Mercury Prize 2013: The Shortlist

Right then, here we are with the Mercury Prize 2013 nominations as they happen. Let us know in the comments section below whether you think the judges have got it right or are a bit wide of the mark…

1. Rudimental – Home

2. Foals – Holy Fire

3. Jon Hopkins – Immunity

4. Jake Bugg – Jake Bugg

5. Laura Mvula – Sing To The Moon

6. Villagers – {Awayland}

7. David Bowie – The Next Day

8. Savages – Silence Yourself

9. Disclosure – Settle

10. Laura Marling – Once I Was An Eagle

11. James Blake – Overgrown

12. Arctic Monkeys – AM

So we got eight out of 12 right in our predictions.

Big news this year is that the ‘token genres’ nominations are nowhere in evidence, and that an album released just two days ago – Arctic Monkeys’ AM – makes the cut. In fact this looks like the most mainstream Mercury shortlist yet.

It’s great to see Jon Hopkins, Savages, Foals and Villagers in there. It is no longer any surprise to see Laura Marling in there, this being her third Mercury nomination – maybe next year’s award can be renamed the Marlings? And it’s notable that electronic artists are this year to the fore with Hopkins, James Blake, Disclosure and Rudimental.

Were the judges right to include Jake Bugg at the expense of Fuck Buttons, Pet Shop Boys or Goldfrapp? Let us know what you think.

Update (17:52): A well known betting shop chain has made Foals the early favourits with odds of 7/2, just ahead of David Bowie (9/2), Disclosure (5/1) and Savages (7/1). The outsiders at the moment are Laura Mvula and Arctic Monkeys.

The ceremony takes place on Wednesday 30 October, following a series of ‘Albums of the Year Live’ events in which the shortlisted acts play to live audiences ‘free’ (for a charitable donation).