Who will win?
More importantly, who should win?
Denise Chaila triumphed last year, but how does it look this time around?
The RTÉ Choice Music Prize shortlist for best Irish album of the year – from 2021, of course – has officially been revealed.
Unveiled by Choice Music Prize co-founder and chairman Jim Carroll on the Tracy Clifford Show on 2fm on Wednesday afternoon, the 10 Irish albums duking it out for the crown are:
Bicep | Isles
Elaine Mai | Home
For Those I Love | For Those I Love
HousePlants | Dry Goods
Kojaque | Town's Dead
Mick Flannery & Susan O’Neill | In The Game
Orla Gartland | Woman on the Internet
Saint Sister | Where I Should End
Soda Blonde | Small Talk
Villagers | Fever Dreams
A strong list, we're sure you will agree.
A couple of surprising snubs in there, too – James Vincent McMorrow, Fears, John Francis Flynn, The Altered Hours and Wyvern Lingo amongst others can probably all feel a touch disappointed.
For this writer's money, it's For Those I Love's to lose, despite that album initially surfacing in 2019 before disappearing only to return in an official capacity in 2021.
Of course, anyone could win. That's what the judging panel is for, after all.
While the RTÉ Choice Music Prize Song of the Year – yet to be announced – is decided by a public vote – and thus usually goes to whatever mainstream act bothers to nudge their fan base – the album prize is subject to an intense roundtable debate.
The ceremony will take place via a live 2fm broadcast from Vicar Street on Thursday, 3 March between 7pm and 11pm.
