La Roux – La Roux

Little Boots, Lady Gaga, La Roux…are they churning out all these fair-haired it-girls in some giant pop factory? Either way, Elly Jackson has triumphed in our eyes, her self-titled debut (including ace single ‘In For The Kill’) emerging as the best of the bunch. Androgynous poppette she may be, but we like. Not in a gay way.   

Bats For Lashes - Two Suns

She wears floaty dresses and coos like a starved pigeon, and the critics laud Natasha Khan like she’s pop’s answer to Princess Diana. Personally, we reckon her last album doesn’t hold a candle to her debut. And quite frankly, this whole ethereal music is getting a bit wearing. Our tip: she’ll probably win.  

Glasvegas – Glasvegas

It seems like ages ago that the Glasgow four-piece released their explosive debut but it sneaks into the list, And rightly so. Soaring guitars, haunting Scottish vocals and an unexpected ‘You are my sunshine’ sample made this one of the most unique, exciting rock records in years. We jolly well hope they win. 

The Invisible – The Invisible

A band we’re not too hot on. And by not too hot on, we mean, never heard of them. They’re a London three-piece who specialize in post-rock and have been called the ‘British TV on the Radio’. A weighty accolade indeed. But not one that’s going to scoop them this prize. We doubt.   

Sweet Billy Pilgrim – Twice Born Men           

An English three-piece that specialize in twee, folky electronic tinklings, who play instruments for The Boy Least Likely Too, and James Dean Bradfield. A leftfield choice, admittedly, but give them a chance and you’ll find them most pleasuresome indeed. 

Speech Debelle – Speech Therapy

Oh here we are! This year’s rapper. The Mercury ticklist is complete. This female rhymesmith is a complete unknown but we just listened to a few of her tracks on last.fm and she ain’t too shabby. A bit like a female, more chart-friendly Roots Manuva or a non-autistic Kate Nash. Nice one girl.  

The Horrors – Primary Colours  

We thought the Boosh-loving, skinny-jeaned ones were a right bunch of jokers first time round, their debut a weird, horrible shouty mess. This second one though is different – part garage rock, part gothic chill – and it’s really rather ace, OK, it probably shouldn’t have made the shortlist, but nice reskim all the same. 

Lisa Hannigan – Sea Sew

Kooky, sweet-sounding females are falling from the skies at the moment (Emmy The Great, Dukes, Cathy Davey) so why Lisa has been hand-plucked is beyond us. Sure, she sounds nice and we do quite want to kiss her. But it’s hardly groundbreaking stuff. Nah, not for us.  

Led Bib - Sensible Shoes

We won’t pretend we know this oddly-titled quintet. What we do know is that they’re a jazz and funk band who’ve listened to Bitches Brew more than a few times, and like creating a bit of a racket. This fourth album is apparently their best yet, but surely the judges won’t be that pretentious to give them the prize?

Kasabian – West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum

Three albums in and the Leicester dance-rockers get their first nod. Big on beats and assured rock swagger, we’ve been playing it non-stop since it came in. Probably a bit too mainstream to bag the prize, plus we reckon there’s a fair bit of filler on it too. Terrific effort though lads. 

Florence & The Machine – Lungs

Far better live than on record, the flame-haired one is another victim of the NME hype machine that elevates people to superstar status on the strength of humming into a milk bottle on myspace. Still, we’re fans of the feisty one and single ‘Rabbit Heart’ was fantastic. Deserves to be here. 

Friendly Fires – Friendly Fires

We saw these at Lovebox the other day and were mightily disappointed. Then again, the pear cider had made our ears stop working. The album though has grown on us like a giant disco tumour and we’re rather partial to their weird, techno/rock blend. They come from St Albans, don’t you know.