MUSIC NEWS: The xx win the 2010 Barclaycard Mercury Prize

The xx were announced last night, Tuesday, 7 September as the winners of the 2010 Barclaycard Mercury Prize for Album of the Year.

Simon Frith, Chair of Judges commented, "“The xx have a unique sense of time and space – urban and enigmatic. The result is a wonderfully atmospheric album –sparse, urgent, hypnotic and powerful”."

The Prize recognises and celebrates music in the UK and has a reputation for highlighting a wide range of bands and artists. Albums released between July 2009 and July 2010 were eligible for this year’s Prize.

The shortlist of 12 ‘Albums of the Year’ is chosen by an independent judging panel, which includes musicians, producers, presenters and music journalists. The panel’s decision is based solely on the music on the albums and all genres of music are treated equally.

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MUSIC NEWS: Barclaycard Mercury Prize Albums of the Year revealed

The 12 Albums of the Year shortlisted for the 2010 Barclaycard Mercury Prize, were announced today.

The shortlisted 2010 Albums of the Year are:

Biffy Clyro - Only Revolutions

Corinne Bailey - Rae The Sea

Dizzee Rascal - Tongue N' Cheek

Foals Total - Life Forever

I Am Kloot - Sky At Night

Kit Downes - Trio Golden

Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can

Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More

Paul Weller - Wake Up the Nation

The xx xx

Villagers - Becoming a Jackal

Wild Beasts - Two Dancers

The Barclaycard Mercury Prize celebrates the year in music. The shortlist, chosen from an entry of over 200 albums by UK and Irish artists, was announced by Lauren Laverne. The event was hosted by The Hospital Club in Covent Garden, the club for the creative industries.

The overall winner of the 2010 Prize will be decided and announced at the Barclaycard Mercury Prize Awards Show, which will be broadcast live on BBC Two on Tuesday 7 September 2010. Lauren Laverne will present the programme, with the Awards Show event itself hosted by Jools Holland.