Mercury Prize 2016 shorlist revealed

The Mercury Prize 2016 shortlist has been announced.

David Bowie, Skepta and The 1975 are among this year's nominees for the award, which recognises and celebrates music in the UK and highlights both new and established bands and artists. See below for all this year's shortlisted albums.

MORE: Refresh your memory on every Mercury Prize winner ever 

In addition to a new sponsor in Hyundai, this year's Mercury Prize has added a new public voting element. Following the longlist reveal today (August 4), the public will be able to select one album to head straight into a pool of six finalists.

Following the public's first-time involvement, the judging panel will choose the further five finalists and then ultimately decide on the overall winner on Thursday September 15.

This year's panel of judges includes Naughty Boy, Jarvis Cocker, Ellie Roswell of Wolf Alice and Jamie Cullum, as well as former Official Chart Show host Clara Amfo, Mercury Prize and BRIT Award nominated musician Jessie Ware and radio presenter Annie Mac.

MORE: These are officially the UK's biggest albums of 2016 so far

Industry experts Jeff Smith (BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music's Head of Music) and Phil Alexander, Editor-in-Chief at Kerrang!, Mojo and Q, complete the judging lineup. 

The 12 shortlisted albums for this year's Mercury Prize are: 

Anohni - Hopelessness

Anohni was previously known as lead singer of Antony and the Johnsons, who won the Mercury Prize in 2005 with their record I Am A Bird Now. Released in May this year, she previously described the LP as  "an electronic record with some sharp teeth".

Bat For Lashes - The Bride

Natasha Khan aka Bat For Lashes is no stranger to the Mercury scene, having been shortlisted twice before, with 2006's Fur And Gold and 2009's Two Suns. Her fourth collection The Bride was released in July and includes the singles In God's House and Sunday Love.  

David Bowie - Blackstar

Bowie's 25th and final album was released just two days before his death in January. Produced by longtime collaborator Tony Visconti, the record spent four weeks at Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart and is the fastest selling record of 2016 so far, shifting 146,000 units in its opening week.

Jamie Woon - Making Time 

Woon's second album was released in November 2015 via Polydor Records. It was recorded in London, New York, Hollywood and, erm, Essex(!) and features the single Sharpness. 

Kano - Made In The Manor

London MC Kane Robinson aka Kano really made his mark with the release of his fifth album Made In The Manor, which became his first Top 10 album back in March this year. The album includes a vast array of collaborators, including Fraser T Smith, and Blur's Damon Albarn.

Laura Mvula - The Dreaming Room

Mvula scores her second Mercury Prize nomination with her second album, following 2013's Sing To The Moon. Described as an "adventurous take on contemporary music", the record includes collaborations with Nile Rodgers and Wretch 32. 

Michael Kiwanuka – Love & Hate

The second studio album from Michael, Love & Hate was his first to hit Number 1, a feat made all the more special as it coincided with the 60^th anniversary when the first ever Official Albums Chart was published.

Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool

One of only four albums in 2016 to reign at Number 1 for more than one week, A Moon Shaped Pool reached the top spot on two separate occasions, the second thanks to near 10,000 vinyl sales. It also marks a fifth time Radiohead have been nominated for the prize - will they prove triumphant this time? 

Savages – Adore Life

All-female post-punk group Savages scored their second Top 40 album in January 2016 with Adore Life, which peaked at Number 26. The band were previously shortlisted with their debut album Silence Yourself in 2013.

Skepta – Konnichiwa

Skepta’s fourth studio album has proved his most successful yet, hitting Number 2 on the Official Album Chart and spawning three Top 40 singles.

The 1975 – I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful, yet So Unaware Of It

I Like It When You Sleep… was a global phenomenon, topping the albums charts in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is currently the fifth biggest selling release of 2016.

The Comet is Coming – Channel The Spirits

Described as “a soundtrack to planet Earth’s doom”, Channel The Spirits is a psychedelic journey through space, guided by band members King Shabaka, Danalogue The Conquerer and Betamax Killer.

Remind yourself of every Mercury Prize winner below: