PJ Harvey's Let England Shake is one of the year's most beloved albums, and it even earned the celebrated songwriter a spot on the Exclaim! cover. It's not too much of a surprise, then, that Harvey won the coveted Barclaycard Mercury Prize.
Other shortlist contenders for this year's award included Adele, James Blake and past winners Elbow. Earlier today (September 6), the Guardian reported that Harvey was the favourite to come out on top, with gambling odds of 5/4.
This is Harvey's second Mercury win. She clinched the 2001 instalment of the prize with Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea.
For those not in the know, the Mercury Prize is an annual award that honours the year's best album in the UK and Ireland. Much like Canada's Polaris Music Prize, it disregards sales and label affiliation, instead aiming to put the music first.
The award has been running since 1992, and past winners include Primal Scream, Pulp and Arctic Monkeys. The XX won last year's award.
Other shortlist contenders for this year's award included Adele, James Blake and past winners Elbow. Earlier today (September 6), the Guardian reported that Harvey was the favourite to come out on top, with gambling odds of 5/4.
This is Harvey's second Mercury win. She clinched the 2001 instalment of the prize with Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea.
For those not in the know, the Mercury Prize is an annual award that honours the year's best album in the UK and Ireland. Much like Canada's Polaris Music Prize, it disregards sales and label affiliation, instead aiming to put the music first.
The award has been running since 1992, and past winners include Primal Scream, Pulp and Arctic Monkeys. The XX won last year's award.