Artist News Awards

Mercury Prize shortlist sticks to classic listing format

By | Published on Friday 28 July 2017

Mercury Prize

The Mercury Prize shortlist for 2017 has been announced. You probably know that already. But what a list it is! Lovely formatting, bullet points and everything. Can’t fault it on its adherence to the rules of listing things. If I had to nit-pick, it would only be that some of the names on it are wrong. Otherwise, great job guys!

Commenting on the handiwork, the judging panel harmonised this statement: “This year’s Hyundai Mercury Prize shortlist celebrates the remarkable power of British music. What these artists have in common is an infectious pleasure in music making and an arresting sense of urgency about the music they make. They delight in exploring musical possibilities and refusing to be pinned down by genre conventions”.

They’re being all coy about the actual formatting of the list. No need to be modest, judges! The formatting really is impeccable. Let’s take a look:

• Alt-J – Relaxer
• Blossoms – Blossoms
• Dinosaur – Together, As One
• Ed Sheeran – Divide
• Glass Animals – How To Be A Human Being
• J Hus – Common Sense
• Kate Tempest – Let Them Eat Chaos
• Loyle Carner – Yesterday’s Gone
• Sampha – Process
• Stormzy – Gang Signs & Prayer
• The Big Moon – Love In The Fourth Dimension
• The xx – I See You

Alphabetised by artist name too. Just wonderful. If there was a prize for formatting lists, I reckon this would win it. Simple and to the point. Love it. Great job.

As is tradition, the list will be edited further by controversially cutting it down to just one bullet at the Hammersmith Apollo on 14 Sep.



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