The Polaris Music Prize unveiled its 10-album short list on Thursday, and all contenders were released by artists based in Toronto or Quebec.
Among the Toronto acts who made the short list are folk artist Mustafa, pop experimentalist Saya Gray, Palestinian-Canadian indie artist Nemahsis and the punk rock band the OBGMs. Meanwhile, the Quebec cohort consists of indie pop duo Bibi Club, indie pop singer Lou-Adriane Cassidy, psych-rock band Population II, electronic artist Marie Davidson, indie-rock duo Ribbon Skirt and Calgary-born, Montreal-based experimental artist Yves Jarvis.
The $30,000 prize, which is awarded to the best Canadian album of the year based on artistic merit alone, will be given at a ceremony at Massey Hall in Toronto on Sept. 16. The ceremony will be hosted by 2019 Polaris winner Haviah Mighty.
The 10 finalists for the prize were narrowed down from a long list of 40 albums selected by a jury of 205 music writers and critics (including the author of this article). The ultimate winner will be determined by an 11-member grand jury, drawn from the broader jury pool.
The Polaris Prize, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, is widely seen as the most prestigious music award in Canada.
Last year, Wolastoqiyik singer Jeremy Dutcher won the prize for his album “Motewolonuwok,” making him the first artist in Polaris history to win the prize twice. Toronto electronic artist Debby Friday won the prize in 2023.
The full 10-album short list
Bibi Club, “Feu de garde”
The second album from the French-Canadian husband-and-wife duo Bibi Club is a playful and absorbing slice of bilingual indie pop-rock that has drawn favourable comparisons to Stereolab.
Lou-Adriane Cassidy, “Journal d’un Loup-Garou”
Hailing from Quebec City, Lou-Adriane Cassidy makes music that combines indie pop and atmospheric folk rock. “Journal d’un Loup-Garou” is her second album.
Marie Davidson, “City Of Clowns”
On her sixth studio album, electronic experimentalist Marie Davidson teamed up with Belgian band Soulwax to create a unique blast of politically charged techno that combines elements of pop music and spoken word.
Toronto pop experimentalist Saya Gray’s second LP is a sonically dense album filled with quirky production and big hooks. Read the Star’s profile by Emilie Hanskamp here.
Yves Jarvis, “All Cylinders”
The fifth album from the Montreal-based experimental artist is an exuberant, kaleidoscopic mishmash of funk, yacht rock and electrifying guitar theatrics.
Singer-songwriter and poet Mustafa’s 2024 album blends North American folk with traditional Middle Eastern music, and grapples with questions of faith and rootedness. Read the Star’s profile by Richie Assaly here.
The self-released debut from the quickly rising Palestinian-Canadian singer Nemahsis is a dynamic pop album that explores themes of self-acceptance, identity and family with unflinching honesty and vulnerability.
The OBGMs, “Sorry, It’s Over”
The indomitable Toronto band keeps the spirit of punk alive on their fourth album, a collection of propulsive rock songs that are equal parts heavy and catchy.
Population II, “Maintenant Jamais”
The latest album from this Montreal band is a groovy mix of psychedelia and prog-rock.
Ribbon Skirt, “Bite Down”
The latest album from the Montreal-based duo formerly known as Love Language is a rugged and gripping collection of indie rock songs shaped by the experiences of Anishinaabe singer Tashiina Buswa.
