THE 12 albums nominated for the prestigious Barclaycard Mercury Prize have been announced - with the chair of judges hailing the artists’ “inventive passion”.

Anna Calvi, Bombay Bicycle Club, Damon Albarn, East India Youth, FKA twigs, GoGo Penguin, Jungle, Kate Tempest, Nick Mulvey, Polar Bear, Royal Blood and Young Fathers are all up for the Album of the Year accolade, which is among the music industry’s most coveted.

This year’s Barclaycard Mercury Prize shortlist confirms that these are fascinating times for UK music”, says Simon Frith, Chair of Judges. “There are seven outstanding debut albums here, and five records by more established artists, all pursuing exciting new directions. What most impressed the judges was the inventive passion with which musicians explore music and emotional possibilities, refusing to be pinned down by rules or genre.”

Oxford Mail:

Rocking: Royal Blood

The shortlist, chosen from an entry of over 220 albums, was announced by Alice Levine at an event at The Hospital Club in London’s Covent Garden.

The winner will be announced at the Barclaycard Mercury Prize Awards Show at North London’s Roundhouse, on Wednesday October 29.

Full list of albums:

Anna Calvi - One Breath

Bombay Bicycle Club - So Long, See You Tomorrow

Damon Albarn - Everyday Robots

East India Youth - Total Strife Forever

FKA twigs - LP1

GoGo Penguin - v2.0

Jungle - Jungle

Kate Tempest - Everybody Down

Nick Mulvey - First Mind

Polar Bear - In Each and Every One

Royal Blood - Royal Blood

Young Fathers - Dead

Oxford Mail:

Nominated: Bombay Bicycle Club