UPDATE (Sept. 6): This Could Be Texas, the debut studio album by British group English Teacher, won the 2024 Mercury Prize on Thursday Sept. 5, beating such high-profile challengers as Charli XCX’s Brat and The Last Dinner Party’s Prelude to Ecstasy.

This Could Be Texas was released in April through Island Records and has climbed as high as No. 8 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart. It was produced by Marta Salogni, an Italian record producer, mixer and recording engineer. It’s the first debut album to win the Mercury Prize since Arlo Parks’ Collapsed in Sunbeams three years ago.

The judging team said: “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. The Mercury Prize was set up to celebrate the album as an artistic format in its own right and all the judges agreed that this charismatic body of work deserves to be the 2024 Mercury Prize Album of the Year.”

Albums by British and Irish artists with a U.K. release date between July 15, 2023 and July 12, 2024 were eligible for the 2024 Prize.

PREVIOUSLY (July 25): Charli XCX’s Brat was among the albums shortlisted for this year’s Mercury Prize on Thursday (July 25). It’s the second time that the recent Billboard Cover star – whose album recently charted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 – has been nominated for the prize, following a nod for 2020’s How I’m Feeling Now.

The Mercury Prize is awarded annually and celebrates the best of British and Irish music across a wide range of genres. The Last Dinner Party’s Prelude To Ecstasy, Beth Gibbons’ Lives Outgrown, Corinne Bailey Rae’s Black Rainbows and CMAT’s Crazymad, For Me are also up for the award. The winner will be announced in September.

The shortlisted albums were announced at a launch event in London this morning. It follows the news that this year’s live event – traditionally held at the capital Eventim Apollo and featuring performances from the nominated acts – will not be taking place. Coverage across the BBC on TV, radio, online and social media will replace the usual live performance.

The announcement comes admidst a huge summer for Charli. Earlier this week, the pop star endorsed U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris following the news that President Joe Biden would not seek the Democratic nomination in this year’s U.S. presidential election. Fans on social media quickly spliced together clips of songs from Brat with footage of Harris, and the presumptive democratic party nominee changed the banner on her campaign’s X feed to the signature Brat green palette and font. In addition, talking heads on CNN, Fox News and late-night talk shows scrambled to clumsily explain this sudden explosion of memes to their audiences. In September, Charli will join Troye Sivan on a co-headline tour in the U.S. before a string of solo arena shows in the U.K. later this fall.

The Mercury Prize was first awarded in 1992. Recent winners include Ezra Collective (2023), Little Simz (2022), Arlo Parks (2021) and Michael Kiwanuka (2020). PJ Harvey, who won the prize in 2001 and 2011, and is the only artist to have won the award twice.

A panel of judges, chaired by Jeff Smith, head of music, Radio 2 & 6 Music, selects the winner and it also includes the following: Danielle Perry – broadcaster & writer; Jamie Cullum – musician & Radio 2 broadcaster; Jamz Supernova – 6 Music broadcaster & DJ; Lea Stonhill – music programming consultant;  Mistajam – songwriter, DJ & broadcaster; Phil Alexander – creative director, Kerrang!/contributing editor, Mojo; Sian Eleri – Radio 1 broadcaster & DJ; Will Hodgkinson – chief rock & pop critic, The Times; Sophie Williams – music writer & broadcaster.

Here’s the complete list of 2024 Mercury Prize album of the year nominees:

New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.

Grupo Frontera & Gabito Ballesteros, “Pienso En Ella” (Grupo Frontera)

After dabbling in bachata on “Ángel” with Romeo Santos, Grupo Frontera returns to their roots to deliver a hip-swiveling cumbia titled “Pienso En Ella,” or “I think of her.” This time, the Texas group reels in Mexican singer-songwriter Gabito Ballesteros who adds his velvety vocals alongside Payo (Frontera’s frontman) to the accordion-powered heartbreak song. Produced by Edgar Barrera, who also co-wrote the song, it’s a testament to the hitmakers’ knack to produce songs that are both sonically and lyrically nuanced. — GRISELDA FLORES

PJ Sin Suela, Toda Época Tiene Su Encanto (El Efecto Secundario)

PJ Sin Suela has unleashed his fourth studio album, dubbed Toda Época Tiene Su Encanto, which loosely translates to “every era has its beauty.” In the 12-track LP, the Puerto Rican indie artist — who’s also a med school graduate and a published author — delivers a conceptual set about love that navigates from the early puppy love stage to overcoming a breakup, and beyond. A musical masterpiece, the artist born Pedro Juan Vazquez Bragan fuses funk, jazz, lo-fi beats, electronic, bolero and tropical music with reggaetón and hip-hop elements. Lyrically, PJ’s wisdom and maturity ooze through lyrics that, for the most part, are about discovering oneself and the importance of self-love, as notably heard in the closing track “Nunca Es Suficiente.”

“The album chronologically explores different stages of love, beginning with the initial innocence-exquisite yet fleeting-then moving through disappointments, experiments, and lessons,” the artist expresses in a press statement. “Ultimately, I learned that each stage has its own charm, with its highs and lows, but true love requires first loving what is uniquely ours.” Toda Época Tiene Su Encanto also includes collaborations with Jorge Drexler (“Todo Se Complica”), Ana Tijoux (“Polos Opuestos”), Elena Rose (“Maldades”), Ñejo (“En Las Guerras Nadie Gana”) and emerging Puerto Rican band Chuwi (“Escúchame”). — JESSICA ROIZ

TIMØ, “El Canto del Olvido” (UMG Recordings, Inc.)

Colombian boy band TIMØ presents their new single titled “El Canto del Olvido.” With analog instruments, with percussions as protagonists, the band sings about the heartbreak of a love that has left over a Latin pop track that fuses traditional and contemporary elements. “This is the song/ The song of oblivion/ Because when I sing it/ My crying ends/ And I forget that you’ve gone,” they sing in unison in the chorus. The band is preparing to hit the road with their Conquistar el Planeta Tour 2024, which begins on Sept. 26 and will take them through 14 cities in Latin America and Europe. — LUISA CALLE

Salomón Beda & Pedro Capó, “Cada Loco Con Su Tema” (Pa’lante Records LLC)

Colombian singer-songwriter Salomón Beda and Puerto Rican star Pedro Capó unite their good vibes in “Cada Loco Con Su Tema” (slang for “To Each His Own”), a chill pop single about accepting others by embracing their differences. “How boring the world would be if everything were the same,” goes part of the bridge before the chorus: “To each his own/ There’s no accounting for taste/ We give each other good vibes/ We are clear, there is no problem/ I don’t bother you, you don’t bother me.” The song, co-written by both artists along with Diego Contento, is refreshing and perfect to help you relax. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

Jhayco, Le Clique: Vida Rockstar (X) (Universal Music Latino)

With a rebellious sneer, Le Clique: Vida Rockstar (X) is a brash declaration of artistic evolution, with Jhayco enhancing his reggaetón beats for a raw revelry that electrifies and disrupts. Split into a thematic triptych — “Le Clique,” the family, “Vida Rockstar,” the movement, and “X,” the hits — the Puerto Rican star sails across genres with ease.

Opening with the title track, “Vida Rockstar,” the Jhayco salutes ’90s-era skater pop-punk, channeling the high-energy of bands like Blink-182. Disc two kicks off with “Le Clique” featuring DJ Khaled and Yovngchimi, who delivers a punchy, trap-inflected flow complete with playful lyrics that invite Prince Royce to swing into a bachata. It’s fresh, vibrant and indicative of the album’s overarching aim: to shake listeners and pull them onto the dance floor. On “58,” Jhayco ventures into Jersey club territory with the aid of Dei V, and on “0 Milla,” produced by MAG, Jhayco dives into hard-hitting reggaetón, complete with trap interludes and a screeching guitar that opens the song. Meanwhile, the third disc starts with “3D,” a Dominican dembow track that energizes the lineup alongside Tivi Gunz and De La Rose.

With the help of producers like Albert Hype, Tainy, and Haze, the album’s 29 tracks were recorded across global music hubs including Paris, Madrid, and Los Angeles, enveloping the in a worldly aura that complements its intrepid spirit. Collaborating with Peso Pluma, Quevedo, Eladio Carrion, and Bryant Myers, Jhayco unites a varied musical community. By weaving together the threads of rock, reggaetón, and everything in between, the singer, songwriter and producer transforms into a genre alchemist, reaffirming that genre lines no longer exist and the music speaks — and rocks (!) — for itself. — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Listen to more editors’ Latin recommendations in the playlist below:

What started as a whisper soon became a cacophony. As the August Bank Holiday weekend approached the U.K. industry was abuzz with rumors that stadium dates had been booked and that the great divide between Noel and Liam Gallagher had been bridged. The following week (Aug. 27) Oasis released a statement saying that a truce had been reached and they would reunite. “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over,” they said.

But how did the stars align exactly? It’s the question that everyone wants the answer to and, as of publication, we’re no closer to knowing. Beyond the reveal that the band would reunite to play a string of U.K. stadiums in 2025, there has been silence: no tell-all interview, or dispatches on Liam’s unfiltered, often hilarious, X (formerly Twitter) profile. Following the announcement, Noel did get cornered while out shopping by a brazen youngster who asked why the pair had fallen out. “‘Cause he stole my teddy bear,” Noel replied coyly.

Perhaps it’s purely for sentimental reasons. For years the pair fired insults at the other via the press. Liam took to calling Noel a “potato” and chiding his “cosmic pop” direction in his solo material. Noel gave as good as he got, saying that he didn’t listen to Liam’s solo material because “I can’t stand his voice” and dubbed the younger brother’s 2019 single “Shockwave” as “Shitwave.”

But eventually there was a softening. In a clip released alongside the 30th anniversary of Definitely Maybe, Noel made a point of praising his brother’s vocal performances on the record. Last spring, he laid down the gauntlet to Liam to get a reunion sorted and to stop the chatter: “He should get his people to call my people.” Seemingly, the call worked.

Post-COVID, the ‘90s have never been so popular. The decade’s aesthetic – baggy clothing, long hair, middle partings – has infiltrated TikTok videos, as has the sounds of the generation of musicians that made it big in the era. Reunion shows for the band’s contemporaries (and rivals) Blur and Pulp over the past two summers were attended by both Gen Z and their parents. Social media users have made spurious links between the selection of a Labour government in this year’s general election and that of Oasis’ return. In 1997, Tony Blair capitalized on the Britpop movement and his left-wing Labour government was elected in a landslide victory. Noel was later seen hobnobbing at No. 10 with the elites he once chided.

Liam, who remains a youth icon despite his 51 years, has seized the initiative. Earlier this summer, he celebrated Definitely Maybe’s 30th anniversary with a dedicated U.K. tour, playing the album in full. The tour was wildly successful earning rave reviews and stellar ticket sales; by the time he reached the run’s final show at Reading Festival on Aug. 25, he was teasing the incoming reunion announcement during the show.

The commercial opportunities for reuniting were likely overwhelming. Music industry expert Professor Jonathan Shalit estimated that the shows stand to generate £400 million in income for the group and promoters including SJM Concerts and Live Nation. Noel and Liam are expected to clear £50 million each after tax from these shows alone. Billboard Boxscore reported that a reunion world tour could “easily out-gross and out-sell the band’s entire touring history.”

The band have already collaborated with fashion brands Levi’s, Urban Outfitters and even Amazon for new merchandise drops. Streams of the band’s back catalog are on the rise following the news of their announcement. The possibility of getting a new demographic into the back catalog on DSPs will sweeten their existing power on physical media: a reissue of Definitely Maybe is set to go in at No.1 on the U.K. Albums Charts this week, toppling Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’Sweet.

There have been setbacks, however. Last year, Noel announced that he and publicist Sara McDonald, his partner since 2000 and the mother of two of his children, would be divorcing. Reports earlier this year said that Gallagher paid a settlement of £20 million to his former wife. She also took ownership of their £8 million-valued mansion in London.

There’s potentially another sizeable payday looming for Noel, the band’s chief songwriter. In 2025, the publishing rights for the band’s entire back catalog – including “Don’t Look Back In Anger” and “Wonderwall” – will reportedly revert back to his ownership.

In recent years, there’s been continued interest from record labels and investment firms such as Hipgnosis to acquire the rights to some of music’s most lucrative catalogs. Queen recently sold their rights for an eye-watering £1 billion, while Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and Katy Perry have also landed sizeable sums for their work.

A 2025 reunion would no doubt act as a thrilling advert for the breadth and potential for these songs as they potentially go up for sale. The opportunity to boost streams of the catalog – where much of the income will be generated – through a renewed presence in the spotlight is a shrewd one. Liam, who did not contribute any songwriting credits until 2000’s “Little James,” will likely not benefit from such a sale.

Despite the excitement and opportunities, Oasis have found themselves at the center of a storm. The use of Ticketmaster’s controversial “in-demand” dynamic pricing model meant that fans paid substantially higher prices than expected, particularly after queuing on the site for hours for a chance to purchase. Some reported paying over £350 for a ticket that initially was priced at £135. It has drawn the ire of fans, industry and politicians, with the government and the consumer watchdog Competitions Market Authority said to be “urgently investigating” the practice. The band have since responded saying that they had no “awareness that dynamic pricing was going to be used.”

After 15 years of waiting, the reunion the world was waiting for finally happened. Can Messrs. Noel and Liam keep it together long enough for everyone to enjoy it? Definitely. Maybe…

Summer might be over, but new releases from your favorite queer artists are still heating up. Billboard Pride is proud to present the latest edition of Queer Jams of the Week, our roundup of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ artists.

From Halsey’s ’90s-inspired new single to Mxmtoon’s dreamy new offering, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below.

Halsey, “Ego”

With an album title like The Great Impersonator, it’s clear that Halsey is ready to flex her range. “Ego,” the latest offering from the singer’s forthcoming new LP, sees them embracing a ’90s alt-rock sound to help them reign in their own psyche. Powerful drums and fluid guitar lines drive the new track forward, as Halsey declares that she “should try to kill my ego/ ‘Cause if I don’t, my ego might kill me.” Regardless of who is killing who, we can say for certain that Halsey definitely killed this song.

Mxmtoon feat. Kero Kero Bonito, “The Situation”

Getting older can be tough, and Mxmtoon would like the record to show that she’s handling it as best she can. Throughout “The Situation,” the singer-songwriter very simply laments the passage of time as another birthday comes around. The folk-rock sound Mxmtoon and guests Kero Kero Bonito employ give the track a boost of cheer, while lyrics like “we get older and then we die/ and there’s nothing you can do about it” even the mood back out, making for a delightful song about the inescapability of age.

Sevdaliza feat. Anitta, Pabllo Vittar & Yseult, “Alibi Pt. 2”

With her original track “Alibi,” Sevdaliza, Pabllo Vittar and Yseult painted a picture of a female bond so close that she could literally count on them to help her cover up a crime — for the latest remix of the track, the trio turns into a quartet to drive home that point. “Alibi Pt. 2” adds Brazilian superstar Anitta to the mix, making the queer anthem that much more palpable as the artists trade verses over this baile-funk track about women across the gender spectrum having each other’s backs, come what may.

Ashnikko, “Paint the Town Blue”

Ashnikko has long relished her role as the anti-hero that alt-pop music needs — now, she’s ready to revel in that status on “Paint the Town Blue.” Release in concert with the trailer of season 2 of Netflix’s hit League of Legends show Arcane, “Paint the Town Blue” sees Ashnikko employing hard-hitting, rock-inspired production and bossed-up lyrics to give the series’ protagonist Jinx just that little bit of extra edge: “Oh, you want a villain?” Ashnikko asks. “Lemme show you how I evil.”

Lauren Auder and Wendy & Lisa, “I Would Die 4 U (Prince cover)”

Reinterpreting a Prince classic is a risky choice, especially with a beloved single like “I Would Die 4 U.” But singer Lauren Auder’s team up with funk-rock icons (and former members of the Revolution) Wendy & Lisa not only pays tribute to the late icon’s work, but gives it new meaning when sung from a trans person’s perspective. Part of Red Hot’s forthcoming Transa benefit album for trans & non-binary communities, this glorious, exalted cover of “I Would Die 4 U” brings new life to a song that deserves it, from a trio of artists exceedingly well-equipped to deliver an all-time great cover.

Sleater-Kinney, “Here Today”

Rock duo Sleater-Kinney have just a few more things to say. Off their upcoming deluxe version of this year’s Little Rope LP, “Here Today” sees Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein doing what they do best — recognizing life’s shortcomings on a truly delectable rock song. Over a thrumming melody of fuzzy guitars and crisp drums, the pair lament “a world that’s gone insane,” while simultaneously understanding the need to enjoy life while you can. After all, we’re all “here today and gone the next.”

Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below: