Mercury Prize 2018 shortlist revealed, including Arctic Monkeys, Florence + The Machine and Lily Allen

The shortlist for this year's Hyundai Mercury Prize has been unveiled.

Arctic Monkeys' Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino, Florence + The Machine's High As Hope and Lily Allen's No Shame are among the acts nominated for this year's prestigious award, now in its 27th year.

The winner will be announced at an awards show held at London's Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith on Thursday, September 20.

Albums released between Saturday, July 22 2017 and Friday, July 20 2018 were eligible for nomination, before a panel of judges shortlisted the 12 best.

The 2017 Mercury Prize was won by Sampha for his album Process, which peaked at Number 7 on the Official Albums Chart and returned to the same position following his win.

Below are the 12 shortlisted acts:

Arctic Monkeys - Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

The Sheffield band embodied everything from space pop to glam rock and psychedelia on their sixth album, which was written by frontman Alex Turner. The results polarised listeners, but it went on to become their sixth Number 1 album anyway, posting the biggest week 1 vinyl sales in 25 years. This is their fourth album to be nominated for a Mercury, with their debut record going on to win in 2006.

Everything Everything - A Fever Dream

The indie rock band bag their second Mercury shortlisting following their debut Man Alive in 2011. 2017's A Fever Dream  - which peaked at Number 5 on the Official Albums Chart - saw the band team up with Simian Mobile Disco's James Ford and was widely praised by critics.

Everything Is Recorded - Everything Is Recorded

Legendary producer and head of XL Recordings Richard Russell released his latest album under the moniker Everything Is Recorded in March. He ropes in last year's Mercury winner Sampha and Ibeyi - acts on his label's roster - plus Young Turks-signed Kamasi Washington and Peter Gabriel as collaborators on the collection.

Florence + The Machine - High As Hope

The band were denied their fourth consecutive Number 1 earlier this month, but praise was nonetheless glowing for High As Hope, which Florence Welch executive produced alongside Emile Haynie. 

Jorja Smith - Lost & Found

Lost & Found by Walsall-born Jorja Smith is one of only two debut albums on this year's shortlist. The singer won the BRITs Critics' Choice prize last year and, fortunately, delivered on her first album, which blends trip hop, R&B, soul and pop. 

King Krule - The Ooz

King Krule, aka London singer-songwriter Archy Marshall, takes on everything from R&B and punk rock to jazz on his third album. The record peaked at Number 23 last October and finished in the upper echelons of several Best of 2017 lists. 

Lily Allen - No Shame 

Suffering an identity crisis following release of 2014's Sheezus, Lily Allen poured her emotions into the deeply confessional No Shame, tackling her recent divorce and maternal guilt as well as social and political issues. 

Nadine Shah - Holiday Destination

Nadine's third studio album is a bleak but warmhearted collection of songs that looks at Islamaphobia, the refugee crisis, gentrification and "a fascist in the White House". 

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Who Built The Moon? 

Noel and the gang teamed up with acclaimed electronic musician David Holmes to shift away from their well-worn indie rock sound towards glam and psychedelia for their third album, which landed at Number 1 last November.

Novelist - Novelist Guy

21 year old, Lewisham-born MC Novelist (aka Kojo Kankam) released his debut album in April, which examines his frustrations with the music industry, the political climate and black masculinity. 

Sons of Kemet - Your Queen Is A Reptile

The title of the third album by the London jazz group refers to the British monarchy, which they believe does not represent black immigrants. Every song title on the record refers to influential black women throughout history, including political activists Harriet Tubman and Albertina Sisulu.

Wolf Alice - Visions Of A Life 

The band's second album is also their second to be nominated for a Mercury - can they go all the way this time? Visions Of A Life received widespread acclaim upon its release last September, with critics calling it "pure rock and roll splendour". 

 

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Remind yourself of every Mercury Prize winner below: