via Associated PressThe Mercury Prize, a prestigious award given to outstanding British and Irish albums, has just released its 2026 shortlist. Artists include former winners Dave (who won in 2019) and Suede (1993), alongside first-time nominees like Sir Paul McCartney. To be in the running, musicians’ albums have to come from British or Irish artists and be released between August 30 2025 and July 17 2026 (inclusive). Other UK and Irish artists who’d released music in the set timeline but do not appear in the shortlist include Harry Styles, Kneecap, Gorillaz, Joy Crookes, Lola Young, and Ed Sheeran. Here’s who’s up for the Mercury Prize in 2026: