Mercury Prize Shortlist Includes Dizzee Rascal, The XX

The 2010 Mercury Prize shortlist was announced and a pair of contrasting acts lead the list: Dizzee Rascal and the xx. The "Barclaycard Mercury Prize" (hey, it's the 21st Century--gotta thank the sponsor, right?)'s annual music award nominations for the best album from the U.K. or Ireland also includes artists ranging from veteran Paul Weller to young lions Mumford and Sons and Laura Marling. The full list is below.

Dizzee Rascal: Tongue N' Cheek
The xx: xx
Paul Weller: Wake Up the Nation
Corinne Bailey Rae: The Sea
Mumford and Sons: Sigh No More
Laura Marling: I Speak Because I Can
Foals: Total Life Forever
Wild Beasts: Two Dancers
Biffy Clyro: Only Revolutions
Villagers: Becoming a Jackal
Kit Downes Trio: Golden
I Am Kloot: Sky at Night

The award will be announced on September 7 in London. In the meantime, hit up the Mercury Prize site for more information (as of publication time, the site has been unresponsive).

[Dizzee Rascal and The xx lead nominations">Guardian]