ARLO PARKS WINS MERCURY PRIZE

Transgressive-signed Arlo Parks has been crowned the winner of the 2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize for her debut, Collapsed in Sunbeams. The set was praised by judges for its complex and intelligent lyrical content.

Parks collected the winner’s trophy and cheque for £25k at the ceremony Thursday night, which took place at London’s Eventim Apollo. She also performed her latest single, “Too Good.”

“Addressing such complex issues as mental health and sexuality with real empathy, displaying a lyrical wisdom that belied her 21 years, with Collapsed In Sunbeams, Arlo Parks has created an album that has captured the spirit of the year in a positive, forward-thinking fashion,” the judges said.

“It has the ability to reach out and remind a wider audience of the timeless art of the album. Arlo is an artist who connects deeply with her generation and reflects the plurality of contemporary British life.”

Transgressive praised the win via Twitter: "We are all so thrilled and moved that such an important record that has meant so much to so many people has been recognised and celebrated with this prize. Winning a Mercury Prize has been a dream of ours for so long and it feels really special."

The show also featured live performances from artists behind the other shortlisted albums of the year, including BERWYN, Black Country, New Road, Celeste, Ghetts, Hannah Peel, Laura Mvula, Mogwai, Nubya Garcia, and Wolf Alice.