Ten years after her Barclaycard Mercury Prize win for “Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea,” pioneering U.K. songstress PJ Harvey has received the recognition for a second time. Eighth album “Let England Shake” won Harvey the prize, which represents the best British album of the year, at tonight’s (Sept. 6) ceremony at London’s Grosvenor Hotel.
Adele, PJ Harvey Nominated for U.K.’s Mercury Prize
“Let England Shake,” released in February, was the fourth-ever nod for Polly Jean, who is the Mercury Prize’s most nominated artist. This year, Harvey beat out the likes of powerhouse Adele, as well as up-and-comers Tinie Tempah, James Blake and Katy B and legacy rockers Elbow.
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“Thank you for the recognition of my work,” Harvey said at the ceremony, adding that the last time she won (on 9/11/2001), she was “watching the Pentagon burn from her hotel room in Washington.” “This album took me a very long time to write. It was very important for me. not just for myself but for other people. I wanted to make something that would last.”
Video: PJ Harvey, “Written On the Forehead”
A panel of U.K. music industry representatives vote for the Mercury Prize winner, often known for making left-field selections.