Guessing games with the Mercury Prize
, One Breath: Imperious south London singer, whose music walks a tightrope between Nick Cave and 1970s troubadours, such as Tim Buckley. Her full-fat playing draws on cinematic influences, such as Ennio Morricone. Calvi’s second LP doesn’t represent a huge creative leap forward — but is piled high with memorable riffs and choruses. Will She Win? Probably not.
, Everyday Robots: He lowers the tempo with a collection of phlegmatic ballads inspired by his childhood in suburban Colchester. He has an outside shot.
[/media]http://youtu.be/rjbiUj-FD-o[/media]
Tahlia Barnett’s debut album is haunting and splices r’n’ b, pop, krautrock, electronica and numerous other influences. Very possibly.
Still in their early 20s, the Londoners’ fourth LP is a satisfying blend of anthemic sentiments and sterling song-craft. Will They Win? Unlikely.
William Doyle has concocted a confessional dance album. Abstruse one moment, heartfelt the next, it’s like nothing you’ve heard before. It would be a surprise.
On its merits, their second LP is absolutely worthy of its place — incorporating electronic, classical and trip-hop elements, they bravely push a multitude of envelopes. But let’s be honest: they’re only here because they are a ‘jazz’ act. Nooooooo.....
The bookies have listed them fourth in the pecking order — but, for our money, this London duo are the dark horses. With a sublime r’n’b sound, esoteric but very, very more-ish, they represent the coming together of several edgy music trends. It is a distinct possibility.
Second favorite Tempest is a performance poet and rapper. However, it’s just five years since the judges went out on a limb and gave the prize to another rapper/poet type,
her LP went on to be one of the biggest flops in the history of the Mercury. The pundits think she may — we disagree.
Jazz-inflected singer-songwriter whose solo debut is agreeably understated. The problem is that ten minutes after you’ve listened you may struggle to recall a single note. Will who win?
Another jazz shortlisting, led by Seb Rochford. They’ve been here before and never had a whiff of victory. Same again.
Are you ready to rock? The bass-and-drum-only partnership — they rely on FX pedals and distortion to conjure their guitar-esque fugues — builds on the power-duo template of White Stripes, Black Keys, et al. Recently became the first rock band in a year to top the UK album charts — that their music is relatively avant-garde may advance their cause. It’s a distinct possibility.
The debut LP from this Scottish hip-hop trio is pleasingly abstruse, heaving with odd-ball samples and sinuous wordplay. You hope the exposure does them good. A Scottish hip-hop ensemble has never won the Mercury. No.
- The Mercury Prize is live on Channel 4 at 10pm this evening.
