2023
SHORTLIST
The Car
Arctic MonkeysThe Sheffield band released their seventh album ‘The Car’ in November 2022 on Domino Recordings. The album reached Number 2 in the UK Album Charts and was produced by James Ford. It features the singles ‘There'd Better Be a Mirrorball’, ‘Body Paint’ and ‘I Ain't Quite Where I Think I Am’.
Where I'm Meant To Be
Ezra Collective‘Where I’m Meant to Be’ is Ezra Collective’s second album. It was released in November 2022 on Partisan Records. The five-piece jazz collective is made up of Femi Koleoso (drums), TJ Koleoso (bass), Joe Armon-Jones (keys), James Mollison (saxophone) and Ife Ogunjobi (trumpet).
Actual Life 3 (January 1 - September 9 2022)
Fred again..‘Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022)’ is the third solo album from Fred again.. It was released in October 2022 on Atlantic Records UK and reached Number 4 in the UK Album Charts. The album includes the singles ‘Danielle (smile on my face)’, ‘Delilah (pull me out of this)’ and ‘Clara (the night is dark)’.
Beautiful and Brutal Yard
J Hus‘Beautiful And Brutal Yard’ is the third studio album from J Hus. It reached Number 1 in the UK Album Charts. The album includes guest appearances from Drake, Naira Marley, Jorja Smith, Burna Boy and Popcaan. It was released in July 2023 on Black Butter Records and includes the singles ‘It’s Crazy’ and ‘Who Told You’.
That! Feels Good!
Jessie Ware‘That! Feels Good!’ is the fifth album from Jessie Ware and it was released in April 2023 on EMI Records. It reached Number 3 on the UK Album Charts. The album was produced by James Ford and Stuart Price and features the singles ‘Free Yourself’, ‘Pearls’ and ‘Begin Again’.
I Love You Jennifer B
JockstrapJockstrap are Georgia Ellery and Taylor Skye. ‘I Love You Jennifer B’ is their debut album and it was released in September 2022 on Rough Trade Records. The album was self-produced and includes the singles ‘50/50’, ‘Concrete Over Water’, ‘Glasgow’ and ‘Greatest Hits’.
False Lankum
LankumIrish four-piece Lankum’s fourth studio album ‘False Lankum’ was released in March 2023 on Rough Trade Records. The album was produced by John Murphy and Lankum. It was recorded at Hellfire Studios, Dublin. The band is made up of brothers Ian and Daragh Lynch, Cormac Mac Diarmada and Radie Peat.
hugo
Loyle Carner‘hugo’ is Loyle Carner’s third album and it was released in October 2022 on EMI Records. The album was recorded at Hackney Road Studios and Livingston Studios in London. It reached Number 3 in the UK Album Charts and features the singles ‘Hate’, ‘Georgetown’ and ‘Nobody Knows (Ladas Road)’.
Messy
Olivia Dean‘Messy’ is the debut album from Olivia Dean. It was released in June 2023 on EMI Records and reached Number 4 in the UK Album Charts. The album was executive produced by Matt Hales and includes the singles ‘Danger’, ‘UFO’, ‘Dive’ and ‘Hardest Part’.
My 21st Century Blues
RAYE‘My 21st Century Blues’ is the debut album from RAYE. It was released in February 2023 on Human Re Sources and reached Number 2 in UK Album Charts. The album features guest appearances from Mahalia and 070 Shake and includes the singles ‘Hard Out Here’, ‘Escapism’ and ‘Flip a Switch’.
Nymph
Shygirl‘Nymph’ is the debut album from Shygirl. It was released on Because Music in September 2022. The album was executive produced by Shygirl and Sega Bodega. It includes the singles ‘Firefly’, ‘Come for Me’ and ‘Nike’.
Heavy Heavy
Young FathersScottish three-piece Young Fathers are Alloysious Massaquoi, Graham ‘G’ Hastings and Kayus Bankole. They released their fourth album ‘Heavy Heavy’ in February 2023 on Ninja Tune. It reached Number 7 in the UK Album Charts and includes the singles ‘Geronimo’, ‘I Saw’, ‘Tell Somebody’ and ‘Rice’.