Stormzy, Kano and Georgia among Mercury Prize 2020 nominations

The 2020 Hyundai Mercury Prize has released its ‘Albums of the Year’ shortlist.

12 albums are nominated, including releases by Stormzy (pictured), Kano, Georgia, Moses Boyd, Dua Lipa, Laura Marling and Charli XCX.

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Albums from Michael Kiwanuka, Porridge Radio, Sports Team, Anna Meredith and Lanterns on the Lake are also in the running.

The prize will be judge by Anna Calvi, Annie Mac, Danielle Perry, Gaz Coombes, Gemma Cairney, Jamie Cullum, Jeff Smith, Jorja Smith, Mike Walsh, Phil Alexander and Tshepo Mokoena.

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The judges said: “In these difficult and uncertain times the Hyundai Mercury Prize is proud to celebrate the remarkable power of music to inspire and exhilarate. The albums on the 2020 shortlist showcase a great diversity of sounds, styles, ambitions and experience. What these albums share is an irresistible urgency, a belief that their music matters more than ever.”

The winner will be announced on September 24 this year.

Nominations:
Anna Meredith ‘FIBS‘
Charli XCX ‘how i’m feeling now‘
Dua Lipa ‘Future Nostalgia‘
Georgia ‘Seeking Thrills‘
Kano ‘Hoodies All Summer‘
Lanterns on the Lake ‘Spook the Herd‘
Laura Marling ‘Song for Our Daughter‘
Michael Kiwanuka ‘KIWANUKA‘
Moses Boyd ‘Dark Matter‘
Porridge Radio ‘Every Bad‘
Sports Team ‘Deep Down Happy‘
Stormzy ‘Heavy is the Head‘

Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Digital Features Editor, follow him on Twitter

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