Metronomy - Love Letters: Joe Mount & co have received critical acclaim throughout their career, yet Metronomy's fourth album has seen them rise to meteoric heights, headlining festivals and embracing the popularity their sound has always deserved.

FKA Twigs - LP1: The buzz around FKA Twigs hit dizzying heights long ago, and her incredible debut album certainly fulfilled it. Artful, tuneful and imaginative, we'd say Tahliah Barnett's appearance on this year's shortlist is almost a certainty.

Jungle - Jungle: Tipped for greatness by the BBC Sound Of 2014, Jungle's ascent has been truly outstanding to watch. For some their debut album may seem rushed, but the way in which this mysterious group are doing something completely different to everything else out there at the moment surely makes them worthy of a nod.

Mogwai - Rave Tapes: More subtle and electronically influenced than their previous work, Mogwai's eighth album split opinion when it came to the critics. Nevertheless, we hope the record's forward thinking nature makes it a shoe-in for this year's prize - regardless of what you think about their stance on Metallica headlining Glastonbury.

SOHN - Tremors: Pushing the boundaries of electronica with ease, Sohn's ability to fuse emotional content with groundbreaking production has made the hooded singer's debut album one of the most important electronic records of the last year.

Glass Animals - Zaba: Smooth, sultry with just the right amount of craziness, Glass Animals' debut effort established the band's the group's signature sound early on. With the Mercury awards based around innovation and acts that ultimately do things differently, we couldn't think of a band that fit the bill better.

East India Youth - Total Strife Forever: Innovative and unafraid to break new ground, William Doyle has fast established himself as a force to be reckoned with both live and on record. Visceral and dark in parts, subdued and immersive in others, Total Strife Forever helped set the bar for British electronica.

Royal Blood - Royal Blood: Leading the charge on the rock front, Royal Blood's has stormed to No.1 in the UK charts, marking the fastest selling rock album in three years. We'll be very surprised if they don't receive a nomination - not least because it would make for a refreshing change for the Mercury's to let rock into the spotlight.

CHVRCHES - The Bones of What You Believe: Another stunning debut released last year, Chvrches' first LP justified the hype. Emotionally resonant with all the right pop sensibilities, The Bones of What You Believe was adored by critics - not least Gigwise ourselves who named it as No.1 album of 2013.

Wild Beasts - Present Tense. Wild Beast's fourth album divided opinion when it was released in February, but nevertheless Present Tense has taken the band to new heights.

Damon Albarn - Everyday Robots: Over decades in the music industry Albarn has achieved an incredible amount, yet he still managed to surprise yet again with his first ever solo effort. Calculated and subdued but not lacking in charm, Everyday Robots was a careworn triumph.

Sam Smith - In The Lonely Hour: Undeniably this year's biggest pop breakthrough, Sam Smith has gloriously developed from a guest feature star to one of the most promising performers in British pop. With a seriously stunning voice and ability to draw newfound emotion out of every song, Smith's huge success so far in the states may help him take home the prize.

Bombay Bicycle Club - So Long, See You Tomorrow: Bombay Bicycle Club will be headlining festivals next year, and all because of their fourth record. Combining all the best elements from their discography to date, So Long, See You Tomorrow was raw and energetic in parts and supremely chilled in others.

La Roux - Trouble In Paradise: Five years in the making, La Roux's long awaited return saw Elly Jackson ditch the formulaic synth-pop (and her collaborator Ben Langmaid) for more sumptuous, 80's influenced brilliance.

Manic Street Preachers - Futurology: The fact that The Holy Bible wasn't even nominated in 1994 is criminal enough, but the fact the band have not been given the nod since 1998's This Is My Truth leads us to believe that Nicky, James and Sean may find themselves on this year's shortlist for Futurology. A stunningly forward-thinking and textured mesh of ideas and influences, the band's 12th LP was hailed by many as one of the best records of their career.