English Teacher have been crowned overall winner of the 2024 Mercury Prize for their album This Could Be Texas.
Broadcaster, author and podcaster Annie Macmanus and 6 Music presenter Huw Stephens were hosts of the Mercury Prize 2024: Album of the Year TV programme, live from Abbey Road Studios.
Guest presenter, 6 Music’s Jamz Supernova announced the overall winner on behalf of the judging team.
The judging team said: “This has been a really tough year for the Mercury Prize judges, with the final 12 albums being so reflective of our diverse and rich musical landscape. There was so much passion and enthusiasm for each one.
“In the end, though, we did agree that This Could Be Texas by English Teacher stands out for its originality and character. A winning lyrical mix of surrealism and social observation, alongside a subtle way of wearing its musical innovations lightly, displays a fresh approach to the traditional guitar band format. This Could Be Texasreveals new depths on every listen; the mark of a future classic.
“The Mercury Prize was set up to celebrate the album as an artistic format in its own right and all the judges agreed that this charismatic body of work deserves to be the 2024 Mercury Prize Album of the Year.”
This year’s Awards Show saw artists come together to watch each other’s recent recorded performances and celebrate each other’s work, before the overall winner was announced.
The 2024 Mercury Prize 12 ‘Albums of the Year’ are:
Barry Can't Swim When Will We Land?
BERWYN Who Am I
Beth Gibbons Lives Outgrown
Cat Burns early twenties
Charli xcx BRAT
CMAT Crazymad, for Me
Corinne Bailey Rae Black Rainbows
corto.alto Bad with Names
English Teacher This Could Be Texas
Ghetts On Purpose, With Purpose
Nia Archives Silence Is Loud
The Last Dinner Party Prelude to Ecstasy
The Mercury Prize recognises and celebrates the ‘Albums of the Year’, establishing a reputation for highlighting the work of both exciting emerging talent and more established bands and artists. The 12 ‘Albums of the Year’ are chosen by an independent judging panel and recognise artistic achievement across a range of genres. Albums by British and Irish artists with a UK release date between 15 July 2023 and 12 July 2024 are eligible for the 2024 Prize.
The 2024 Mercury Prize judges are: Danielle Perry – Broadcaster & Writer; Jamie Cullum - Musician & Radio 2 Broadcaster; Jamz Supernova – 6 Music Broadcaster & DJ; Jeff Smith - Head of Music, Radio 2 & 6 Music; Lea Stonhill – Music Programming Consultant; Mistajam – Songwriter, DJ & Broadcaster; Phil Alexander – Creative Director, Kerrang!/Contributing Editor, Mojo; Sian Eleri – Radio 1 Broadcaster & DJ; Will Hodgkinson - Chief Rock & Pop Critic, The Times; Sophie Williams – Music Writer & Broadcaster. The Chair of the judging team is Jeff Smith. The judging team met on 5 September to decide on the overall winning album.
Photo: Denmarc Creary