The nominations for the 2010 Barclaycard Mercury Prize have been announced.

As expected, The xx’s debut album and I Speak Because I Can by Laura Marling (pictured) feature in the shortlist; the inclusion of Biffy Clyro and Villagers is more of a surprise.

The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony in London on September 7.

The shortlist:
Biffy Clyro – Only Revolutions
Corinne Bailey Rae – The Sea
Dizzee Rascal – Tongue N’ Cheek
Kit Downes Trio – Golden
Foals – Total Life Forever
I Am Kloot – Sky At Night
Laura Marling – I Speak Because I Can
Mumford And Sons – Sigh No More
Paul Weller – Wake Up The Nation
Villagers – Becoming A Jackal
Wild Beasts – Two Dancers
The xx – xx