Self Esteem and Sam Fender have varying qualities, but both have a literary sensibility. While Sam Fender has more traditional songwriting skills, Self Esteem’s clever arty compositions and synthetic pop production seem more in keeping with the Mercury Prize’s ethos. On Thursday, the jury will meet to decide the winner.
Wet Leg
It’s a big year for the Isle of Wight indie-rock duo Wet Leg, who have released a number one single and are in contention to win the 2022 Mercury Prize. Their debut single ‘Chaise Longue’ has clocked up more than three million streams, and their self-titled album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, the ARIA Albums Chart and the Irish Albums Chart. The group has toured across Australia recently and are currently touring the US.
Other contenders for the 2022 Mercury Prize include Sam Fender, Harry Styles, and Little Simz. The former are the only non-rock artists on the shortlist, while the latter is no stranger to nominations. This year’s shortlist also includes the likes of Kojey Radical, Loyle Carner, and Joy Crookes.
The 2022 Mercury Prize will honor the best British album of the year. There are twelve albums on the shortlist for the award. Other nominees include Harry Styles, who is up for his debut album Harry’s House, Wet Leg, Sam Fender, and Little Simz. The Mercury Prize ceremony takes place on September 8 at the Hammersmith Apollo.
Self Esteem
The Mercury Prize is a prestigious music award, presenting PS25,000 to the most outstanding British and Irish albums. This year, 12 British and Irish albums were nominated, each of them on an equal footing. On Thursday, a judging panel will decide on the winner. The bookies have predicted that Self Esteem will take home the prize.
Gwenno’s Tresor is another contender, with lyrics almost entirely in Cornish. This album received its first Grammy nomination and topped the Guardian’s list of the best albums of the year. The album has become Taylor’s most popular work to date, and her chances of winning the Mercury Prize have increased.
Earlier this summer, the shortlist was announced, and Self Esteem – aka Rebecca Lucy Taylor – is the odds-on favourite to win. However, the shortlist features a number of other artists as well. Little Simz, who has already released two albums, is also a contender. Indie newcomers Wet Leg and Nova Twins were also nominated.
Little Simz
In the wake of Little Simz’s recent nomination for the 2019 Mercury Prize, the artist has released his fourth studio album, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert. The album is a personal record about family and artistic struggles, and critic Jenessa Williams described it as ‘upfront and honest’. The singer is already considered one of the favourites to win the prize, which will be announced on 8 September. He will receive PS25,000 for the award, which is considered one of the biggest prizes in British music.
The 2022 Mercury Prize will be awarded to the artist who released the best album released in the UK or Ireland in the past year. There are currently no previous winners. The winner is chosen by an independent judging panel composed of musicians, songwriters, broadcasters, and music industry executives. Little Simz are currently 14/1 to win the prize. The band recently played a headline set at Finsbury Park in July and two nights at Newcastle Arena earlier this year. Their latest album, Seventeen Going Under, topped UK album charts.
Yard Act
Yard Act has been in the spotlight this year, thanks to their impressive debut album. Their single, “Wet Leg,” went viral and reached the Number 2 spot on the UK Albums Chart. Having won praise for their debut album, the band was nominated for the Mercury Prize.
Yard Act is one of three UK acts nominated for the prize this year. The other two artists are Jessie Buckley and Bernard Butler. The 2022 Mercury Prize ceremony will be televised live on BBC Four on Thursday 8th September. The ceremony will feature performances by the shortlisted artists and will feature a live performance by Harry Styles.
