As we lead up to this year’s virtual Polaris Music Prize celebration on Monday, October 19th, you might be looking to get a listen in on the short list of 10 albums, which includes the likes of 2017 Polaris winner, Lido Pimienta, moccasin-gaze band, nêhiyawak, beloved pop artist, Jessie Reyez and more. Check it out below!

2020’s Polaris Music Prize Short List: 

Backxwash – God Has Nothing To Do With This Leave Him Out Of It
Caribou – Suddenly
Junia-T – Studio Monk
Kaytranada – Bubba
nêhiyawak – nipiy
Pantayo – Pantayo
Lido Pimienta – Miss Colombia
Jessie Reyez – Before Love Came to Kill Us
U.S. Girls – Heavy Light
Witch Prophet – DNA Activation  

The winner of the Canadian Artist of the Year award will walk away with $50,000 while the other nine artists will receive $3000 each.

Over the last five years we saw wins from Haviah Mighty (2019), Jeremy Dutcher (2018), Lido Pimienta (2017), Kaytranada (2016) and Buffy Sainte-Marie (2015).

You can find out 2020’s Polaris Music Prize album of the year on Monday, October 19th at 8:00PM on the CBC Music website.

What is your pick for this year’s Canadian Artist of the Year? Comment below. 

Check out the 2020 Polaris Music Prize long list here.