Mercury Gongs

Since giving all my time to Radiohead, I haven't given much time to listening to anything else. But next week marks a huge day in music for me. It’s this years Mercury Music Prize and this is the first year I actually care about it. There are 12 albums up for the award and I think my opinion on my favourites justifies a post. 

An Awesome Wave - alt-J

One sunny evening when I was driving home from a lovely day out, I first heard of Alt-J. "Tessellate" was featured on the radio and it very quickly became a track I enjoyed. It's quirky rhythm, twinned with an almost dub step sound was pretty mesmerising. It made me very interested to hear what else would come from this band. Festival season hit and I managed to miss them 3 times. I wasn't too fussed as I had yet to hear the rest of the album. Now, I would fight to see them. The album is filled with brilliant melodies and fantastic arrangements that leave you thinking of a sort of Maccabees/Radiohead mix. It's a perfect summer soundtrack with songs such as 'Matilda' and 'Fitzpleasure' lingering in your mind for hours. Their unique style and sound could make them a perfect candidate for the Mercury Prize. 

Every Kingdom - Ben Howard

Oh Ben. You wonderful man. This album is what dreams are made of. Soulful tunes that grasp you from the very first note. Ben Howard’s album is a storybook that is filled with tales and adventures that you just cannot get enough of. Romantic and inspiring are two words I would use to describe it (can you tell I love this album yet?). My favourites include "Keep Your Head Up" and "The Wolves" with both tracks filling you with a sense of hope and wistfulness. I saw Ben live at Latitude Festival and loved every second of it. Do I think he is in for a chance at the Mercury Prize? I am not so sure. He is a bit to everyday for this award but I could be wrong...

Ill Manors - Plan B

This album may not be something I would obviously listen to, but no one can doubt how much impact it’s had this year. You couldn't move without hearing this on radio stations and music channels. It has a massively different sound to anything else on the list, which could give it an edge over everyone. Clever lyrics and story telling have made sure this album could be a winner.

Django Django - Django Django

Edinburgh based band Django Django stormed my summer. I saw them at three festivals and have listened to their album on repeat for hours. "Default" is a definite contender as my track of the summer having played it constantly on radio and introducing it to anyone who will listen. Their self-titled album is filled with upbeat tracks that will keep any dance floor moving. They are unusual and have an interesting edge to them. I would class them as one of the well less known artists on the Mercury Prize list but I think they deserve it. They bring a new flavour to the musical table that is 2012 and create something that bit different. I think they could stand a good shot but could have difficulty competing with some of the bigger names. 

Devotion - Jessie Ware

I have given Jessie Ware a couple of plays recently. Her tracks "101%" and "Night light" are pure brilliance. Quirky beats with beautiful vocal's make for astounding records. The album makes for very good listening and I think there will be lots more to come from this lovely lady. She bringing something quite interesting to the music industry and I think Devotion could be up amongst the top albums in this list. 

Home Again - Michael Kiwanuka

Back in February of this year, I had the pleasure of seeing Michael Kiwanuka in King Tuts. Since then this man has shot to fame. His voice is astounding and his tracks are filled with honesty and love. Home Again is a genuine feel good album that should be heard in houses around the land. Michael won the honoured title of BBC Sound of 12, something that I have no doubt to be true. It would be a nice surprise if he managed to pick up the Mercury Gong. 

Given To The Wild - The Maccabees

This album is the sound of the year to me. The Maccabee's came back with a stormer of an album. With tracks like "Ayla" and "Feel to Follow", this album is undoubtedly brilliant. Upbeat melodies give it great soul and depth. I find it difficult to express how it makes me feel because I am so attached to it. The first time I heard it, I was blown away by how much was going on in each track but how it all just fit together beautifully. I had the greatest pleasure of seeing them live at Reading and I was not disappointed. I would love for them to win the Mercury Prize. I think they deserve the credit.

I know there’s a few missing, but I felt I couldn't pass judgement if I hadn't given the albums fair time. Lianne La Havas could put up a good fight (Having seen her live, she is pretty damn good and what I know of the album has impressed) or it could go to one of the acts I have never heard of (Included in this list are Field Music, Roller Trio and Sam Lee). Richard Hawley falls into the same category as Lianne La Haves except I have much less appreciation or awareness of his music. 

The whole thing is pretty exciting and I look forward to hearing who will win. If I had to put my money on someone... alt-J.