Sir Paul McCartney is in contention to secure his debut Mercury Prize, but he is up against strong competition from artists such as Olivia Dean and Raye.

Among the nominated albums this year are Dean’s The Art Of Loving, which was honored with the Album of the Year title at the Brit Awards, and Sir Paul’s most recent creation, The Boys Of Dungeon Lane. The legendary Beatles musician’s album, his 24th number one release, delves into his early memories and is named after a significant location near his childhood residence in Forthlin Road, Speke, Liverpool. Released in late May, this 14-track album marked Sir Paul’s return after a five-year hiatus and promptly claimed the top spot on the UK album charts.

Joining them on the shortlist are Raye’s This Music May Contain Hope, Dave’s The Boy Who Played The Harp, Florence And The Machine’s Everybody Scream, Dove Ellis’s Blizzard, and Knats’ A Great Day In Newcastle. The roster is rounded out by Kojey Radical’s Don’t Look Down, former Little Mix member Jade with That’s Showbiz Baby!, Nia Archives with Emotional Junglist, Suede featuring Antidepressants, and War Child Records with HELP(2).

The selection criteria for the Mercury Prize focus on musical excellence, disregarding commercial success. The upcoming event will showcase live performances by many of the nominated artists before the ultimate winner is revealed. The Mercury Prize ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, October 22 at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, the same location it was hosted in 2025, marking its first departure from London. Last year, Sam Fender clinched the prestigious award for his album People Watching. Previous recipients include English Teacher, Little Simz, Arlo Parks, and Wolf Alice. In addition to the accolade, the Mercury Prize winner will receive a prize of £25,000.