Olivia Dean nominated and Lily Allen snubbed in Mercury Prize list

This year's best album shortlist includes several returning nominees - but Lily Allen misses out.

Paul McCartney becomes first-time nominee for Mercury prize, up against Olivia Dean, Dave and more

Big names including Raye and Suede face off against smaller artists such as Knats and Nia Archives for prestigious album award A formidable array of chart-topping A-listers feature in a competitive shortlist for the 2026 Mercury prize, the prestigious award which honours the best album of the year by a British or Irish artist. Despite the prize’s history stretching back to 1992, Paul McCartney gets his first ever nomination this year, for his album The Boys of Dungeon Lane, a hugely affecting...

By Ben Beaumont-Thomas

Paul McCartney, Olivia Dean and Raye Make Mercury Prize Shortlist

Paul McCartney has received his first-ever nomination for the U.K.’s prestigious Mercury Prize alongside Olivia Dean, Raye and more. The shortlist for the prize, which recognizes outstanding British albums, was unveiled on Thursday. Nominees include McCartney for “The Boys of Dungeon Lane”; Dean for “The Art of Loving”; Raye for “This Music May Contain Hope”; […]

By Ellise Shafer

RAYE, Olivia Dean & Paul McCartney Among 2026 Mercury Prize Nominees – See Full List

The annual music prize recognises outstanding albums by U.K. and Irish artists from the past year.

By Thomas Smith

Music fans react to Mercury Prize 2026 shortlist

Paul McCartney, JADE, Nia Archives, Dove Ellis, and more are up for the prize this year The post Music fans react to Mercury Prize 2026 shortlist appeared first on NME.

By Alex Rigotti