English Teacher have contributed to an album shortlisted for the 2026 Mercury Prize. This comes just two years after winning the accolade themselves with their debut album, This Could Be Texas.
English Teacher. Photo credit: Tatiana Ponzuelo
The four-piece band, who formed at Leeds Conservatoire, are amongst acclaimed musicians who came together to create HELP(2), an album containing tracks in support of charity War Child’s work. Written by frontwoman Lily Fontaine as a student, the band’s contribution ‘Parasite’ features Blur’s Graham Coxon on guitar and was recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios.
The Mercury Prize promotes the best of UK and Irish music, plus the artists who produce it. This year’s Album of the Year shortlist, featuring HELP(2), is as follows:
- Dave - The Boy Who Played the Harp
- Dove Ellis - Blizzard
- Florence + The Machine - Everybody Scream
- JADE - THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY!
- Knats - A Great Day In Newcastle
- Kojey Radical - Don't Look Down
- Nia Archives - Emotional Junglist
- Olivia Dean - The Art of Loving
- Paul McCartney - The Boys of Dungeon Lane
- RAYE - THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE
- Suede - Antidepressants
- War Child Records - HELP(2)
The winner will be announced during the ceremony on 22 October 2026 at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena.
