SO.CO Team

1 year ago

Little Simz, Yard Act and Self Esteem Lead Mercury Prize Nominations

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The nominees for the 2022 Mercury Prize have been announce, with Little Simz, Yard Act and Self Esteem leading a strong shortlist of outstanding albums.

Wet Leg are among the 12 acts nominated

Wet Leg are among the 12 acts nominated

Judges including Anna Calvi, Jamie Cullum, Loyle Carner and Lanterns On The Lake’s Hazel Wilde helped whittle down the longlist to the twelve albums from which 2022’s Mercury Prize Album Of The Year will be selected.  

Sam Fender's 'Seventeen Going Under' also received a nod

Sam Fender's 'Seventeen Going Under' also received a nod

The shortlisted 2022 Mercury Prize Albums Of The Year are: 

  • Fergus McCreadie – Forest Floor
  • Gwenno – Tresor 
  • Harry Styles – Harry’s House
  • Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler – For All Our Days That Tear The Heart
  • Joy Crookes – Skin
  • Kojey Radical – Reason To Smile
  • Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
  • Nova Twins – Supernova 
  • Sam Fender – Seventeen Going Under
  • Self Esteem – Prioritise Pleasure
  • Wet Leg – Wet Leg
  • Yard Act – The Overload
'Prioritise Pleasure' by Self Esteem is one of the most talked about albums of the year

'Prioritise Pleasure' by Self Esteem is one of the most talked about albums of the year

The purpose of the Mercury Prize is to “recognise and celebrate artistic achievement, provide a snapshot of the year in music and to help introduce new albums from a range of music genres to a wider audience. All of the 12 shortlisted artists receive a specially commissioned ‘Album Of The Year’ trophy, with the overall winner also receiving a winner trophy and a cash prize of £25,000.”

'Supernova' by Nova Twins is a tour de force of modern punk

'Supernova' by Nova Twins is a tour de force of modern punk

Yard Act’s Sam Shjipstone told SO.CO: 

“The nomination for the Mercury Prize is quite unexpected, but it’s an absolute honour and a thrill. This year’s nominees feel particularly good, so we’ll try to keep imposter syndrome in check. Aside from Self Esteem, the record we probably love the most is Little Simz - strongly deserved winner there, absolutely doesn’t let up and I look forward to its legacy”

Yard Act went toe to toe with Years and Years in a fiercely fought album chart battle

Yard Act went toe to toe with Years and Years in a fiercely fought album chart battle

The winner of the 2022 Mercury Prize will be announced on September 8th at London’s Eventim Apollo.