(Originally posted on Tumblr in 2015)

It’s the 16th of October, and I have just finished hearing the 2015 Mercury Prize nominations on BBC 6 Music. Last year, I followed the media coverage religiously after one of my favourite artists, East India Youth was nominated. I found the experience enlightening and educational. Although there were still some questionable nominations in the mix (Bombay Bicycle Club and Royal Blood), it was clear to see that a majority of the artists nominated showed clear talent and musicianship. In my opinion, the best act didn’t win, but I was still able to feel a sense of pride in British music, and I discovered a number of fantastic artists that I hadn’t heard before. 

This year, I feel thoroughly let down by the shortlisted acts.  Whilst I haven’t heard of many artists, the previews of the albums played on the radio after each nomination are boring, lacking emotion and bring nothing new to the table. They leave me with no desire to actually find and listen to the full albums, and a bitter sense of injustice for all the brilliant albums released this year that have been overlooked by the judges. In the disappointing aftermath of the nominations, I have been wondering to myself whether the prize is still relevant after 23 years. 

The prize has been regarded as prestigious since its first ceremony in 1992. Looking back through the years, there have been many clear winners, as well as nominated albums, that have defined generations. On the other hand, even in years leading up to now, there are some dreadful nominations such as The Spice Girls and Mumford and Sons that confuse me and make me want to scratch my eyes out.  This year’s nominees are disappointing at best, and over the years the number of nominated acts that have actually deserved the prize has decreased dramatically. 

One thing that I have to question is whether Ghostpoet should be nominated, after being nominated twice previously as well as being a judge for the prize. Obviously there is nothing stopping him from taking part in both sides of the party but surely it’s slightly unfair to artists who haven’t even been nominated once before? Furthermore, this year’s favourite, Jamie XX has won the prize already (albeit with a different band for a different genre of music, however the situation remains the same). But if we start to exclude people who have been nominated/involved before, then will we encourage new artists to write and release albums, or will we contribute to the reputation of the prize going downhill?

Likewise, Florence and the Machine in my opinion doesn’t deserve the nomination due to already being a well-known artist who doesn’t need the publicity, (and also for generally being really boring). Similarly, the nomination of Gaz Coombes is equally as ridiculous. Much like Damon Albarn in 2014, Gaz Coombes seems to be the token ‘Dad’ artist thrown in to make older music fans feel involved. There’s nothing wrong with this, but if these artists are already at the point in their career where my Dad knows who they are, then surely they’re more suited to an ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music’, or ‘Godlike Genius’ award than one that is suited for young artists trying to kick-start their careers (which is what the Mercury prize has been known to do)? 

This year, the nominations are predominantly forgettable. In retrospect, I shouldn’t have had such high hopes for the nominations since the prize has appeared to have been in a downward spiral for a few years now, but I can’t help but want my favourite British artists to be celebrated in a way that no other awards ceremony can come close to. Actually winning an NME or Brit award has nowhere near as much esteem as a mere nomination for a Mercury has.  My two clear winners this year are Wolf Alice and Jamie XX. Neither artist is particularly ground-breaking, but they are miles ahead of the other artists. Perhaps the Mercury Music Prize is in need of a revamp, but I doubt it will happen. Until then, I will regard the Prize in the same way as I do with ‘Later Live with Jools Holland’ and ‘Top of the Pops’: Outdated, and sometimes not relevant, but still comes with a wash of pride when your favourite acts get involved.