Mercury Prize 2026: McCartney Finally Gets His Shot, Allen Left in the Cold

The 2026 Mercury Prize shortlist dropped today with one headline-grabbing twist: Sir Paul McCartney, at 84, receives his first-ever nomination for his album The Boys of Dungeon Lane. Despite the prize existing since 1992, the former Beatle has somehow dodged the honour through eleven album cycles — until now. The album explores his Liverpool childhood and early friendships with his Beatles bandmates,...