The shortlist of finalists for the 15th annual Australian Music Prize (AMP) is now complete, featuring only the finest nine Australian releases of 2019.
A cohort of Australia's most respected music industry experts have taken on the daunting task of narrowing down the list of 107 nominated albums to the final selection.The AMP finalists for 2020 are: Ainslie Wills’ introspective, folk-pop debut album ‘All You Have Is All You Need’; Amyl And The Sniffers reverence for 1970s punk in their self-titled album; Julia Jacklin’s honest journey through heartbreak and reconnection with self in ‘Crushing’; and Methyl Ethel’s closure-seeking third album ‘Triage’.
Also making the cut were Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds' latest epic ‘Ghosteen’; the eclectic dance album ‘Rebel Force’ from Sleep D; Thelma Plum’s story of culture, heritage, love and pain in debut album ‘Better In Blak’; the uncompromising, unapologetic sounds from Dispossessed’s ‘Warpath Never Ended’; and previous winner Sampa The Great with her acclaimed record ‘The Return’.
“It’s always great when an album as a body of work is recognised, 'The Return' was one hell of a journey. Being nominated again feels very special,” Sampa says.
In its 15th year, the Australian Music Prize is also increasing its consultation and inclusion across the industry to showcase the album format, shine a light on amazing records that may not have had the support they deserved and to celebrate great Australian albums.
Inspired by the UK's prestigious Mercury Prize, the Australian Music Prize is a coveted national accolade that has previously been awarded to Gurrumul, Sampa The Great, Courtney Barnett, Hermitude, The Jezabels, Eddy Current Suppression Ring and The Drones among others.
scenestr congratulates all the finalists for the 15th annual Australian Music Prize.
Australian Music Prize Finalists 2020
Ainslie Wills - 'All You Have Is All You Need'Amyl And The Sniffers - 'Amyl And The Sniffers'
Dispossessed - 'Warpath Never Ended'
Julia Jacklin - 'Crushing'
Methyl Ethel - 'Triage'
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - 'Ghosteen'
Sampa The Great - 'The Return'
Sleep D - 'Rebel Force'
Thelma Plum - 'Better In Blak'
