The time of year has come for all to witness, revel and debate upon what the Mercury Music Prize judges are offering this year. The huge list has been shortened to its final twelve, before the winner is announced at the London ceremony on September 7th. The prize - which has been going for almost twenty years - has always been the center of debate, always staying true to acts who are anything but mainstream. This year is no different. Although fully-deserved nominees such as I Am Kloot, Villagers and Kit Downes Trio are this year's Who the Heck Are They nominees, obvious choices such as The xx, Biffy Clyro and Foals are also on the list. Read on for more details.

The prize is held to showcase the best albums which British artists have created in the last year. However, even with the prestige and £20,000 cash prize the award brings, some acts have a tendency to disappear after winning. Some people even going as far to say that the prize is a curse. Last year, Speech Debelle and her take on jazz-influenced hip-hop was enough to win her an unexpected victory over favorites like Florence And The Machine. However, ever since then, the artist has been very quiet and has recieved scathing live reviews. Obvious albums to jump from the list this year include the magnificent self-titled debut from The xx, which is sure to be the bookies' favorite and perhaps most deserved body of work to take the prize. But don't be surprised if one of the lesser-known acts change the judges minds at the last minute. The full list is down below.

IYS will be keeping you informed on all the developments with the prize as they unfold, and of course, we will provide hasty news as to who wins the prize in September. Down below we have a special Mercury Music Prize MP3 giveaway, which includes a song from most of the acts nominated. Enjoy.

Barclays Mercury Music Prize Nominations 2010

Biffy Clyro – ‘Only Revolutions’
Corinne Bailey Rae – ‘The Sea’
Dizzee Rascal – ‘Tongue N’ Cheek’
Kit Downes Trio – ‘Golden’
Foals – ‘Total Life Forever’
I Am Kloot – ‘Sky At Night’
Laura Marling – ‘I Speak Because I Can’
Mumford And Sons – ‘Sigh No More’
Paul Weller – ‘Wake Up The Nation’
Villagers – ‘Becoming A Jackal’
Wild Beasts – ‘Two Dancers’
The XX – ‘XX’