Dean is also a former nominee, for her 2023 debut album Messy, and returns thanks to the sumptuously singable soul songs on The Art of Loving.
Two former winners – Suede and Dave – receive nominations, while Florence + The Machine picks up a fourth citation for her thunderous new album, Everybody Scream.
The presence of so many stalwarts largely squeezes out fresh talent, but the mysterious Irish newcomer Dove Ellis stands out as a potential winner, for the otherworldly beauty of his debut album, Blizzard.
The shortlisted albums are selected by a panel of 12 jurists, including 6 Music broadcaster Afrodeutsche, musician Jamie Cullum, and The Times’ music critic Will Hodgkinson.
They’ll select an overall winner during the prize ceremony at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on 22 October.
Last year’s prize went to hometown hero Sam Fender. Other previous winners include Pulp’s Different Class (1996), Dizzee Rascal’s Boy In Da Corner (2003), Elbow’s The Seldom Seen Kid (2008), Wolf Alice’s Visions of a Life (2018) and Ezra Collective’s Where I’m Meant To Be (2023).
Here’s all you need to know about the 12 albums selected for the 2026 prize.
