Mercury prize 2011 nominees – in pictures

Adele's 21 is the biggest-selling album on the list Photograph: PR

Tinie Tempah's debut album Disc-Overy debuted at No 1 in October 2010 Photograph: Tom Oldham/Rex Features

Elbow won the prize in 2008 with The Seldom Seen Kid. Now they're back on the list with Build a Rocket Boys! Photograph: PR

Anna Calvi's self-titled debut was a big hit with Guardian critics Photograph: Linda Nylind

Katy B was the dubstep name to watch this year and her debut album, On a Mission, proved to be a breath of fresh air Photograph: Matt LLoyd/Rex Features

James Blake's self-titled debut album was also a chart-orientated take on dubstep Photograph: PR

Everything Everything are one of just three bands on this year's shortlist – their album Man Alive tried to carve new shapes out of guitar music Photograph: Christopher Thomond

Metronomy's The English Riviera avoided difficult second album syndrome Photograph: Linda Nylind

PJ Harvey's eighth album, Let England Shake, was a critical smash – many thought it her best work yet Photograph: Seamus Murphy/PR

Fife folkie King Creosote teamed up with electronica boffin Jon Hopkins for the lovely, understated album Diamond Mine Photograph: PR

Gwilym Simcock's Good Days at Schloss Elmau is the year's jazz nomination Photograph: Eric Richmond/PR

Ghostpoet provided an innovative take on UK hip-hop with his Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam Photograph: Samuel Dietz/Redferns