Article

Record Shops share their top picks for this year’s Mercury Music Prize

September 6, 2023

To celebrate the upcoming annual Mercury Music Prize on Sept 7th, 2023, we asked indie record shops to share who they think should be crowned ‘Album of the Year’ for 2023 and why. 

The Mercury Music Prize takes place on the 7th September and will be crowning one UK artist “Album of the Year” 2023!


To celebrate, we polled over 100 independent record shops from all across the UK to see who they think should win.


Well, in a landslide victory, we can reveal that Young Fathers – Heavy Heavy came out victorious and topped the indie record shop poll with a huge majority. But will they be correct? Tune into BBC 4 at 9pm or BBC Radio 6 Music 7pm - 12am to find out! 

Kenny Record: Artic Monkeys - The Car


Shop manager, Kenny Record, of 101 Collectors Records, Farnham, Surrey here! 

 

Arctic Monkeys - The Car should win, as the album shows Artic Monkeys’ impressive, continued growth as a band. [It’s] a fresh approach and them not being afraid to try something different. That's exactly why they should win! 

Gary: Arctic Monkeys – The Car


The Car is an album that makes 2018's genre shifting opinion splitter Tranquillity Base Hotel and Casino sound like a breezy pop record. It's dense, lyrically cryptic and light on hooks but is incredible.  

 

An album that absorbs you into its world if you let it. And one that sounded incredible at their recent live shows. 

 

Gary: Young Fathers – Heavy Heavy


A fast paced, frenetic album that comes and goes before you know it. Not a single second is wasted on the album. Plus, Scottttland!!!! 

Leo: Lankum - False Lankum 


Arguably the most unique record of the bunch, and besides, who doesn’t want more Irish doom-folk in the world. 

Megan: Young Fathers – Heavy Heavy 


A cohesive sonic journey by such a special band who are completely incomparable to anything else I’ve ever heard. An uplifting and invigorating listen which can be enjoyed in pretty much any context and never lose its impact, which is rare and beautiful. 

Cam: Loyle Carner - Hugo 


An incredibly emotional album where Carner perfects his story telling, using so few words to create such a vivid picture of fatherhood, racism and understanding his upbringing. The album has a sense of vulnerability and family affection that’s not so common rap music. These topics feel more intense with the lift from Kwes' layered and warm production. 

Tom: Loyle Carner - Hugo 


Fantastic production topped with vulnerable and introspective lyricism. Nice merch too. 

Matthew: Raye – My 21st Century Blues 


My 21st Century Blues takes you on a journey into Raye’s mind – that’s autobiographical to its core & tackles difficult issues of anxiety, sexual assault & body dysmorphia but manages to make it empowering & regaining back control. Heart-wrenchingly captivating with incredible production and stunning vocals. 

Rosie: Shygirl – Nymph 


A playful album that's euphoric, unique, and is filled with absolute anthems! 

Lucas: Ezra Collective – Where I’m Meant To Be 


Over the past few years, Ezra Collective have cemented themselves among the very best acts the UK jazz scene has to offer, and their latest album, released in November 2022, is a triumphant celebration of everything that has come to define their multifaceted sound. Rooted in Afrocentric influences, Where I’m Meant To Be raws from a captivating blend of hip-hop, funk, reggae and samba stylings, and invites poignant collaborations - adding to an already relentlessly energetic production.   

Skye: Olivia Dean - Messy


Olivia Dean has done a perfect job of creating an album that takes you through all possible emotions in her Mercury Prize nominated Messy. 


From joyous tunes of the summer to beautifully introspective songs from the heart. Dean ticks all the boxes with her unmatched energy and voice throughout.

James: Jessie Ware - That Feels Good


Since the release of What's Your Pleasure, Jessie has gone from strength to strength. Three years later she released the single 'Free Yourself' to critical acclaim, followed by her fifth album That! Feels Good!

Probably her best album yet and that's why it should win the Mercury Prize 2023. And of course, who doesn't love a bit of disco! 

Marc: Jessie Ware - That Feels Good


Jessie Ware's That Feels Good is our pick for the Mercury Prize this year. A perfectly constructed Album of 10 tracks that would each fit comfortably on any disco/funk/pop classics playlist. Add to the mix the recent collab with Roisin Murphy & you might just have our artist of the year. 

Jackie: Arctic Monkeys - The Car


IT'S A GROWER! 


My first listen to Arctic Monkeys - The Car really was not the greatest, I went away thinking that it was not my cup of tea and felt disappointed by their new sound. But after giving it a chance I listened, and I mean really listened again to the lyrics. It's like a story (it would make a great soundtrack). I'm now loving the chilled feeling of this album. A big statement but to me it sounds very "BOWIE". Give this album a chance it will grow on you.  


"IT'S A WINNER IN MY BOOK" - Jackie Fenner, Phoenix Sound, Devon 

This year, we each chose a different release! 


Young Fathers - Heavy Heavy 

Lankum - False Lankum 

Loyle Carner - Hugo

Jockstrap - I Love You Jennifer B

Shygirl - Nymph


These were all our joint choices. The diversity of Resident's tastes goes right across the Mercury Prize shortlist this year! 

Ruth: Young Fathers - Heavy Heavy


I haven't loved an album as much as this for ages! It's full of joy, chaos & energy.  


At times it feels like pure, unfiltered freedom - Heavy Heavy is definitely my album of the year so far! 

Mark: Young Fathers - Heavy Heavy


There is no other album that could be at home in so many different sections of any record shop. 


This just goes to show how important, unique and vital Young Fathers are! 

Charlie and Gary: Jockstrap - I Love You Jennifer B


Gary confidently said on the 9th September 2022 that this album would win the Mercury Music Prize. He is looking forward to being proven right. 

share this article

other news

Related Articles

ROBERT PLANT HONOURED AS RECORD STORE LEGEND AHEAD OF RECORD STORE DAY 2026

April 8, 2026
Record Store Day is proud to announce Robert Plant as the latest recipient of its Record Store Legend award. This accolade recognises Robert Plant’s lasting impact on music around the world, and his ongoing dedication to supporting new artists and record shops, as well as the record store community’s deep admiration for his work. Speaking at Spillers Records, Robert Plant said: “Record stores have always been a part of my life. For me, once you get to the physical record it’s because you really want to know and be a part of what the artist was considering. And I know, as a guy who’s been making records since 1966, people want to take home something very special, to enjoy all the elements of what an artist has put together. We want a connection between the music and the art of the whole thing.” Plant has long been a familiar face in record shops across the UK and beyond, from regular visits to The Groove Records in Stourbridge and 1960s “Chart” shops to check if his first record, ‘You’d Better Run’, was on sale, to a 2020 Q&A with Matt Everitt at Rough Trade East, and now at Spillers Records in Cardiff. His connection to record stores stretches back decades, to his childhood in England and into his years on the road as a musician. Plant was famously photographed crate-digging at Bleecker Bob’s in New York with Jimmy Page in 1970. With countless other visits over the years, record shops remain central to Plant’s musical life, cementing his status as a true Record Store Legend. A special plaque has been unveiled at the world’s oldest record shop, Spillers Records in Cardiff, Wales, recognising Plant’s Legend status, his connection to the shop, its history, and a country that has inspired his songwriting. The installation also highlights his ongoing support for record stores as cultural hubs which champion music and community, inviting fans to visit and share in their own love of music.

ALBUM OF THE MONTH: HOLLY HUMBERSTONE - CRUEL WORLD

April 1, 2026
Holly Humberstone returns with Cruel World, out April 10th on indie exclusive pearl white vinyl, and selected as Record Store Day’s Album of the Month. It follows on from her 2023 debut with the same honest, close-up songwriting, but this time things feel a little more settled, and a little more sure of themselves. As Holly puts it, “My eleven-year-old self would be buzzing. I think she’d say, ‘You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.’” The album sits in that mid-20s in-between, moving on from people, places and past versions of yourself without everything fully making sense yet. Holly describes it as “shedding old skin,” and that sense of moving on runs through the record. It leans into that in-between stage without overthinking it. As she puts it, “In a world that feels hyperreal and harsh, we wanted to create something fun, detached, nostalgic and magical.” After the past couple of years out on the road, supporting Taylor Swift at Wembley and joining Sam Fender at St. James’ Park, Cruel World feels like the point where it all clicks into place. Written with her band in mind and built for live shows, it’s the sound of an artist settling in, and starting to get her flowers. Holly will also be part of Record Store Day with a limited-edition 7” of Beauty Pageant , featuring the exclusive B-side Annihilation . With the indie exclusive pearl white vinyl landing April 10th and the 7” following a week later on April 18th, it’s a good time to head down to your local indie record sho p - not that you needed a reason to.

JUBEL X RECORD STORE DAY: THE WARM UP

March 31, 2026
FOUR DAYS OF BEERS AND BEATS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
ALL ARTICLES