Little Simz, Kojey Radical, Joy Crookes shortlisted for Mercury Prize 2022

The shortlist for the 2022 Mercury Prize is in. 

The annual title awarded to the best album by a British or Irish musician is partnering with mobility app Free Now for this year’s prize. Little Simz’s ‘Sometimes I Might be Introvert’, Kojey Radical’s ‘Reason to Smile’ and Joy Crookes’ ‘Skin’ were nominated on the shortlist of 12 albums. See the full list below. 

Pop star Harry Styles’ third album ‘Harry’s House’, indie buzz band Wet Leg’s self-titled LP, Nova Twins’ ‘Supernova’, Gwenno’s ‘Tresor’  and Leeds rockers Yard Act’s ‘The Overload’ also made the list. Artists Jamz Supernova, Annie Mac, Anna Calvi, Hazel Wilde, Loyle Carner and Jamie Cullum feature on the judging panel.

The winner will be announced on 8th September at an awards show at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith. 

The 2021 Mercury Prize went to Arlo Parks over Floating Points and Pharoah Sanders, Ghetts, Nubya Garcia and SAULT, among others. 

In 2019, Mercury Prize and the BRIT Awards updated their eligibility criteria from British citizenship to artists who have resided in the UK for five years. There was an uproar after Japanese-British artist Rina Sawayama’s acclaimed debut album was not considered for the Prize despite living in the UK for more than 25 years at the time. 

The complete 2022 Mercury Prize with Free Now shortlist:

Fergus McCreadie: ‘Forest Floor’
Gwenno: ‘Tresor’
Harry Styles: ‘Harry’s House’
Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler: ‘For All Our Days That Tear the Heart’
Joy Crookes: ‘Skin’
Kojey Radical: ‘Reason to Smile’
Little Simz: ‘Sometimes I Might be Introvert’
Nova Twins: ‘Supernova’
Sam Fender: ‘Seventeen Going Under’
Self Esteem: ‘Prioritise Pleasure’
Wet Leg: ‘Wet Leg’
Yard Act: ‘The Overload’