London-based journalist and author, chief rock & pop critic for The Times
The Mercury Prize shortlist has been announced, with Olivia Dean and Nia Archives among favourites. The ceremony will be held at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on October 22, with contenders including Dave, Florence + the Machine, and Suede. Olivia Dean is the bookies’ 2/1 favourite, while Nia Archives is priced at 2/1, and Dave sits at 10/3 to win the Mercury Prize.
The Mercury Prize shortlist includes big names like Olivia Dean, Paul McCartney, Raye, and Florence + the Machine, while Lily Allen’s West End Girl is absent, prompting questions about the prize’s choices. The Independent notes the album’s critical acclaim and chart success, and the Guardian highlights the lineup’s blend of legacy acts and rising stars as the ceremony nears in Newcastle.