The playlist this week is in anticipation of the upcoming 2022 Polaris Music Prize Gala and winner announcement. On the first playlist you will find a couple tracks from each of the 10 short listed albums on both Spotify and on YouTube. On the second playlist this week, you can revisit the past Polaris Music Prize winners. They are full of some great music by talented Canadian artists.

One of this years 10 short listed albums will win the 2022 Polaris Prize, which is being determined at the Polaris Gala, taking place September 19 at The Carlu in Toronto, Ontario.

The 2022 Polaris Music Prize Short List is:

Destroyer – LABYRINTHITIS
Pierre Kwenders – José Louis And The Paradox Of Love
Lisa Leblanc – Chiac Disco
Hubert Lenoir – PICTURA DE IPSE : Musique directe
Kelly McMichael – Waves
Ombiigizi – Sewn Back Together
Ouri – Frame of a Fauna
Shad – TAO
Snotty Nose Rez Kids – Life After
Charlotte Day Wilson – ALPHA

“This year’s 2022 Short List captures the ambition, creativity, and boundless potential of Canadian music from coast to coast. Bravo to our 10 nominees, and a huge thank you to our esteemed jury for offering their time and expertise. For the first time in a few years, I’m thrilled to suggest that if you have the opportunity to see any of the artists on this Short List live, you should. We’re all long overdue,” said Polaris jury foreperson Melissa Vincent. (Source: Polaris Music Prize)

Ombiigizi, Pierre Kwenders, and Shad are at the top of my wish list. Which album is your favourite? Who do you think will win?

The past Polaris Music Prize winning albums:

2006 – He Poos Clouds – Final Fantasy (Owen Pallett)

2007 – Close To Paradise – Patrick Watson

2008 – Andorra – Caribou

2009 – The Chemistry Of Common Life – Fucked Up

2010 – Les Chemins De Verre – Karkwa

2011 – The Suburbs – Arcade Fire

2012 – Metals – Feist

2013 – ALLELUJAH! DON’T BEND! ASCEND! – Godspeed You! Black Emperor

2014 – Animism – Tanya Tagaq

2015 – Power in the Blood – Buffy Sainte-Marie

2016 – 99.9% – Kaytranada

2017 – La Papessa – Lido Pimienta

2018 – Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa – Jeremy Dutcher

2019 – 13th Floor – Haviah Mighty

2020 – God Has Nothing To Do With This Leave Him Out Of It – Backxwash

2021 – Parallel World – Cadence Weapon