Members of British band The XX are, from left, Jamie Smith, Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim. They hold their nominee trophy as they arrive for the Mercury Prize awards in London on Tuesday. They won. (Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters)

The XX won the U.K.'s Mercury Prize on Tuesday night for the rock group's self-titled debut album.

The XX had been favoured to win the honour, which goes to an album based on musical quality, with no consideration for album sales. Its Canadian equivalent is the Polaris Music Prize.

The indie trio from London's Notting Hill area was acclaimed for the emotionally resonant, modern album XX, often described as "minimalist." The band members, all in their early 20s, are guitarist-singer Romy Madley Croft, bassist Oliver Sim and Jamie Smith, who provides electronic beats.

"We've had the most incredible year. Every day we've woken up to something incredible we weren't expecting," Croft said after the win.

A Mercury Prize win usually leads to steep climb in album sales, as well as recognition.

The prize was awarded after a glitzy gala in London, with each of the 12 nominated acts performing.

Others nominated for the prize:

• 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.

Last year's winner was Speech Debelle, for Speech Therapy.