Sir Paul McCartney nominated for Mercury Prize for first time
Olivia Dean, JADE and Raye also among the nominations
Last updated 11 hours ago
Sir Paul McCartney, Olivia Dean and RAYE are among the artists shortlisted for the 2026 Mercury Prize.
The Beatles star is nominated for the first time for his album, 'The Boys of Dungeon Lane', which recounts memories from his formative years.
The 14-track record was named after a place close to his childhood home in Forthlin Road in the Liverpool suburb of Speke.
Released at the end of May, it was Sir Paul’s first album in five years and reached Number 1 on the UK album charts.
The nominated albums also include Olivia Dean's 'The Art Of Loving', which won Album of the Year at the BRIT Awards, and JADE's 'THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY!'.
Also 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 prize, created in 1992, is awarded each year to the best album by an artist from the UK or Ireland.
The list is completed by Kojey Radical’s 'Don’t Look Down', Nia Archives for 'Emotional Junglist', Suede with 'Antidepressants' and War Child Records with 'HELP(2)'.
Albums are nominated based on musical merit, irrespective of how successful the record or act have been in the year.
The event will feature live performances from many of the nominated artists before the winner is announced.
The Mercury Prize ceremony will be held on Thursday 22nd October 2026 at the Utilita Arena Newcastle.
The event was also held in Newcastle in 2025, its first year outside London.
Sam Fender won last year’s prize for his album 'People Watching'.
Other winners in recent years include English Teacher, Little Simz, Arlo Parks and Wolf Alice.
Along with a trophy, the winner of the Mercury Prize receives £25,000.
Take a look at albums out in 2026:
Robbie Williams - 'BRITPOP'
Release date: Out now
After delaying his album from October 2025 to February 2026, Robbie Williams decided to surprise-release the album 'BRITPOP' on 16th January. The album featured a song he co-wrote with former Take That bandmate Gary Barlow, called 'Morrissey', about The Smiths frontman, along with a song called 'All My Life'.
Toyah - 'Four From Toyah'
Release date: Out now
45 years to the day it was released, Toyah Willcox re-released the EP 'Four From Toyah'. The record featured Top 5 song 'It's a Mystery'. The EP is now available digitally in its original four-track form, along with the larger eight-track version originally released on vinyl in 2021.
Queen - 'The Platinum Collection' and 'Queen II'
Release date: Out now
For the first time ever, Queen's 'The Platinum Collection' boxset was released on black vinyl. The release brought together the legendary band's 'Greatest Hits I', 'II' and 'III' across six black vinyl records.
The band also re-released 'Queen II' in 2026. 'Queen II Collector's Edition' centres on a new 2026 mix of the original 1974 album, with Brian May and Roger Taylor acting as executive producers.
The Eagles - 'Their Greatest Hits 1971–1975'
Release date: Out now
The Eagles marked their 50th anniversary with a crystal-clear 180-gram vinyl edition of 'Their Greatest Hits 1971–1975'. Pulled from their first four albums, it showcases 'Lyin' Eyes' harmonies, 'Take It Easy' country-rock, and 'Desperado' storytelling. The release coincided with its new Quadruple Diamond certificate for 40m+ sales.
George Michael - 'Faith'
Release date: Out now
George Michael's debut solo album 'Faith' was released back in 1987, featuring his hits 'Faith', 'Father Figure', 'One More Try' and 'Monkey'. At the time the album went to Number 1 in the UK, and gave him three Top 10 hits in the UK across 1987 and 1988. The album was re-issued in February 2026 on several vinyl formats, along with CD and audio Blu-Ray.
EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert – 'Original Motion Picture Soundtrack’
Release date: Out now
Following EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert's cinematic release in February 2026, the accompanying soundtrack to the concert film became available on digital, CD and vinyl. The album features 27 songs in total.
Duran Duran - 'The Wedding Album' and 'Thank You'
Release date: Out now
'The Wild Boys' band Duran Duran re-released two of their iconic albums on vinyl and CD, decades after their original releases. Newly remastered editions of both 'The Wedding Album' and 'Thank You' are now available to buy.
T'Pau - 'Be Wonderful'
Release date: Out now
T'Pau's new album 'Be Wonderful' is the group's first collection of original material in over a decade, and it arrived on 10th April 2026. It was preceded by the lead single 'Read My Lips', which landed on 20th March and set the tone with its self‑empowerment message.
To celebrate, the band are hitting the road for their 'Be Wonderful' UK headline tour from April 2026 to May 2026, playing a run of dates that includes Leeds, Basingstoke, London and more.
Ringo Starr - 'Long Long Road'
Release date: Out now
Ringo Starr has released a new album, called 'Long Long Road'. It is the second album he's worked on with record producer T Bone Burnett, who previously worked on Ringo's country album 'Look Up', out in 2025.
The Style Council - 'Café Bleu' reissue
Release date: Out now
The Style Council have re-released their debut album 'Café Bleu' featuring early demos, alternate takes, and unreleased songs. The album features tracks such as the band's UK Top 5 songs 'My Ever Changing Moods' and 'You're the Best Thing'.
Sir Paul McCartney - 'The Boys of Dungeon Lane'
Release date: Out now
Sir Paul McCartney's new album is called 'The Boys of Dungeon Lane' and was released on Friday 29th May. The album is named after a road close to where the singer grew up, and is full of newly inspired love songs, along with a collection of songs that are a look back to memories from Paul's life.
Madonna - 'Confessions On A Dance Floor (Part 2)'
Release date: Out now
In 2025, Madonna announced she will release a new album called 'Confessions on a Dance Floor (Part 2)' and it was finally released on 3rd July. It is the sequel to her 2005 album 'Confessions on a Dance Floor'. When she announced it, she revealed it would be developed with Warner Records, which she left back in 2007. The singer went on to reveal re-signing with the label 'feels like home'.
The Specials - 'Live From The Cathedral'
Release date: Out now
The band that brought us the Number 1 track 'Ghost Town' back in 1981, The Specials, have released their final album 'Live From The Cathedral'. The album captures their performances at the ruins of Coventry Cathedral back in 2019.
David Bowie - 'The Definitive 1965 Collection'
Release date: 18th September
Before David Bowie was known by his stage name, he was called Davie Jones, and recorded songs with the legendary 60s producer Shel Talmy. Now the music from that era is set for release in September 2026 as 'The Definitive 1965 Collection'.
Phil Collins - 'Face Value' (45th Anniversary Edition)
Release date: 18th September
Originally released back in 1981 by Phil Collins, the album 'Face Value' transformed his career from the Genesis drummer and frontman, to a solo artist and global icon. The album features songs such as 'In The Air Tonight', 'I Missed Again' and 'If Leaving Me Is Easy'.
Soft Cell
Release date: 25th September
'Danceteria' is Soft Cell's final album, completed just two days after David Ball sadly passed away in October 2025. The album has been described as 'a love letter to New York in the early 80s.'
The Rolling Stones
Release date: TBC
In 2025, The Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood has confirmed a new album will be released saying: "Yes you will be getting a new album next year. It is done." This follows confirmation by producer Andrew Watt that he was working with the band to produce their new music.