Paul McCartney gets first Mercury prize nomination at age 83

The 2026 Mercury prize shortlist features a mix of chart-topping veterans and emerging talent, with Paul McCartney receiving his first-ever nomination at age 83 for his album The Boys of Dungeon Lane. The album reflects on his Liverpool childhood and friendships with his Beatles bandmates.

McCartney's emotional connection

Speaking to the Guardian upon the album's release in May, McCartney said he felt the presence of John Lennon while writing. “My collaborator was probably one of the best writers of the century, so, yeah, you’re going to miss him. But when I write [about a specific place], I kind of know he would’ve known it. I can gauge his reaction: that’s good, stick that in.”

Strong competition from Olivia Dean and Dave

McCartney faces fierce competition from Olivia Dean, whose album The Art of Loving dominated the Brit awards and spent 42 of its 43 weeks in the UK Top 5, including eight weeks at number one. Rapper Dave, a previous Mercury winner for 2019's Psychodrama, is nominated for The Boy Who Played the Harp, which includes the global hit Raindance. Dave's album received a five-star review from the Guardian, praising him as “a fantastically smart, sharp lyricist.”

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Raye, Florence + the Machine, and Suede return

Raye earns her second consecutive nomination for This Music May Contain Hope, an ambitious symphonic album. Florence + the Machine receives her fourth Mercury nomination for Everybody Scream, described by the Guardian as “rounded musically and emotionally.” If she loses, only Radiohead would have been nominated more times without winning. Suede, winners of the 1993 Mercury for their debut, return with Antidepressants, which reached number two on the UK charts.

Compilation album and dark horses

A rare compilation, Help(2), recorded at Abbey Road for War Child, is nominated. It features artists including Arctic Monkeys, Pulp, Sampha, English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Young Fathers, and Beth Gibbons. The only other compilation nominated in Mercury history was 1995's The Help Album. Irish singer-songwriter Dove Ellis is considered a dark horse with Blizzard, which earned a five-star Guardian review. Jazz outfit Knats are nominated for A Great Day in Newcastle, featuring a large cast of musicians.

Diverse shortlist and notable snubs

Eight of the 12 nominated albums feature artists of colour. Notable snubs include Lily Allen's West End Girl, Harry Styles, Gorillaz, Ed Sheeran, and Charli xcx's Wuthering Heights soundtrack. Blood Orange's Essex Honey missed eligibility by one day. The award will be presented at Newcastle's Utilita Arena on 22 October, decided by an 11-person panel.