Fans react to Mercury Prize 2024 shortlist: “What more could you want?”

nme.com:

Mercury Prize was announced earlier today (July 25), and fans have been quick to share their responses online.The 12 albums up for the award were announced live by Tom Ravenscroft on BBC Radio 6 Music, and chosen by an independent judging panel, which this year includes Jamie Cullum and MistaJam.

Albums released between July 15, 2023 and July 12, 2024 were eligible.Among those listed were Portishead member Beth Gibbons, for her long-awaited debut solo album ‘Lives Outgrown’, The Last Dinner Party with ‘Prelude To Ecstasy’, and English Teacher with their landmark debut ‘This Could Be Texas’.Charli XCX also made the cut with ‘BRAT’, which has become the soundtrack of the summer and a pop culture phenomenon, as was Barry Can’t Swim (‘When Will We Land?’), BERWYN (‘Who Am I?’), Cat Burns (‘Early Twenties’), Corinne Bailey Rae (‘Black Rainbows’) and corto.alto (‘Bad With Names’).The list is rounded out by Nia Archives’ album ‘Silence Is Loud’, Ghetts’ ‘On Purpose, With Purpose’, and CMAT’s ‘Crazymad, For Me’.Following the announcement, many have been quick to take to social media to share their thoughts on the shortlist.“Guessed Charli would be nominated, also Last Dinner Party.

Beth Gibbons is a good shout, CMAT also, and I really like the English Teacher album. And a niche Jazz album, what more could you want?” wrote one user on X.“Also 8/12 are female artists or female-fronted bands.

NICE.”Also 8/12 are female artists or female-fronted bands. NICE.— Lazy Line Painter Nyika (@Puzzledbyadream) July 25, 2024Another shared their support for Corinne Bailey Rae, writing: “I don’t normally comment on the Mercury Prize because who cares what I think frankly.