English Teacher have been announced the winners of this year's Mercury Prize, with their debut album This Could Be Texas.
The Leeds indie foursome - Douglas Frost, Lily Fontaine, Nicholas Eden and Lewis Whiting - were emotional on stage after winning the prestigious award, which also comes with £25,000.
This year's Mercury Prize ceremony took place for the first time at the world famous Abbey Road Studios, a move from the Hammersmith Apollo.
Judges said all 12 shortlisted albums were "so reflective of our diverse and rich musical landscape," making the decision a tough one - but in the end, they all felt This Could Be Texas stood out "for its originality and character".
They described it as "a winning lyrical mix of surrealism and social observation" with "a subtle way of wearing its musical innovations lightly", and "a fresh approach to the traditional guitar band format".
The album "reveals new depths on every listen - the mark of a future classic", they added.
English Teacher follow in the footsteps of Ezra Collective in 2023, as well as other recent honourees including Little Simz, Arlo Parks, Michael Kiwanuka, Dave and Wolf Alice.
First won by Primal Scream's Screamadelica in 1992, the award celebrates music by British and Irish acts, from veteran stars to newcomers - recognising the 12 best albums of the year and potentially putting artists who are not huge names on the map.
Mercury Prize 2024 - the 12 shortlisted albums
- Barry Can't Swim - When Will We Land?
- BERWYN - Who Am I
- Beth Gibbons - Lives Outgrown
- Cat Burns - Early Twenties
- Charli XCX - Brat
- CMAT - Crazymad, for Me
- Corinne Bailey Rae - Black Rainbows
- corto.alto - Bad With Names
- English Teacher - This Could Be Texas
- Ghetts - On Purpose, with Purpose
- Nia Archives - Silence Is Loud
- The Last Dinner Party - Prelude to Ecstasy
Pulp's Different Class, Dizzee Rascal's Boy In Da Corner, and Arctic Monkeys' Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not are some of the biggest albums to have been recognised over the years.
Radiohead and Arctic Monkeys are the most shortlisted acts, with both featuring on five different occasions - although only Arctic Monkeys have a win. Both the band's frontmen have also been nominated on separate occasions; Alex Turner with The Last Shadow Puppets, and Thom Yorke for his solo debut.
PJ Harvey is the only artist to date with two wins, from four nominations.
The 2024 ceremony was hosted by broadcaster and author Annie Mac and BBC Radio 6 Music presenter Huw Stephens, while judges included broadcaster and writer Danielle Perry, musician and BBC Radio 2 broadcaster Jamie Cullum, DJ and BBC Radio 6 Music broadcaster Jamz Supernova, DJ and broadcaster MistaJam, and The Times' rock and pop critic Will Hodgkinson.
Albums with a UK release date between 15 July 2023 and 12 July 2024 were eligible this year.
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