James Blake wins 2013 Mercury Prize

James Blake has walked away with the 2013 Barclaycard Mercury Prize for his album Overgrown. The 25-year-old musician triumphed at an awards ceremony held on Wednesday night (30 October) at the Roundhouse in London, chosen ahead of 11 other artists who included David Bowie (for his comeback album The Next Day), Arctic Monkeys, Laura Marling and the favourite Laura Mvula.

The winner, who takes away a cheque for £20,000, was selected by a jury of industry people from a shortlist of twelve albums. The list included five debut albums, while Overgrown is Blake's second album. His first, eponymously titled album was shortlisted, but did not win the Prize in 2011.

"Well, I lost the bet," joked Blake accepting the award while thanking his parents.

The Mercury Prize shortlist always stirs debate and criticism and the victor will certainly surprise some. The classically trained Blake's often delicate and gently experimental electronica contains a subtle blend of musical influences overlaid with an emotive, melancholic vocal style. Overgrown takes its predecessor's template and develops it, expanding the classical and electronica flourishes into hip hop and dub influenced areas, aided by guests including musician/producer Brian Eno and Wu-Tang Clan leader RZA.

The entire Awards Show, including all live performances, will be broadcast in full on Thursday 31 October at 11pm on Channel 4.

The shortlist was as follows -

Arctic Monkeys - AM

David Bowie - The Next Day

Disclosure - Settle

Foals - Holy Fire

Jake Bugg - Jake Bugg

James Blake - Overgrown

Jon Hopkins - Immunity

Laura Marling - Once I Was An Eagle

Laura Mvula - Sing To The Moon

Rudimental - Home

Savages - Silence Yourself

Villagers - {Awayland}