Häagen-Dazs MyCury Prize 2021 :: The Nominees
If 2021 has taught me anything, it is that every institution that we have been shaped by to get to this current state of worldwide despair and disaster really ought to be burned to the fucking ground.
And whilst there are certainly more culpable parties than most when it comes to apportioning blame on these so-called natural disasters, the continued persecution of minorities, the ever-widening chasm of wealth disparity and an out-and-out humanitarian crisis bore from a dodgy war campaign that led to the deaths of thousands for no more than a shrug and “Welp, We Tried”, this is but a lowly entertainment blog at heart, and I have to channel my ever-mounting sense of frustrated dread somehow without getting too overbearing. So in the grand spirit of getting too worked up on the Internet over something that is incredibly low-stakes in the grand scheme of things, here’s my lukewarm-take on one of the more reputable/pretentious dates in the annual UK music calendar, the (HYUNDAI) Mercury Prize, arriving a whole month after the 2021 nominations were unveiled because life keeps getting in the way of everything lately.
For those who may not be aware of its existence, the (HYUNDAI) Mercury Prize is an accolade bestowed by industry professionals onto a single album of notable quality that was released within the previous twelve months. Assumedly forged into the pop world aether in 1992 in response to the populist Brit Awards ceremony’s ongoing love affair with Phil Collins, the idea of this particular event was to highlight work from artists whose efforts may have been more critically lauded than unit-shiftingly successful, though even this riposte against popular taste couldn’t stop the likes of Take That, East 17 and Spice Girls from earning nominations in its first decade of being. Arguably seen as more of a forebear of future success after recognising debut works from left-of-centre upstarts as varied as Portishead, Dizzee Rascal and The xx, as well as the ceremony itself being a thoroughly schmoozy get-together for label bosses, managers and tastemakers, the Prize has managed to hold onto a substantial prestige over the years, to the point where even rival ceremonies are held on the very same night.
And now twenty-nine years later, whilst the cultural paradigm may have shifted several times as a certain sponsor looms large over the mantle, the (HYUNDAI) Mercury Prize is back with another selection of long-players apparently more worthy of your attention than most others you uncultured plebs, and here are my personal thoughts on the noms (and nots) therein…
Stuff I’m Not Crazy About But Onboard For
Collapsed In Sunbeams by Arlo Parks
The sweet-voiced songwriter already has a few notices under her belt for her debut album courtesy of the BBC and the Brit Awards, and as a result is one of the more likely candidates for the Mercury for her bittersweet brand of soul-pop.
DEMOTAPE/VEGA by BERWYN
Hitting that sweet spot between alternative hip hop and beleaguered soul, Berwyn’s under-the-radar debut mixtape reads as a slice-of-life paean full of wary observations and blinkered reminiscence, otherwise known as ‘Mercury Prize Catnip’.
Fir Wave by Hannah Peel
Already something of a best-kept-secret thanks to their work in film/TV scoring and arranging for other artists (Paul Weller among them), Peel’s fourth solo album secures a place on the roster for its ornate-yet-robust electronica.
For The First Time by Black Country, New Road
In the so-hip-they’re-almost-obnoxious category, you have this rabble-rousing lot of fledgling alternative noise-rockers, who manage to steer themselves onto the right side of pretentious artsiness thanks to sheer prodigious pluck.
Pink Noise by Laura Mvula
Scoring her third nomination for as many albums with Noise, Mvula’s latest release finds her embracing a more ecstatic pop sound than her previous work, though that unmistakable voice of hers is no less powerful in either funk or balladry mode.
Promises by Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra
Easily occupying the premier “Aww, Good For Them” spot on this particular sub-list, composer/producer/DJ Sam Sheperd’s first foray into contemporary classical music will certainly be too niche to win, but should at least gain some more airplay as a result.
Untitled (Rise) by SAULT
A secretive alternative soul group who managed to release two albums within the 2021 Mercury eligibility window despite their elusiveness, this particular set just edges the other out thanks to its more dynamic command of light and darkness.
Stuff That Passed Me By
Blue Weekend by Wolf Alice
As indie-pop poster-bands go, Wolf Alice are definitely one of the coolest and album three certainly takes serious strides ahead of their previous work; I just cannot help but feel like I’ve heard this particular brand of radio-friendly rock too many times before.
Not Your Muse by Celeste
If the key to winning the Mercury was ubiquity, Celeste would have easily left the other nominees in the dust; quite a shame then that it was her collaborations with other artists such as Lauren Auder and Black Coffee that constitute her best work.
But enough backhanded compliments, let’s crack on with some warm words of encouragement, starting with a few bon-mots regarding omissions that I feel still deserve mention whilst not quite making my particular final list..
A Common Turn by Anna B Savage
Soul-searching alternative pop with a starkly gothic bent.
Cavalcade by Black Midi
The formerly nominated art-rock noiseniks return with more joyously pure anxiety.
For Those I Love by For Those I Love
Very surprised this excoriating tribute to lost nights and loved ones didn’t make it, to be honest.
Immigrants by Nitin Sawhney
An album full of enough moments of beauty to give the composer a second chance at the prize.
Love And Dancing by Horse Meat Disco
The debut collection from one of London’s longest running club nights is unadulterated, discofied joy.
MAN MADE by Greentea Peng
Alternative R&B that tempers beatific serenity with cool, down-to-earth charm and energy.
New Long Leg by Dry Cleaning
A post-punk debut of the most fabulously snarky and dead-eyed variety.
Ultra Mono by IDLES
Yes, IDLES are so 2018 (not as much as slowthai though), but I still thought Ultra was good.
Xompulse by Sal Dulu
A lo-fi electronic gem heralding a new beatmaker for those after-hour moods.
And now we have gotten those over/undersights out of the way, here are my twelve picks for this most snooty and subjective of accolades.
HAAGEN-DAS MyCury Prize Nomms 2021 by Clark Villa
Firstly, I have to give the Mercury board some credit in noticing three albums which I agree rank as some of the best music releases of the past twelve months.
As The Love Continues by Mogwai
The venerable post-rockers and sometime-score-composers continue to have a rather good year by picking up their first Mercury Prize nomination for their first number one album on the UK chart, and richly deserved it is too.
Conflict Of Interest by Ghetts
Rapper Justin Clarke’s third album may be bestowed with the most formidable guest list roster of any album here, which makes the wordsmith’s incredible presence and flow that much more powerful in how he holds the listeners attention.
Source by Nubya Garcia
Of the debut albums nominated this year, Garcia’s set is easily the most rewarding, charting its progenitor’s personal history and influences with a refined prowess that cements her reputation as one of the jazz scene’s brightest performers.
And to fill out the rest of the twelve-album quota, here are the rest of my selections…
Agor by Koreless
Ten years after the release of his first EP, Lewis Roberts’ solo project’s debut album finally arrived, their inimitable style on fine display essaying a beguiling journey through soundscapes that are as much club-ready as they are introspective.
Black To The Future by Sons Of Kemet
Likely omitted due to Garcia taking the customary ‘Jazz Nomination Slot’, the supergroup’s fourth album may not have quite the same furious drive as their last LP, but it’s still more ribald and powerful than nearly every other album you can think of.
Decision Time by Charles Webster
After having done well to keep releasing singles and compilations amidst the nineteen years since his last proper album release, DJ/producer Webster quietly dropped a secret stunner of a deep house odyssey at the very end of 2020.
Inner Song by Kelly Lee Owens
Despite a response from the press so glowing it bordered on radioactive, Owens’ lack of citation from the Mercury board for her excellent second album’s blend of dream-pop and electronica reps as one of its more curious oversights.
Isles by Bicep
Maybe it tickled the 90s Rave-o-meter a little too vibrantly for the voters, but there’s no denying that the Belfast duo’s second album is one of if not the most consistently bop-filled dance albums of 2021, so it definitely deserved a shot.
On All Fours by Goat Girl
The post-punk band followed through on their ambitious debut quite wonderfully this year, opening up their sound to incorporate more abstract themes and lush arrangements that surely registered enough impressive growth to score a nomination?
Reflection by Loraine James
Her reputation confidently bubbling within the UK’s bass music scene over the past few years, James’ third album was greeted with a rapturous response from critics this summer for its equally playful and soulful take on night-out music (plus, she is responsible for my favourite Tweet of the year so far).
Róisín Machine by Róisín Murphy
Out of all of the omissions this year, snubbing the UK and Ireland’s best current pop star stings my gay core more than any other, especially considering Murphy wrought this post-disco masterpiece pretty much by herself.
Working Men’s Club by Working Men’s Club
Closing my choices out in alphabetical style, we have this fine slice of indie-flavoured synth pop, another overlooked debut that could have used some of the Mercury’s clout to get more would-be fans to notice.
But hey, that’s just my take on things; and if you’ve not got enough time to follow the links and listen to everything, please take note of the playlist I have made especially for you to navigate through my reasonings..
How about you though? Anything missing here on either list that you feel should have been noticed? Or are you too sick of industry-based meritocracy to even consider the HYUNDAI Mercury Prize to be worth bothering about? Please leave a comment below and share if it so moves you; in the meantime, take care, keep your headphones on and stay safe.
xxxo
