Finalists revealed for the 2014 Taite Music Prize

The finalists for this year's Taite Music Prize 2014 have been named.

Named after late music journalist Dylan Taite, the prize recognises outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained on one album, regardless of sales, genre, artist recognition or popularity.

This year's finalists, selected from a long list of 52 nominees, and determined by a broad section of music media/industry specialists, are…

Ruban Nielson's Unknown Mortal Orchestra for their second album - II, Wellington metal band Beastwars with their sophomore effort - Blood Becomes Fire, 2013 Critics' Choice winner Sheep Dog & Wolf for his debut album - Egospect, The Phoenix Foundation with their fifth double LP - Fandango, Auckland rapper David Dallas with - Falling Into Place, hip-hop collective @peace with their second release - Girl Songs, Lorde with her breakthrough debut album - Pure Heroine and  Jonathan Bree with his debut solo album - The Primrose Path.

The overall award winner will be announced on Wednesday 16 April at an invitation-only event at Galatos in Auckland, taking home a cash prize of $10,000, plus gratis recording time at Red Bull Studios and a full year's supply of the energy drink to enhance further songwriting.