To celebrate the 2021 ‘Albums of the Year’, the Hyundai Mercury Prize has collaborated with US creator Matt Mirro, known artistically as Matt Acrylic, to produce intricate, miniature versions of each shortlisted album. The one of a kind creations were unveiled today on social media, ahead of tomorrow’s Awards Show where one artist will be revealed as the overall winner of the 2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize for ‘Album of the Year’.

View Matt Acrylic’s creations here: https://www.instagram.com/mercuryprize

Speaking about the collaboration, Matt explains: “As a born and raised New Yorker, music has always been a big part of my life. I’m continually trying to expand my cultural and artistic horizons and I have a massive appreciation for UK music across lots of genres, so I’m really glad I got to work with the Hyundai Mercury Prize. I was already very familiar with some of the artists on the shortlist including Mogwai, Wolf Alice and Ghetts, but it’s great to be able to experience even more of the UK scene. Painting the 12 albums was definitely a challenge! For example, Floating Points’ artwork required a geometric approach to ensure efficient spacing; Laura Mvula’s required lots of textural layers whilst keeping the temperature of the piece consistent; and creating three different facial portraits for Ghetts was quite mind-boggling.”

The 2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize Awards Show will take place tomorrow, Thursday 9 September, at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith and will be hosted by BBC Radio 6 Music’s Lauren Laverne. Broadcaster and author Annie Mac will announce the overall winner.

Across the night Arlo Parks; BERWYN; Black Country, New Road; Celeste; Ghetts; Hannah Peel; Laura Mvula; Mogwai; Nubya Garcia; and Wolf Alice will perform live, in a celebration of the album shortlist.

Tickets are available here: https://bit.ly/3BRbxYJ

The Prize’s broadcast partner, BBC Music, will be providing live television and radio coverage of the event on BBC Four & on BBC Radio 6 Music. BBC Four will broadcast Hyundai Mercury Prize 2021 Live: Album of the Year (9pm-10.15pm) and The Mercury Prize on BBC Radio 6 Music will behosted by Tom Ravenscroft(8pm-12am).

The Hyundai Mercury Prize ‘Albums of the Year’ celebrate and promote the best of British and Irish music recognising artistic achievement across a range of contemporary music genres.

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 continue to partner the Hyundai Mercury Prize, helping to celebrate the album format and the shortlisted artists’ creative achievements.

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’