The 2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize ‘Albums of the Year’ were announced on Thursday 22 July.

The 2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize ‘Albums of the Year’ are:

• Arlo Parks ‘Collapsed in Sunbeams’
• BERWYN ‘DEMOTAPE/VEGA’
• Black Country, New Road ‘For the First Time’
• Celeste ‘Not Your Muse’
• Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra ‘Promises’
• Ghetts ‘Conflict of Interest’
• Hannah Peel ‘Fir Wave’
• Laura Mvula ‘Pink Noise’
• Mogwai ‘As the Love Continues’
• Nubya Garcia ‘SOURCE’
• SAULT ‘Untitled (Rise)’
• Wolf Alice ‘Blue Weekend’

The Hyundai Mercury Prize ‘Albums of the Year’ celebrate and promote the best of British & Irish music recognising artistic achievement across a range of contemporary music genres. The shortlist was chosen by an independent judging panel and was revealed at a launch event, hosted by BBC Music’s Huw Stephens on 22 July 2021. The shortlist was also announced live on air just after 11am on BBC Radio 6 Music,with a Mercury Prize special from midday presented by Huw Stephens.

The 2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize judges are: Anna Calvi – Musician & Songwriter; Annie Mac – Broadcaster & DJ; Danielle Perry – Broadcaster & Writer; Gemma Cairney – Broadcaster & DJ; Hazel Wilde (from Lanterns on the Lake) - Musician & Songwriter; Jamie Cullum - Musician & Broadcaster; Jeff Smith - Head of Music, 6 Music & Radio 2; Michael Kiwanuka - Musician & Songwriter; Mike Walsh - Music Consultant; Phil Alexander – Creative Director, Kerrang!/Contributing Editor, Mojo; Tshepo Mokoena – Editorial Director, VICE.com; Will Hodgkinson - Chief Rock & Pop Critic, The Times. The Chair of the judging panel is Jeff Smith.

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. There was an embarrassment of riches for this year’s Hyundai Mercury Prize judges to choose from, but the final twelve show how diverse, vibrant and far-reaching British music continues to be. Choosing one winner out of twelve albums that bring so much hope for the future will be a challenge indeed’.

The 2021 Awards Show will take place on Thursday 9 September at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith. The event will feature live performances from many of the shortlisted artists and the evening will culminate in the announcement of the overall winner of the 2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize for ‘Album of the Year’. The Prize’s broadcast partner, BBC Music, will be providing coverage of the event across BBC TV, radio, online & social media.

Hyundai, the title sponsor of the Prize, is thrilled with the list this year. Out of the most challenging times has come the most extraordinary creativity and as a brand that likes to push the boundaries ourselves, we’re delighted to hear innovative music that breaks new ground and inspires a better world.

As part of its ongoing commitment to support UK recorded music, renowned British audio brand, Bowers & Wilkins, will continue as a partner of the Hyundai Mercury Prize, helping to celebrate the album format and the shortlisted artists’ creative achievements.