Mercury Shortlist Announced

Another year, another outrage at the Mercury Prize shortlist. Last year's rants were tinged with the mundanity of acts such as Rudimental and Laura Marling received noms. In 2014 it is this general feeling of anxiety that the important people in the industry are losing touch with music as the all seeing web is taking over. For example The BBC has made faux pas after faux pas in the last twelve months, including pasty Ed Sheeran being voted the most influential musician in Urban music and a senior member claiming that Playlists are the future (which isn't a obvious plug for BBC Playlister at all). The Mercury Prize panel ignore all Bandcamp EPs and anything which isn't a classic album, which to many seems quite narrow-minded and old fashioned in a day where Apple can send a wanky U2 album to every single human alive.

But what about the albums in the shortlist? Are they the best Britain has to offer? Have you even heard of them? And who even deserves to win? I'll go through a few of the LPs for your benefit.

Bombay Bicycle Club- So Long See You Tomorrow
The fourth album in a five years sees London boys BBC really live up to their sub-continental name, with more Indian vibes than a Friday night piss-up in Brick Lane. In comparison to their other albums, it has a much stronger pop feel which could be grasped quite easily as it is Bombay's first number one album. The LP is an excellent show of progression and how indie can be pushed forward in 2014, it's chances this year are slim.

Daman Albarn, Everyday Robots
Whether it be with Blur, Gorillaz or orchestras Albarn can't seem to put a foot wrong. His first true solo venture Everyday Robots was a funeral pyre for iPhones and tech. Like any 40ish man, Damon is wary of the new age of social media saturation and his album showed that. Despite it's moroseness Everyday Robots was dripping in genius, you felt alone listening to tracks like The Selfish Giant and jubilant during Mr Tembo. A fair bet could be put on Mr Blur.

FKA Twigs, LP1
In my opinion, FKA Twigs' album is the best British debut this year. The London born Tahliah Barnett makes unique and sparse beats, then lays her heavenly voice over- it's the closest we have to Grimes in the UK. Her first album is the next feather in the hat of the indie dance scene which includes SBTRKT, Sampha and now superstars The xx. Her original style is pushed throughout the album to create a singular piece of art in the form of music, and isn't that what we want from a Mercury Prize winner?

Royal Blood, Royal Blood
Everyone has heard of Brighton duo Royal Blood by now. You'll know them as the pair of guys in Topman leather who like to make loud music. And everyone loves them, from the blogs claiming they're the saviours of rock music to the 'shock' number one album (despite tonnes of air play and the best PR campaign this year). I'll let you into a secret- Royal Blood is not a groundbreaking or even a good album, it is middle of the road mindless rock for the lowest common denominator for those who believe a Nandos is a good night out.

Jungle, Jungle

What does CHIC, Daft Punk and Michael Jackson all have in common? They make us dance, and that's what Londoners Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland have set out to do with their group Jungle. Shrouded in mystery and monikers, the self-titled debut struck it big in the blogosphere and provided an alternative to the chart drivel EDM for people who wanted to dance. It's funky, un-offensive and a great listen. Tracks like The Heat and Time scream Barbecue weather. Is it Mercury worthy?, quite possibly.