Florence & The Machine, Jamie XX Shortlisted For World’s Most Esteemed Music Award

The shortlist for this year’s Mercury Prize have been revealed, with Florence & The Machine and Jamie XX in the running for the top honour.

The prestigious award sees 12 acts nominated, seven of which for their debut records.

“These musicians come from a fascinating variety of musical places, cultures and histories. What they have in common is the ambition and the craft, the ideas and the imagination to make great music,” said Mercury Prize Chair Of Judges Simon Frith.

The 2015 Mercury Prize shortlist consists of:

Aphex Twin – Syro

“There’s always been something quasi-mystical about the acid-weened, ginger Cornishman Richard D James, better known as Aphex Twin.” Read the full review here.

Benjamin Clementine – At Least For Now

C Duncan – Architect Eska – Eska

Florence + the Machine – How Big How Blue How Beautiful

“Honing her singing talent in her bedroom in Camberwell, in the last few years Florence Welch delightfully blossomed into one of England’s leading ladies of popular music.” Read the full review here.

Gaz Coombes – Matador

“And that’s when it hits you just how personal this record is. For a bloke whose very reputation was founded in camaraderie, the final moments’ claim that “The hardest fight is the one you fight alone” is nothing short of heartbreaking.” Read the full review here.

Ghostpoet – Shedding Skin

“Ghostpoet version 2.0 is a revolution, but the beta release might be the keeper.” Read the full review here.

Jamie xx – In Colour

“Jamie xx was best known for giving Gil Scott Heron’s entire final album, I’m New Here, a stunning overhaul; now he’s stepped out on his own, we get a proper glimpse of the impressive level of talent at work.” Read the full review here.

Róisín Murphy – Hairless Toys

“The closest this record comes to a ground-shaking moment is on the nine-minute Exploitation, where a minimal backdrop allows Murphy to gasp her way to something near a climax.” Read the full review here.

Slaves – Are You Satisfied

“Anyone looking for punk rock that wears ‘70s influences on its sleeve could do a hell of a lot worse than Slaves.” Read the full review here.

Soak – Before We Forgot How To Dream

“There are more hits than misses across Before We Forgot How To Dream, proving that SOAK deserves her new-found fame.” Read the full review here.

Wolf Alice – My Love Is Cool

“Fuzzy shoegaze in Soapy Water, light and bright poppy beats in Freazy and Rowsell’s razor-edged vocal in The Wonderwhy make it just plain mesmerising.” Read the full review here.