The 2026 Mercury Prize shortlist has been unveiled, with Beatles legend Paul McCartney landing his first-ever nod for his latest solo album, ‘The Boys of Dungeon Lane’.
The most-recent project from the Liverpudlian music legend appears among this year’s 12 Albums of the Year, as unveiled on BBC Radio 6 Music.
The announcement was made by Jamz Supernova on Thursday morning (July 30), with Suede (‘Antidepressants’), Florence + The Machine (‘Everybody Scream’), RAYE (‘THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.’), Olivia Dean (‘The Art of Loving’), and JADE (‘THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY!’) also featured.
The full shortlist also includes Dave (‘The Boy Who Played the Harp’), Dove Ellis (‘Blizzard’), Knats (‘A Great Day in Newcastle’), Kojey Radical (‘Don’t Look Down’), Nia Archives (‘Emotional Junglist’). and War Child Records’ collaborative project ‘HELP(2)’.
The awards show returns to Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on October 22, where many of the nominated artists are expected to perform. BBC Music will broadcast coverage across its platforms.
Tickets for the 2026 Mercury Prize Albums of the Year ceremony are available now via axs.com/uk. The full list of nominees is below.
Dave – ‘The Boy Who Played the Harp’
Dove Ellis – ‘Blizzard’
Florence + The Machine – ‘Everybody Scream’
JADE – ‘THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY!’
Knats – ‘A Great Day In Newcastle’
Kojey Radical – ‘Don’t Look Down’
Nia Archives – ‘Emotional Junglist’
Olivia Dean – ‘The Art of Loving’
Paul McCartney – ‘The Boys of Dungeon Lane’
RAYE – ‘THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.’
Suede – ‘Antidepressants’
War Child Records – ‘HELP(2)’
