Can anyone beat bookies’ favourite CMAT?published at 21:51 BST
21:51 BST
Ian Youngs
Culture reporter
Image source, PA Media
We’ve heard from the 12 shortlisted artists, and now it’s in the hands of the judges. But just who will they pick?
CMAT is the deserved frontrunner, the clear favourite with
the bookies for her brilliant album Euro-Country, and a win would be the
crowning moment for her as a big star.
But the Mercury judges often give the favourites a swerve… so if not her, who else?
PinkPantheress is an outsider (according to the bookies), but
should be in the mix for the heady, infectious Fancy That. The judges like to anoint a distinctive major new(ish) talent and, like
CMAT, PinkPantheress would fit the bill.
FKA Twigs deserves credit for Eusexua – an intoxicating
and boundary-pushing record that at times feels like an update to the sensual 90s-era
pop of Kylie or Madonna.
Fontaines DC are the bookies’ second favourites,
and Romance is a step up and in many ways a great album… it came out 14 months ago
so the wind may have left its sails. Sam Fender would be a logical and popular
hometown hero (at the ceremony in Newcastle), and People Watching is excellent but perhaps a bit less urgent
and vital than previous albums.
Jacob Alon’s In Limerance is a beautiful and tender album – will his tremulous singer-songwriter style be original enough for the judges? Emma
Jean-Thackray is a distinctive and compelling voice but perhaps an acquired
taste.
Pulp made a triumphant comeback, but may feel too much like retreading
old ground, while fellow past winners Wolf Alice have had a more muted
reception this time around.
Folk veteran Martin Carthy would be a poignant and popular winner but I don’t
think the album quite has enough appeal to win. Similarly, Pa Salieu and Joe
Webb are worthy nominees but would be shock winners.
But the panel like to defy predictions, so your guess is as
good as mine, or the bookies.