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Alt-J, Django Django, Jessie Ware, Michael Kiwanuka, Field Music, Richard Hawley and more vying for 2012 Mercury Prize

by Bill Pearis

Django Django at Glasslands, March 2012 (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)
Django Django

The shortlist for the 2012 Mercury Prize, an award voted on by a panel of music industry professionals and journalists honoring UK albums of the year, was just announced:

The MaccabeesGiven to the Wild
Jessie WareDevotion
Alt-JAn Awesome Wave
Richard HawleyStanding at the Sky’s Edge
Michael KiwanukaHome Again
Lianne La HavasIs Your Love Big Enough
Ben HowardEvery Kingdom
Sam LeeGround of its Own
Field MusicPlumb
Django DjangoS/T
Roller TrioS/T
Plan BIll Manors

Odds seem pretty good for Alt-J (who play Bowery Ballroom tonight), who have not only made a great album with An Awesome Wave, but also the kind of album the Mercury Prize voters like. Though, though we shouldn’t count out Micheal Kiwanuka‘s Home Again or Jessie Ware‘s Devotion. Now in its 20th year, this year’s Mercury Prize will be given out November 1. (I am rooting for Django Django.) Last year’s winner was Let England Shake by PJ Harvey.