The Australian Music Prize has revealed its shortlist, selecting nine albums released in 2021 that are now in contention for a $30,000 cash prize courtesy of Soundmerch.

Now in its 17th year, the Australian Music Prize received a whopping 464 albums submitted across the nomination period, with a panel of industry judges listening through each one and eventually landing on this final shortlist. There are some return nominees including Emma Donovan & The Putbacks, Hiatus Kaiyote and Nick Cave, while the AMP this year welcomes first-timers in Baker Boy, Genesis Owusu and Odette to the shortlist family.

Says Donovan, whose album Under These Streets has been nominated, “Under These Streets reflected our return to the studio and realigning as a band coming out of some very dark and tormenting times. We literally ran out the door from lockdown and jumped deep into the studio to create this album and we are so honoured that it has been nominated for the Australian Music Prize. This album shows our strength as a musical unit and our relationship and trust with one another. We are thrilled that music lovers are tuning in and digging our sounds and songs.”

Listen to ‘Out the Door’ by Emma Donovan & The Putbacks below:

Genesis Owusu has added, “It’s a real pleasure to be considered for the AustralianMusic Prize this year. It’s so important to have initiatives like this, that really strive to validate and strengthen creativity over everything else.”

The winner of the 17th Soundmerch Australian Music Prize will be revealed at a ceremony in Melbourne on March 3rd. Check out the full shortlist below!

The 17th Soundmerch Australian Music Prize Shortlist

Amyl and The Sniffers – Comfort To Me

Baker Boy – Gela

Nick Cave & Warren Ellis – Carnage

Emma Donovan & The Putbacks – Under These Streets

Hiatus Kaiyote – Mood Valiant

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – Butterfly 3000

Martha Marlow – Medicine Man

Odette – Herald

Genesis Owusu – Smiling With No Teeth