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Artist News Awards
Arlo Parks wins the Mercury Prize
By Andy Malt | Published on Friday 10 September 2021
Arlo Parks was last night announced as this year’s winner of the Mercury Prize for her album ‘Collapsed In Sunbeams’.
“It took a lot of sacrifice and hard work to get here”, she said while accepting the award. “There were moments where I wasn’t sure whether I would make it through – but I am here today, so thank you very much”.
The judging panel added in a statement: “It was extremely difficult to choose a winner of the 2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize. There were so many strong albums, of such diversity and character. But in the end we decided that Arlo Parks was an extremely worthy winner”.
“Addressing such complex issues as mental health and sexuality with real empathy, displaying a lyrical wisdom that belied her 21 years, with ‘Collapsed In Sunbeams’ Arlo Parks has created an album that has captured the spirit of the year in a positive, forward thinking fashion”, they went on. “It has the ability to reach out and remind a wider audience of the timeless art of the album. Arlo is an artist who connects deeply with her generation and reflects the plurality of contemporary British life”.
Also up for the prize this year were Berwyn, Black Country New Road, Celeste, Floating Points, Ghetts, Hannah Peel, Laura Mvula, Mogwai, Nubya Garcia, Sault and Wolf Alice. As winner, Parks takes away a cheque for £25,000 and a nice big trophy.
