Mercury Prize 2021 shortlist: Wolf Alice land third nomination as Arlo Parks and Celeste compete

Wolf Alice have secure their third Mercury Prize 2021 nod (Picture: Getty Images)

Wolf Alice have led the Hyundai Mercury Prize 2021 shortlist securing their third nomination, while Arlo Parks and Celeste are among the hot contenders. 

The London indie band have earned a nod for their third number one album, Blue Weekend, as the shortlist was announced on Thursday. 

Led by Ellie Roswell, the rockers won the Mercury Prize in 2018 with their second album Visions Of A Life, while their 2015 debut My Love Is Cool also scooped the honour. 

BBC Music’s Huw Stephens did the honour of announcing the other 11 acts nominated for best British album of the year. 

Brit Award-winning soul singer Celeste has earned her first Mercury Prize nomination for her debut album Not Your Muse, which topped the charts in January.

Arlo Parks is in the running with her critically acclaimed debut album, Collapsed In Sunbeams, which was released in January. 

Laura Mvula reached another milestone as she’s secured her third nomination with Pink Noise. Incredibly, all three of her studio albums have been shortlisted for the prize but she is yet to win.

Celeste is competing with her debut album Not Your Muse (Picture: PA)

Arlo Parks is hoping to win the grand prize for the first time (Picture: PA)

The shortlist also sees Scottish post-rock group Mogwai score their first nomination, amazingly more than 25 years after they were founded in Glasgow. Their 10th record, As The Love Continues, also earned them their first number one in February. 

This year’s judging panel is made up of DJ Annie Mac, musician Jamie Cullum, songwriter Anna Calvi, broadcaster Danielle Perry, DJ Gemma Cairney and musician Hazel Wilde. 

The judges said: ‘It is testament to the strength of British music that, during a year which saw musicians face the toughest challenges of their lives, so many remarkable albums came out nonetheless.

Berwyn has also been shortlisted (Picture: PA)

Hannah Peel holds the shortlist trophy (Picture: PA)

‘There was an embarrassment of riches for this year’s Hyundai Mercury Prize judges to choose from, but the final 12 show how diverse, vibrant and far-reaching British music continues to be.

‘Choosing one winner out of 12 albums that bring so much hope for the future will be a challenge indeed.”

More: Mercury Music Prize

Last year’s Mercury Prize was won by Michael Kiwanuka with his third album Kiwanuka, having managed to fend off competition from Stormzy, Laura Marling and Dua Lipa.

The ceremony will take place on September 9 at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith and will feature live performances from many of the shortlisted artists.

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