Thank you and goodbye!
That’s your lot from us. See you for the ceremony liveblog. Bet you can’t wait.
Updated
Nominee No 10: Soak – Before We Forgot How To Dream
What we said: “It’s a debut that shows potential, but falls just short of the songwriting spark hinted at on her second EP, 2012’s Sea Creatures. The Derry singer’s cocooning, husky voice sounds as delicately expressive as always, creaking on the single Blud – about overhearing her parents arguing with an ear pressed to her bedroom floorboards – and Hailstones Don’t Hurt.” (Tshepo Mokoena) Read the full piece here.
The critics speak (well, a critic speaks)
Here’s what Alexis Petridis had to say …
The list covers a lot of musical bases, from doughty Britpop survivor (former Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes) to Grammy-winning electronica (Aphex Twin), and old-fashioned gorblimey punk rock (Slaves). The appearance of the latter duo’s Are You Satisified? represents the first occasion on which a band who bear comparison to Sham 69 or Splodgenessabounds have received a Mercury nomination. Beyond the predominance of singer-songwriters, the list offers no sense of a prevalent trend in British music
Updated
Clarification
They are not really doubling the shortlist. Don’t worry.
You want to hear all 12 albums? Here they are!
Great news!
They’ve decided to double the length of the shortlist! There are going to be 12 more albums! We’re going to be here for another three hours!
And that’s the 12. Here you are, in one easy-to-peruse list:
Slaves – Are You Satisfied
Gaz Coombes – Matador
Soak – Before We Forgot How to Dream
Jamie xx – In Colour
Benjamin Clementine – At Least for Now
Ghostpoet – Shedding Skin
Florence + the Machine – How Big How Blue How Beautiful
Eska – Eska
C Duncan – Architect
Róisín Murphy – Hairless Toy
Wolf Alice – My Love Is Cool
Aphex Twin – Syro
Updated
Nominee No 12: Slaves – Are You Satisfied
What we said: “It’s not so much that Slaves don’t capture the excitement of their live show on record, more that their live show isn’t designed for transfer to a major label album. The riffs of songs such as Wow!!!7am or Hey or Do Something are strong enough, but the formula “riff, primitive bash of drums, bellowed chorus” wears thin pretty quickly. Great garage-rock needs to sound, in the words of John Peel, as if the instruments are playing themselves, but on record Slaves always sound a bit too self-conscious.” (Michael Hann) Read the full piece here. Read what happened when Kevin EG Perry joined them on the road.
Updated
Gaz knew he wanted to do something instinctive and balance himself with that and balance that with pushing himself. He was, he concludes, “doing what I was doing”. And making a record regardless of what others would think. That’s the nearest we’ve come to: “I make records for myself and if anyone else likes it, it’s a bonus.”
Updated
Nominee No 11: Gaz Coombes – Matador
What we said: “Matador’s sound textures are pulled together from a wide range of sources: a gospel feel on the chorus of 20/20, a touch of Neu! in The English Ruse. There’s a trace of John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, not only in Matador’s use of slapback vocal echo, but also in its raw, confessional lyrics. Coombes’s voice has always been a powerful pop instrument, thrillingly on the edge of hysteria. On Matador, it’s also a howl of pain.” (Jon Dennis). Read the full piece here.
World reacts to Mercury shortlist (3)
Waiting for the #mercuryprize nominations to end. pic.twitter.com/xrm3RNx6K2
— David Owens (@asoundreaction) October 16, 2015
If you want to read an interview with Soak, then we have one for you RIGHT HERE. One in which the writer breaches Guardian house style by letting her have her name all in capitals (we don’t care for that sort of thing, and typographical tricksiness is banned).
Bad luck, Slaves. Gemma Cairney’s backing you for the shortlist.
.@gemcairn's backing @Slaves for the #MercuryPrize. Do you think they'll be on the shortlist? http://t.co/oU99deq82C pic.twitter.com/odH62YQESD
— BBC Music (@bbcmusic) October 14, 2015
I don’t blame either party for the thanklessness of these interviews – they’re crap jobs for both interviewer and interviewee – but it’s a bit like watching a game of football where they interrupt after every goal to ask the scorer to ask how delighted they felt about the goal. All of which is my way of saying there was nothing worth passing on from Lauren Laverne’s brief enounter with Soak.
Updated
World reacts to Mercury shortlist (2)
Fuming that 2Shoes, Eton Road, Jamie Afro and The Unconventionals have been snubbed for the #MercuryPrize AGAIN
— Michael Hogan (@michaelhogan) October 16, 2015
Some sod has nicked my last can of Diet Coke from the office fridge. There will be blood.
In the comments, charliepanayi offers this thought: “On a side note, I’ve seen World Cup draws take less time than this.” I know exactly what you mean, Charlie. And with this one we can’t even shout WHO BRIBED WHOM? at the radio. Well, we can. But whatever you think of the Mercuries, Simon Frith #toplad is no Sepp Blatter.
World reacts to Mercury shortlist
Jamie xx is cracking out the war stories in his interview with Lauren Laverne. He’s talking about snorting cocaine out of dolphins’ blowholes with Kanye West, then telling a long and involved anecdote involving Carol Vorderman, a weekend in Kuala Lumpur, six hours in jail, 39 stitches and a riding crop. No, you’re right. He’s not.
Congratulations to official #MercuryPrize shortlisted Jamie xx. Good luck with recovering from last night's show. pic.twitter.com/BTQAUNYoTb
— 6Music 10-1300 (@BBC6MorningShow) October 16, 2015
Updated
Nominee No 9: Jamie xx – In Colour
What we said: “In Colour is no mere sepia-tinted nostalgia trip. It might be a kaleidoscopic 11-track tribute to raves long past, a paean to the styles Smith is too young to remember first-hand, and the incidental chatter of London pirate radio circa 1992 that he is too young to have heard – a direction presaged in last summer’s pre-album offering, All Under One Roof Raving. But it is also about the pleasure of being alone, enveloped in bass, in a sea of many; of refracting what can often be a superficial experience – London clubbing – into something more existential, more nuanced, more unified.” (Kitty Empire) Read the full piece here. If you like, you can read Alexis Petridis trying to get blood from the stone that is Jamie xx.
By the way, last night I happened to bump into the man who runs Wolf Alice’s label, Dirty Hit. And in case you think everyone knows months in advance if they’re nominated, he had no idea. He wanted to know if I did. Not till this morning.
Updated
CORRECTION!
Charlotte Robertshaw pointed out that Wolf Alice’s album didn’t reach No 1. It made it to No 2. No 1 in the midweeks. He said. Hedging his bets.
Updated
Safety first
I can’t help feeling this is a very Radio 4 vision of British pop music today. I like Radio 4, don’t get me wrong – apart from the dreadful 6.30pm comedies – but does this really fulfil the Mercury brief of reflecting the state of British pop? No one’s calling for a list full of pop-house bangers, but where is the UK hip-hop and grime? When Kanye’s busy identifying himself with Skepta and co, you’d think the judges might have gone looking for something that reflects that scene. We know there will never be any metal – that’s a given these days – but there has been not a single thing so far, with the exception of Aphex Twin, that you would be surprised to hear at a middle-aged dinner party. I know this because I am middle-aged and I have dinner parties. Where’s something like this?
Coming up!
As soon as the nominations wrap up at 1pm we’ll be bringing you Alexis Petridis’s analysis of the list, plus streams of every single one of the records, so you can spend the subsequent 12 hours making up your mind. Also this afternoon on Guardian music, we’ve got an exclusive stream of the terrific new album from Pure Bathing Culture, New Band of the Week and our reggae, dancehall and soca playlist.
Updated
Benjamin Clementine sounds like he’s just got out of bed. Though the phoner in which you are asked to react to being nominated for a prize can hardly be easy, given the format is fundamentally: tell me how brilliant you are! Still, I remember being struck by how interesting and unusual this album was when I played it. By the way, we’ve been trying to arrange an interview with young Benjamin for some time. Hopefully we can get it sorted in the near future.
Updated
Nominee No 8: Benjamin Clementine – At Least for Now
What we said: “Channelling influences such as Erik Satie and Antony Hegarty, Clementine is reminiscent of Kevin Rowland in that he sounds as if he is singing from the gut, and because he has to. If only he had Rowland’s economy: mannered vocal flourishes complicate the melodies when what’s needed is simplicity. The addition of syrupy strings and pedestrian drumming further dilutes the impact of his raw talent. However, when he performs unadorned, melodies dripping from his fingertips, and letting fly from the heart, his voice is difficult to forget.” (Dave Simpson) Read the full piece here.
Updated
Ghostpoet is in the studio telling Laverne about having been a Mercury judge himself. And he says of the prize’s owlish chief judge, sociologist Simon Frith: “He’s a good lad.” #simonfrith #epicbantz #academicladzon
Nominee No 7: Ghostpoet – Shedding Skin
What we said: “Here, he takes a turn that might alienate fans of the icy, sparse electronic beats that launched his career. With a backing band composed of guitarist Joe Newman, drummer John Blease and bassist John Calvert, Ejimiwe dives headfirst into moody alt-rock territory. His languid, spoken word-esque bars are still here, dripping over the title track’s exploration of homelessness and That Ring Down the Drain Feeling’s morose look at an ex-lover’s newfound happiness. But he explores more universal themes than on his past work, stepping outside the tried-and-tested tales of big-city woes and one too many boozy nights.” (Tshepo Mokoena) Read the full piece here.
Lauren Laverne says the Mercury prize is about the fans, not the music writers. That’s it, Laverne. You’re DEAD TO US. It’s all about the music writers!
Hello! Michael Hann here, on what has proved to be a fairly frantic morning. As for Florence: I think we all saw that one coming, didn’t we? But it’s the first big commercial hit of the list so far (yes, I know Wolf Alice’s album went to No 1, but your taxi drivers don’t know anything about them). And, if we’re honest, she’s had the kind of imperial year that does end up in awards. I reckon she’ll clean up at the Brits, too. I was never a fan, but even on TV that Glastonbury performance was pretty compelling.
Updated
Nominee No 6: Florence + the Machine – How Big How Blue How Beautiful
What we said: “It takes about 10 minutes for the listener to realise that reports of Welch’s new-found reserve might have been slightly over-egged. It’s at that point that the title track appears, bringing with it that legendary musical signifier of modest understatement, a 36-piece orchestra: strings saw dramatically, brass blares out, little bursts of woodwind scurry about, what appears to be a dulcimer and something that sounds like a celeste attempt to muscle in on the action. It’s understated only in the sense that she didn’t get someone in to let off a cannon like in the 1812 Overture. The sneaking suspicion that How Big How Blue How Beautiful perhaps isn’t going to be entirely as advertised is hard to avoid.” (Alexis Petridis) Read the full piece here. Or have a look at Sophie Heawood’s interview with Florence, which is a terrific read.
Updated
There are still more names to be announced, but I have to go to a meeting have lunch with Chris Martin, so I will hand over the liveblog to Michael Hann, who will not only entertain but provide actual intelligent analysis and commentary.
I promised at least three mentions of hoverboards and have only provided one. Actually, two mentions of hoverboards if you include this. Now three! Great, mission complete. Bye!
Updated
Here’s a little sample of Eska’s music – an array of reggae, jazz, soul, choral, electronica, clowncore, death metal, folk and classical influences.
Possibly a lie or two thrown in there. Answers in the comment section, please, for a chance to win my undying respect and hand in marriage!
Updated
Nominee No 5: Eska – Eska
What we said: “Her debut album, five years in the making, attests to the Londoner’s versatility, drawing on everything from psychedelic soul to folk infused with the spirit of Kate Bush. The hypnotic opener, This Is How a Garden Grows, moves at its own leisurely pace through history, evoking a half-cut Erykah Badu. Unsurprisingly, not every song’s that good – To Be Remembered is particularly forgettable – but, at its best, Eska is a mind-bending gem.” (Paul Mardles) Read the full piece here. Then check out Phiona Okumu’s Cult Heroes blog about Eska.
Updated
The list so far is pretty surprising. Here are the bookmakers’ favourites to win on Thursday:
Everything Everything – Get to Heaven (4/1)
Jamie xx – In Colour (7/1)
The Maccabees – Marks to Prove It (8/1)
Sleaford Mods – Key Markets (10/1)
Richard Dawson – Nothing Important (10/1)
Wolf Alice – My Love Is Cool (12/1)
Nadine Shah – Fast Food (12/1)
Ghostpoet – Shedding Skin (12/1)
Jane Weaver – The Silver Globe (12/1)
LoneLady – Hinterland (16/1)
Foals – What Went Down (16/1)
Florence + the Machine – How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful (20/1)
Young Fathers – White Men Are Black Men Too (20/1)
SOAK – Before We Forgot to Dream (20/1)
Slaves – Are You Satisfied? (20/1)
Dutch Uncles – O Shudder (20/1)
LA Priest – Inji (20/1)
Richard Hawley – Hollow Meadows (20/1)
Alt-J – This Is All Yours (20/1)
… just goes to show, if you bet, you get debt, as my mum never said.
Updated
Lauren asks the singer and multiinstrumentalist what he might be doing today to celebrate. His answer: “Painting my bedroom!” Duncs, everyone knows it’s “paint the town red.” Get your sayings right you wistful, celestial genius.
I heard his song Garden on the radio a while back and immediately bought the album. I urge you to do the same.
Updated
Nominee No 4: C Duncan – Architect
What we said: “He seamlessly merges interweaving vocals with the sounds of pastoral English folk and lush, 4ADesque dreampop. On He Believes in Miracles and the title track, both of which have a psychedelic shimmer, you realise that Duncan is just as comfortable when creating music to suit sunnier climes, making this a magical record for all seasons.” (Tim Jonze) Read the full piece here.
Updated
Ever wondered if the former Moloko singer prefers fish and chips in paper or Michelin star restaurants? We did a webchat with her in July and here’s what she said:
I’ll tell you what, it’s hard to get a good fish and chips these days, and the cod is nearly gone! So, it’s quite a delicacy. I was brought up around a fish-and-chips shop – or a chipper, we call it in Ireland – and my nana ran it.
But Michelin-star restaurants? I certainly will give it a go.
Updated
Róisín has just been telling Lauren about a new “compendium” album that she is working on. She says it is “more loose, more raw” than the Hairless Toys, and that she totally disagrees with Ellie re Mars but perhaps we should pay more attention to the oft forgotten Jupiter?
Listen to the intricate, intimate Gone Fishing, from the Mercury-nominated album.
Updated
Nominee No 3: Róisín Murphy – Hairless Toys
What we said: “From the glass-like Gone Fishing to its Italo-disco and house mutations and unusual country diversions, it draws from the past but adds a crisp, modern polish; and unlike other revivalists, there’s a depth to Murphy’s vocals, as if she has experienced the freaks and fantasy of Studio 54 firsthand. Hairless Toys is pure, evocative elegance, her performance as flamboyant and fragile as the subculture she celebrates.” (Harriet Gibsone) Read the full, incredibly worded review here.
Updated
Here’s a pic of Wolf Alice and an interview here. Support new British talent: get to know them, love them and buy their album.
Updated
For those of you not tuning in to the live broadcast, that was Ellie Rowsell of Wolf Alice on the phone to Laverne. She said it was amazing that they had been nominated for the award and, somewhat incongruously, that she does believe that there is life on Mars and that hoverboards have been sent down from space and will soon mutate into giant leg-eating parasites.
Updated
Nominee No 2: Wolf Alice – My Love Is Cool
“It feels like an album that’s been allowed time to gestate: despite being virtually veteran in buzz-band terms, they have benefitted from beefing up their sound on tour – as evidenced on the heavy romance of Your Loves Whore, the dirty degenerate chug of You’re a Germ, or the cinematic Turn to Dust. The awkward introversion in the lyrics – which deal with relationship strife, creepy blokes, friendship, gender and the quest for eternal love – add a sense of emotional overload driven by late nights, blood pacts and wide-eyed wonder. It’s an invigorating debut with a gaunt, gallant identity of its own.” (Harriet Gibsone) Read the rest of this stunningly written review here.
Updated
Some freelance journalist called Björk also wrote the following about Richard D James for this feature:
Richard is an innovator. He showed the way and had to then take on the extraordinary pressures of scrillions of copycats. It probably gets tricksy to tell your own voice apart from your disciples’ – which one is the original? And he has the true prangsterism of an original, too: when someone assimilates him, he simply disappears and starts from scratch elsewhere. They can hang on to the artifice. It wasn’t about that in the first place anyway. I cannot remember when I first heard his music – it must have been in 92. But I do remember that he came and supported me on tour, probably around 94, in the USA – he shared our tour bus and he DJed with sandpaper! It really cracked me up. Richard has always been incredibly supportive of me and has emailed me a couple of times and told me about equipment that he knew I would get into. For example, he told me about the Korg 4-track dictaphone that helped me a lot to make Medúlla. He has a very generous and humble side.
Updated
It’s easy to mythologise Aphex Twin and everything he’s created. To quash some of this mysticism, take our fun quiz inspired by the artwork used for Syro, in which the following image of Johnny Borrell appeared.
Updated
Nominee No 1: Aphex Twin – Syro
What we said: “Some would grouse that Syro didn’t reinvent music – a rather high bar that you had to regard as a compliment of sorts. But if we don’t get Aphex the innovator here, we get something just as good: Aphex the virtuoso. Much of Syro was rooted in an athletic 80s electro funk, typified by the inhumanly fast keytar runs of syro u473t8+e (piezoluminescence mix). But the album’s real hallmark was its generosity of melody. From the delicate tonal shifts and syrupy vocal ooze of minipops 67 (source field mix) to the wistful, cloudy synths that swirl beneath the pneumatic junglist breaks of PAPAT4 (pineal mix), Syro felt designed to delight and beguile.” (Louis Pattinson) Read the full piece here.
Updated
Before the shortlist begins, it might be worth taking a scan of our alternative Mercury prize list, too. Laura Marling, Four Tet, Sleaford Mods and New Order are just some of the artists that have been suggested by our writers. It’s not too late to join in with the suggestions.
Updated
… While we’re feeling all misty-eyed and nostalgic, why don’t we take a quick read of an interview with Young Fathers, watch a live performance of their track Shame (below), and recall your very first day at school. What do you think your dinner lady is up to in 2015?
Updated
Here’s a previously unseen picture of last year’s winners, Young Fathers, as they accepted their 2015 award. They sung their speech in unison, in French, backwards. Here’s hoping this year’s winner is as innovative and forward thinking as this genre-busting trio.
Updated
It begins …
Hello, everyone. Harriet Gibsone here. I am going to be guiding you through the next few hours as Lauren Laverne drip feeds us the nominations for this year’s Mercury prize via her BBC 6 Music show. I can promise plenty of paraphrasing from previous reviews and no less than three mentions of hoverboards. Strap yourselves in!
Updated
