The 2022 Polaris Prize long list has just been released! After considering 223 of the best albums in the north, the 197-member jury has released their 40 contenders for Canadian album of the year.
Many Canadian mainstays have made their way onto the list, with The Weeknd, Shad and Arcade Fire snagging nominations. While tons of artists on the list have been nominated—or even won—in previous years, Luna Li, LOONY, Ombiigizi and Sister Ray have all snagged their first nominations.
To qualify for the 2022 prize, an album must have been released between May 1st 2021 and May 31st 2022. The list will be dwindled down to just ten albums, with the short list being released next month on July 14. The winner of the Polaris Prize will receive $50,000 CAD from Slaight Music, as well as a $3,025 global music promotion distribution package from Play MPE. Additionally, the runners up on the shortlist will receive a distribution package worth $1,000 CAD each.
Last year, the Polaris Prize went to Cadence Weapon’s Parallel World, with Backxwash and Haviah Mighty winning in 2020 and 2019 respectively.
The winner of Canadian album of the year will be chosen based on artistic merit alone—record sales, streams, and genre won’t be considered when the independent jury of Canadian music media deliberate.
Check out the whole list of nominees below:
AHI – Prospect
Arcade Fire – WE
Backxwash – I LIE HERE BURIED WITH MY RINGS AND MY DRESSES
BADBADNOTGOOD – Talk Memory
Jean-Michel Blais – aubades
Basia Bulat – The Garden
Tanika Charles – Papillon de Nuit: The Night Butterfly
Chiiild – Hope For Sale
Destroyer – LABYRINTHITIS
Julie Doiron – I Thought Of You
The Garrys – Get Thee To A Nunnery
The Halluci Nation – One More Saturday Night
Joyful Joyful – Joyful Joyful
Adria Kain – When Flowers Bloom
Lydia Képinski – Depuis
Pierre Kwenders – José Louis And The Paradox Of Love
Ada Lea – one hand on the steering wheel the other sewing a garden
Lisa Leblanc – Chiac Disco
Hubert Lenoir – PICTURA DE IPSE: Musique directe
Luna Li – Duality
Les Louanges – Crash
LOONY – soft thing
Kelly McMichael – Waves
Men I Trust – Untourable Album
Haviah Mighty – Stock Exchange
myst milano. – Shapeshyfter
Cedric Noel – Hang Time
Ombiigizi – Sewn Back Together
Orville Peck – Bronco
Ouri – Frame of a Fauna
P’tit Belliveau – Un homme et son piano
PUP – THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND
SATE – The Fool
Shad – TAO
Sister Ray – Communion
Snotty Nose Rez Kids – Life After
Stars – From Capelton Hill
Tanya Tagaq – Tongues
The Weeknd – Dawn FM
Charlotte Day Wilson – Alpha
