Olivia Dean has received a nomination for this year's Mercury Prize, positioning her as a strong contender for the £25,000 award that honors outstanding albums. Her second record, "The Art of Loving," has already secured album of the year accolades at both the Brits and the Mobo Awards.
The nomination list also includes a first-time nod for 84-year-old Sir Paul McCartney for his album "The Boys of Dungeon Lane." Other artists in contention are Suede, Jade, Raye, and Nia Archives.
However, Lily Allen's album "West End Girl," which received critical praise for its candor and musical innovation in examining the collapse of her marriage, was a notable omission. Reviews described the work as "breathtaking and heartbreaking" and "a brutal, tell-all masterpiece." While artists self-submit for the prize, making it unclear if Allen was snubbed or simply not considered, she was previously nominated for her 2018 album "No Shame."
Other significant omissions from the shortlist include Harry Styles' "Kiss All The Time" and Gorillaz' "The Mountain."