We talk about this year’s Mercury Prize winner, Morrissey’s controversial comments on the Chinese, and review new albums from Band of Horses and Magic Kids. Remember to email us at soundoff@wknc.org and follow us on twitter @wkncSoundOff

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The XX Accepting their Mercury Prize

Every year the Mercury Prize is awarded to an act who is considered to have put out the best British album within the past year. This year, after much anticipation among British music aficionados, The XX have been declared the winner for their album XX. Facing a tremendous amount of competition from acts including Mumford and Sons, Laura Marling, and Paul Weller, The XX came out on top at the end of the wait.

After it was announced that The XX won the prize on September 7, band member Oliver Sim went on to say “Thank you so much, we’ve had the most incredible year.” He later added, “Everyday we’ve woken up to something incredible.”

The XX now join a group of artists that include Klaxons, Franz Ferdinand, and Arctic Monkeys.

Since 1992 the Mercury Prize has been celebrating some of the best albums from the UK and Ireland. Each year a handful of albums released between June 30 of last year and July 1 of this year are selected by an exclusive panel of music experts. In previous years the Mercury Prize has gone to acts including Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Monkeys and Klaxons. This year the shortlist has been announced, with the winner receiving the Mercury Prize on September 7.

This year’s nominees Are:

Biffy Clyro- Only Revolutions

Corinne Bailey Rae- The Sea

Dizzee Rascal- Tongue N’ Cheek

Mumford & Sons- Sigh No More

Kit Downes Trio- Golden

Foals- Total Life Forever

I Am Kloot- Sky At Night

Laura Marling- I Speak Because I Can

Paul Weller- Wake Up The Nation

Villagers- Becoming A Jackal

Wild Beasts- Two Dancers

The XX- XX

Personally I think The XX have this one in the bag. However, the favorite to win last year, Florence and the Machine, was greatly upset after she was defeated by a rather obscure British rapper who had only sold a handful of albums in comparison. I doubt they would give it to Dizzee Rascal twice, and it should be interesting to see how the folk powers (and two of my favorites from this year) Laura Marling and Mumford & Sons will fair. Also, it came to me as a great surprise to see the newcomer Villagers and the jazz ensemble Kit Downes Trio nominated. This should be another interesting year for the Mercury Prize. It’s just a shame we’ll have to wait until September to find out who wins.

Who do you think should win? Leave your opinion about who you think will take home the prize in the comment section below.