A Llanidloes-raised singer-songwriter has been shortlisted for one of Wales' most prestigious music prizes which celebrates the best new albums made in the country.
Novo Amor's Ali Lacey is one of the 12 finalists for this year's Welsh Music Prize which highlights the best talent in the Welsh music industry.
The second self-produced album by Novo Amor, which means new love in Portuguese, named Cannot Be, Whatsoever continues the story where his 2018 debut, Birthplace, left off. Welsh Music Prize described his latest album as "poignant and uplifting" and, in Ali's words, a "shift towards the light".
This year marks 10 years since the awards launched by BBC radio DJ Huw Stephens in 2011 and the event will return to Cardiff following an online-only ceremony last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Cannot Be, Whatsoever by Novo Amor
Huw said: “Every year we are blown away by the outstanding music talent in Wales. The wide variety of talent we have in the shortlist is great to see; it's a really strong shortlist of albums.
“It’s been a tough year for the music industry with events being cancelled and postponed, so there’s never been a better time to support Welsh artists. Our judges will decide on a winning album, but I hope people listen to all the nominees; the quality is exceptionally high.”
Afro funk, hip-hop, and folk are just some of the genres recognised in this year’s Welsh Music Prize. Previous editions have revered past winners such as Gruff Rhys, Gwenno, Boy Azooga and last year’s winner Deyah.
Huw Stephens
The shortlisted albums have been whittled down from a longlist of 129 albums by more than 100 Welsh Music Prize jurors. Next month a panel of music industry judges will then have the difficult task of choosing one of the 12 nominated albums for the coveted prize.
The 2021 winner will follow in a long succession of artists and albums which have gone on to national and international success.
Peter Leathem, Chief Executive Officer at PPL, said: “This shortlist is a celebration of the diversity of Welsh music. Afro-funk, blues, rap, folk, Latin, techno and psychedelia are among the many genres represented here in a fantastic selection of Welsh albums from the last year.
“Congratulations to all those shortlisted. It is clear Wales continues to be a rich source of musical talent.”
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