The Australian Music Prize Announces Its 2021 Shortlist Of Albums

The 17th (2021 album) Soundmerch Australian Music Prize has today revealed its list of nine finalists up for the annual $30,000 cash award.

After reviewing 464 Australian artist album releases of 2021, a judging panel of industry experts have chosen nine to comprise a shortlist.

The full shortlist of nominated records is: 

Amyl & The Sniffers - Comfort To Me
Baker Boy - Gela
Emma Donovan & The Putbacks - Under These Streets
Genesis Owusu - Smiling With No Teeth
Hiatus Kaiyote - Mood Valiant
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Butterfly 3000
Martha Marlow - Medicine Man
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - Carnage
Odette - Herald

In December it was confirmed that funding has been raised via EMI, Virgin and Island to guarantee that the final artists are not out-of-pocket by attending the winner announcement event in Melbourne on March 3.

"This is a VERY strong list," AMP Founder/Director Scott Murphy said.

"It’s incredibly diverse and truly captures another year of the WORLD’S best music. I sincerely thank the Soundmerch AMP team of judges – their donation of time and passion is much greater than what most people would think.”

Fan favourites Amyl & The Sniffers, who picked up The Music's 2021 Album of the Year, also expressed their excitement to be shortlisted: "Thank you very much for including us as nominees this year. Some of the best artists in the country have won the Australian Music Prize so we are honoured to be shortlisted.”

The Avalanches took out the 2020 Australian Music Prize with We Will Always Love You, joining previous winners Sampa The Great, AB Original, Gurrumul, Courtney Barnett, The Jezabels and more.