Artists including Little Simz and slowthai tackle climate crisis, austerity and racism
Industry experts have hailed the return of political
music in the run-up to this year’s Mercury prize, with
British and
Irish artists on the shortlist addressing the hostile environment policy, austerity and racism.
The awards, which takes place on Thursday, is seen as a barometer of the country’s musical pulse. This year’s nominees have been described as the most political ever, with acts such as Dave, slowthai, the 1975, Fontaines DC, SEED Ensemble, Little Simz andIdlescommenting on the political landscape through their art. From the explicit punk of Idles to the more personal politics of Dave and the 1975, representations of the everyday realities for those who live with decisions made in Westminster are scattered throughout.