian Eleri, with Jeff Smith The Chair of the judging team.<\/p>\n<p>Tickets to the Mercury Prize 2026 are on sale and available here.<\/p>\n<p>Last year\u2019s Mercury Prize saw nearly 8,000 visitors travel to Newcastle for the events, and generated a combined spend of \u00a3874,724. It also added an estimated \u00a3552,868 GVA to the regional economy, and led to 35 local people gaining work experience.<\/p>\n<div id=\"playlist-player-jwplayer\">\n<div class=\"playlist-player-container\">\n<p>After Sam Fender\u2019s win last year, he donated his \u00a325,000 prize money to the\u00a0Music Venue Trust\u00a0(MVT), while highlighting the importance of \u201cstruggling\u201d small gig spaces in the UK.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/music\/mercury-prize-2026-check-out-this-years-shortlisted-albums-3959760&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/mercury_prize_2026.jpg&#8221;] NewsMusic News Mercury Prize 2026: check out this year\u2019s shortlisted albums See which UK and Irish albums made the cut and who got snubbed ahead of the winner being revealed in Newcastle in October By Andrew Trendell 30th July 2026 The Mercury Prize trophy (Photo by Euan Cherry\/Getty Images) The full shortlist [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,78],"class_list":["post-2069070","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nme-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2069070","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2069070"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2069070\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2069070"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2069070"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2069070"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}