Matt Healy says The 1975’s 2016 Mercury Prize nomination is "surreal".
The band are finalists for their LP ‘I like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It’ and Matt admitted they are humbled and thrilled to be included in the same category as David Bowie, Radiohead and Skepta.
He told Gigwise: "It is surreal. I keep saying that it’s very humbling just to be invited alongside these kinds of artists – especially our contemporaries like Skepta too. It’s amazing, and it’s lovely to be involved in what’s happening right now. Whether it’s popular or something more leftfield – it’s a good day.
"We got rid of thinking about critics, and just wanted to make a ‘pure’ record. That’s what’s been recognised. It does take courage, or it takes pure ignorance – I think we’re a bit of both."
The full shortlist of 12 nominated albums was announced at a ceremony hosted by 6 Music’s Shaun Keaveny in London on Thursday (04.08.16) and features a diverse range of artists.
Radiohead’s ninth studio LP ‘A Moon Shaped Pool’ has been shortlisted along with David Bowie’s ‘Blackstar’, Kano’s Made in the Manor’, Skepta’s ‘Konnichiwa’, Jamie Woon’s ‘Making Time’ and Laura Mvula’s ‘The Dreaming Room’.
And completing the list is Bat For Lashes with ‘The Bride’, Michael Kiwanuka with ‘Love & Hate’, ‘Adore Life’ by Savages’, ‘Hopelessness by Anohni and ‘Chanel the Spirits’ by The Comet Is Coming.
The judging panel said "This is music to make sense of our unsettling times – heartfelt, angry, thoughtful and thrilling. The 2016 Hyundai Mercury Prize ‘Albums of the Year’ are marked by their musical ambitions, unexpected instrumentation and breathtaking arrangements."
The prize aims to celebrate the best British albums from the past year.
The six finalists and the overall winner will be announced as part of the 2016 Awards Show, which will take place on September 15 at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith.
The ceremony will feature live performances from the shortlisted artists and will culminate in the announcement of the overall winner of the 2016 Hyundai Mercury Prize for ‘Album of the Year’.
The online vote is now open, which will enable music fans to select the first of six 2016 finalists from the 12 ‘Albums of the Year’. To vote visit www.mercuryprize.com
Matt Healy: ‘Mercury Prize nomination is surreal’
