Klaxons, a London rock trio, have claimed this year's Mercury Prize, the U.K. music award dedicated to spotlighting the careers of promising newcomers.

The psychedelic prog-rockers created a buzz soon after the North American release of their debut album, Myths of the Near Future, on March 27, and quickly became the new darlings of the British indie music press, drawing accolades from NME.

The band, which took their name from a Greek word that describes a shrill, shrieking sound, won praise from the U.K. paper for their lush, atmospheric pop songwriting.

The £20,000 ($42,505 Cdn.) prize was awarded Tuesday evening in London by a panel of judges who characterized the dance punk group's sound as an "ecstatic musical adventure."

Band member Jaime Reynolds, who was nursing a broken leg and ankle after diving off a stage in France, was overcome with emotion after the win.

"I've just been sitting here having the worst two hours of my entire life," Reynolds said. "It just means so much to us."

Singer Amy Winehouse, who was on the shortlist for the prize, was at the annual awards ceremony, making her first public appearance since she went into rehab after reports of drug abuse.

Winehouse, 23, sang Love Is a Losing Game at the event and received an enthusiastic welcome from the audience.

Winehouse, who was a contender for the award for her album Back in Black, has recently cancelled a string of performances and award-show appearances.

The Arctic Monkeys, who are touring in the U.S., were the only act of the 11 contenders not in attendance.

They won the prize last year for their debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not and were nominated again this year for Favourite Worst Nightmare.

The eclectic shortlist was a mix of hip-hop artists, singer-songwriters, pop musicians and even a classical quintet.

The nominees for the prize included:

  • Rapper Dizzee Rascal for Maths + English.
  • Irish singer-songwriter Fionn Regan for The End of History.
  • Solo artist Jamie T for Panic Prevention.
  • Post-punk trio The Young Knives for Voice of Animals and Men.
  • Female soloist Bat for Lashes for Fur and Gold.
  • James Chapman, a soloist who sings under the name Maps, for We Can Create.
  • New Young Ponyclub for Fantastic Playroom.
  • Basquiat Strings for Basquiat Strings with Seb Rochford.
  • Scottish quartet The View for Hats off to the Buskers.