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The 2023 Mercury Awards shortlist lands tomorrow, celebrating the best of british music and the albums that defined the last year. Always delivering on an eclectic mix of chart-toppers, critic favourites and total left-field picks; it’s hard to predict what titles will be honoured.

Obviously, in the mix there will no doubt be some niche jazz, folk and instrumental picks that we’re not well-versed in to predict. But when it comes to pop, rock and the surrounding genres, here are some of our predictions for the 2023 Mercury list…

Rina Sawayama - Hold The Girl

Rina managed to get the rules changed at the Mercury Awards, so surely she can get a nomination! Sparking a conversation about eligibility as she was ruled out of British categories due to being born in Japan, she’s now eligible and definitely one to watch out for as her 2022 album Hold The Girl is her first album since the rule change and certainly worthy of a slot. - Lucy Harbron

Sleaford Mods - UK Grim

Back in 2019, Sleaford Mods went off on the awards show as artists have to pay to be considered - so they might not have even entered to be in the running. But if the rules have changed or this year they decided to have a stab, UK Grim feels deserving of the list. A no-holds-back take on the current socio-political climate and their most cohesive album to date, it’s a Mercury worthy album if I ever heard one with the awards never shying away from a bit of politics. - Lucy Harbron

Jockstrap - I Love You Jennifer B

Fusing electronica, indie, pop, klezmer and so much, this album truly sounds like nothing else out there. If Jockstrap’s innovative and catchy alt-pop can’t get a spot on the Mercury shortlist, then who can?! - Martha Storey

The 1975 - Being Funny In A Foreign Language

Nominated twice but never winning, if any 1975 album deserves to sweep the prize it’s 2022’s Being Funny In A Foreign Language. Their tightest release to date with a multitude of new anthem for the band, this feels like their moment. - Lucy Harbron

Arctic Monkeys - The Car

While a deeply underwhelming release, Arctic Monkeys feel sure to be on the list. - Lucy Harbron

Young Fathers - Heavy Heavy

Heavy, Heavy is passionate, intense, and packed with emotion. Instead of getting bogged down though, it is a jubilant celebration of what life has to offer. And the band are definitely worthy of the Mercury radar - Martha Storey

PJ Harvey - I Inside The Old Year Dying

PJ Harvey is a Mercury darling and the only person to win the award twice. This new LP is being well-received critically so seems likely she'll be on the list again - Molly Marsh

Jessie Ware - That! Feels Good! 

Jessie has been nominated before and this album builds on all her previous work so likely won’t be overlooked. - Molly Marsh

Little Simz - NO THANK YOU

She couldn't, could she?!

In the Mercury Prize's 30+ year history, only PJ Harvey has won the prestigious prize more than once. And certainly no artist has ever won back-to-back in consecutive years for consecutive albums. But if anyone has a shout of making such history then you'd think British rap icon Little Simz could be the one to do it, with NO THANK YOU every bit as razor-sharp and masterfully crafted as it's Mercury-winning predecessor. - Karl Blakesley

Rozi Plain - Prize

No pun intended, but Rozi Plain's Prize absolutely deserves to be in with a shout for the Mercury Prize. One of the best albums from these shores of Britain in the past 12 months, Rozi's Plain's 'Prize' is a wonderful shimmering journey of unconventional hypnotic cosmic-pop.  It's like a sonic lucid dream and deserves all the plaudits. - Brad Sked

Squid - O Monolith!

By the end of O Monolith!, you may easily have run out of superlatives to summarise the eight track experience you’ve just heard. And experience is definitely the word to use here – there’s so much going on in each track, the listener’s mind is constantly tossing and turning to the sounds of a wonderful nightmare. Squid’s second album isn’t for the faint hearted: challenging and rewarding listen for those brave enough to handle it which is always a good think in the Mercury's eyes. - Matthew McLister

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