2026 Mercury Prize

2026 Mercury Prize

Albums of the Year

Listen to the 2026 Mercury Prize 'Albums of the Year'
Image Description

The Boy Who Played the Harp

Dave

‘The Boy Who Played the Harp’ is the third album from Dave. It was released in October 2025 on Neighbourhood Recordings and debuted at Number 1 in the UK Album Charts. The singles include ‘History’, ‘Chapter 16’, ‘Raindance’ and ‘No Weapons’.

Image Description

Blizzard

Dove Ellis

‘Blizzard’ is the debut album from Galway-born Dove Ellis. It was released in December 2025 on Black Butter Records/AMF Records. The album was produced by Dove Ellis and includes the singles ‘To The Sandals’ and ‘Pale Song/Love Is’.

Image Description

Everybody Scream

Florence + the Machine

Florence + the Machine released her sixth album ‘Everybody Scream’ in October 2025 on Polydor Records. The album debuted at Number 1 in the UK Album Charts and includes the singles ‘Everybody Scream’, ‘One of the Greats’, ‘Sympathy Magic’ and ‘Buckle’.

Image Description

That's Showbiz Baby!

JADE

JADE from South Shields released her debut solo album ‘That’s Showbiz Baby!’ in September 2025 on RCA/Sony Music. It debuted at Number 3 in the UK Album Charts and includes the singles ‘Angel of My Dreams’, ‘Midnight Cowboy’, ‘Fantasy’, ‘IT Girl’ and ‘Unconditional’.

Image Description

A Great Day In Newcastle

Knats

‘A Great Day In Newcastle’ is the second album from Newcastle band Knats. It was released in May 2026 on Fontana Records. The album was produced by Geordie Greep and includes the singles ‘Wor Jackie’ and ‘Never Gonna Be A Boxer’.

Image Description

Don't Look Down

Kojey Radical

‘Don’t Look Down’ is the second album from Kojey Radical. The album was released in September 2025 on Atlantic Records and includes the singles ‘Rule One’, ‘Conversation’, ‘Expensive’, ‘Everyday’, ‘Baby Boy’ and ‘Drinking My Water’.

Image Description

Emotional Junglist

Nia Archives

‘Emotional Junglist’ is the second album from Bradford-born, Leeds-raised Nia Archives. The album was released in July 2026 on Island Records and includes the singles ‘Danger’, ‘Boys in Blue’, ‘Vertical’ and ‘Get Me Down (feat. Jorja Smith)’.

Image Description

The Art of Loving

Olivia Dean

‘The Art of Loving’ is the second album from Olivia Dean. It was released in September 2025 on Capitol Records and debuted at Number 1 in the UK Album Charts. The singles include ‘Nice To Each Other’, ‘Lady Lady’, ‘Man I Need’, ‘So Easy (To Fall in Love)’, ‘A Couple Minutes’ and ‘Let Alone The One You Love’.

Image Description

The Boys from Dungeon Lane

Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney released his nineteenth solo studio album ‘The Boys of Dungeon Lane’ in May 2026 on EMI Records and it debuted at Number 1 in the UK Album Charts. The album was co-produced by Paul McCartney and Andrew Watt and includes the singles ‘Days We Left Behind’ and ‘Home to Us’.

Image Description

This Music May Contain Hope

RAYE

RAYE released her second album ‘THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.’ in March 2026 on the Human Re Sources label. It debuted at Number 1 in the UK Album Charts. The singles include ‘WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!’, ‘Nightingale Lane’, ‘Click Clack Symphony (feat. Hans Zimmer)’ and ‘I Know You’re Hurting’.

Image Description

Antidepressants

Suede

‘Antidepressants’ is the tenth studio album by Suede. It was released in September 2025 on BMG and debuted at Number 2 in the UK Album Charts. The album was produced by Ed Buller and includes the singles ‘Disintegrate’, ‘Trance State’ and ‘Dancing With The Europeans’.

Image Description

HELP(2)

War Child

HELP(2)’ was released in March 2026 on War Child Records and is a follow up to the first ‘HELP’ album released in 1995. ‘HELP(2)’ includes 15 original songs by British & Irish artists as well as other tracks. It was executive produced by James Ford and mainly recorded at Abbey Road Studios.