Best Kiwi albums of 2015 announced

Unknown Mortal Orchestra are finalists for the Taite Prize.

Independent Music New Zealand have announced the eight finalists who are in the running to win the Taite Prize this year.

In alphabetical order, they are:

Anthonie Tonnon

Anthonie Tonnon

Marlon Williams

Marlon Williams

Nadia Reid

Nadia Reid

Princess Chelsea

Princess Chelsea

Silicon

Kody Nielson aka Silicon

SJD

Sean James Donnelly aka SJD

The Phoenix Foundation

The Phoenix Foundation

Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Unknown Mortal Orchestra are finalists for the Taite Prize.

Voting for the finalists was particularly tight this year with over 50 high quality albums in the running.

Both Unknown Mortal Orchestra and SJD have previously won the award, and other past winners include Lawrence Arabia, Ladi6, Jakob, and Lorde.

The winner gets to take away $10,000, along with the kudos of being recognised for creating the best New Zealand album of 2015, based entirely on artistic merits.

This year's winner will be announced at a ceremony in Auckland on Wednesday April 20.