Monkeys, Hawley compete for Mercury

The Arctic Monkeys, Richard Hawley and Muse are amongst those battling it out for this year's Nationwide Mercury Prize.

Competitors are a mix of old and new, with Sway, Arctic Monkeys and Thom Yorke all offering debut albums. Meanwhile, well-established acts such as former Pulp member Hawley, Muse and Scritti Politti are also in the running.

Encompassing albums of a variety of genres, the shortlist was chosen on the merit of the albums rather than sales or popularity.

The nominees in full:

Guillemots - Through the Windowpane

Hot Chip - The Warning

Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan - Ballad of the Broken Seas

Lou Rhodes - Beloved One

Sway - This Is My Demo

Zoe Rahman - Melting Pot

Richard Hawley - Coles Corner

Editors - The Back Room

Thom Yorke - The Eraser

Muse - Black Holes & Revelations

Scritti Politti - White Bread Black Beer

Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

So far, the bookies' favourites are Arctic Monkeys and Thom Yorke, each with odds of 5/1 at William Hill.

The winner will be announced on September 5, 2006.