Grimes, Carly Rae Jepsen And More Included On Polaris Prize Shortlist

Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat

The shortlist for the 2016 Polaris Prize has been revealed.

The Polaris Prize shortlist honors the best album of the year for Canadian artists.

The 2016 Polaris Prize Shortlist:
Black Mountain’s IV
Basia Bulat’s Good Advice
Grimes’ Art Angels
Carly Rae Jepsen’s E•MO•TION
Kaytranada’s 99.9%
Jessy Lanza’s Oh No
PUP’s The Dream Is Over
Andy Shauf’s The Party
U.S. Girls’ Half Free
White Lung’s Paradise

This years list marks the second time that Grimes, Black Mountain, and Jessy Lanza have made the shortlist. For Carly Rae Jepsen, Kayranada, PUP, Andy Shauf, U.S. Girl’s, and White Lung this is the first time they have been nominees for the list. Basia Bulat joins the ranks with Drake, Metric, Owen Pallat and Shad as the only artists to be nominated to the shortlist a total of 3 separate times. Artists like The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, Drake, Peaches, Destroyer, and Junior Boys initially made the long list, which explains why they are left off the shortlist.

The Polaris Music Prize will reward the winner of best Canadian album with $50,000. For the 9 others that do not win, (just like little league sports) they will still receive a prize $3,000 courtesy of Slaight Music. The judging int he competition does not take into account genre or total record sales, but instead judges solely on the artistic merit of the nominees. Past winners of the shortlist includeBuffy Sainte-Marie (2015), Tanya Tagaq (2014), Godspeed You! Black Emperor (2013), Feist (2012), Arcade Fire (2011), Karkwa (2010), Fucked Up (2009), Caribou (2008), Patrick Watson (2007), and Final Fantasy/ Owen Pallett (2006).

Grimes song “Medieval Warfare” will be featured in the upcoming film Suicide Squad due out August 5th. Grimes tweeted about the chance to create a song for a film featuring the character Harley Quin who she said recently influenced her song “Kill v. Maim” tweeting, “dreams becoming realiti”.

Carly Rae Jepsen released her second album Emotion last summer, and it with the exception of “I Really Like You” the smaller fanbase was a minor disappointment for Jepsen after her first album featuring “Call Me Maybe”became an internet sensation. Still Jepsen stands by her need to change to making music that was more authentic, stating “I feel much more comfortable. When I was at the height (of my fame) with ‘Call Me Maybe,’ it was a little bit too much, almost. This feels better. And also, to be recognized for something that feels more authentically you is the best feeling”. But, with these news of Carly landing on the Polaris Prize Shortlist, she must be thrilled to be back on top with her new music.

Polaris Prize Shortlist winner will be chosen on Monday, September 9th at 8 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on CBC Music’s Facebook and Youtube pages.