Steady Mercury

The 12 Mercury Prize nominees for this year have been announced, with Field Music (pictured), Plan B, Django Django and Richard Hawley all in the running.

Mercury Chair of judges Simon Frith said: “This year’s Barclaycard Mercury Prize shortlist showcases a wonderful variety of musical voices, emotions and ambitions”.

Frith also pointed out that the list contained eight debut albums and went on to say: “The sheer range of music here celebrates the abiding ability of British musicians to find new ways to explore traditional themes of love and loss while making an exhilarating soundtrack for life in 2012.”

I’m not sure which albums on the list Frith was listening to whilst gushing forth like that, but it is good news for Field Music, who reacted to the nomination of fourth album ‘Plumb’ by saying: “Well, blow us down and knock our socks off. We're a few albums in now and we were fairly convinced our chances of ever making the Mercury shortlist were minimal to nil so this is a really nice surprise”

Lauren Laverne announced the list at a ceremony in London last night (12 September) and the winner will be revealed at an awards show on 01 November. There will also be a series of exclusive gigs featuring the nominees leading up to the awards show, including Plan B and Richard Hawley- the current joint favourites to win.

The complete list is below- let us know your thoughts - then pass the fondue!

Alt-J - An Awesome Wave
Ben Howard - Every Kingdom
Django Django - Django Django
Field Music - Plumb
Jessie Ware - Devotion
Lianne La Havas - Is Your Love Big Enough?
Michael Kiwanuka - Home Again
Plan B - Ill Manors
Richard Hawley - Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Roller Trio - Roller Trio
Sam Lee - Ground of its Own
The Maccabees - Given to the Wild