English Teacher’s ‘This Could Be Texas’ wins Mercury Prize Album of the Year 2024

Last night (5th September), English Teacher’s ‘This Could Be Texas’ was announced as the overall winner of the Mercury Prize 2024. 

Set up to celebrate the album as an artistic format in its own right, the prestigious award is given to what a team of expert judges deem to be the Album of the Year, chosen from a shortlist of 12 LPs (check out the full list below).

When announcing the winner, 6 Music’s Jamz Supernova commented that “This has been a really tough year for the Mercury Prize judges, with the final 12 albums being so reflective of our diverse & rich musical landscape. There was so much passion and enthusiasm for each one.

“In the end, though, we did agree that ‘This Could Be Texas’ by English Teacher stands out for its originality & character. A winning lyrical mix of surrealism and social observation, alongside a subtle way of wearing its musical innovations lightly, displays a fresh approach to the traditional guitar band format. ‘This Could Be Texas’ reveals new depths on every listen; the mark of a future classic.”

Released back in April, ‘This Could Be Texas’ is English Teacher’s debut album, following on from their 2022 debut EP ‘Polyawkward’. Since its arrival, the band have secured a Top 10 position in the UK charts; toured across the UK, Europe, and the US; and performed on Later… with Jools Holland. 

The Leeds-based quartet formed while studying at Leeds Conservatoire in 2020, and are the first act from outside London to win the Prize in a decade, since Young Fathers in 2014. The band have been vocal supporters of grassroots music scenes and venues, particularly in the North of England, with frontwoman Lily Fontaine writing about the issue of industry London-centrism for DIY last year. 

Revisit our five star review of the Leeds quartet’s superlative debut and watch them perform ‘The World’s Biggest Paving Slab’ on Jools Holland below.