Polaris Music Prize Reveals 2022 Short List

Albums by Shad, Charlotte Day Wilson, OMBIIGIZI, Pierre Kwenders, Destroyer and more have made the cut

BY Allie GregoryPublished Jul 14, 2022

The Polaris Music Prize has whittled its 40-entry long list down to the 10-album short list ahead of announcing the Canadian Album of the Year at the Polaris Gala later this year.

The 10 finalists were announced earlier today via CBC Music during the Polaris Prize Short List Special, hosted by Exclaim! contributor A. Harmony.

The short list includes Destroyer's LABYRINTHITIS, Pierre Kwenders's José Louis and the Paradox of Love, Lisa Leblanc's Chiac Disco, Hubert Lenoir's PICTURA DE IPSE : Musique directe, Kelly McMichael's Waves, OMBIIGIZI's Sewn Back Together, Ouri's Frame of a Fauna, Shad's TAOSnotty Nose Rez Kids' Life After and Charlotte Day Wilson's ALPHA.

"This year's 2022 short list captures the ambition, creativity, and boundless potential of Canadian music from coast to coast," said Polaris jury foreperson Melissa Vincent. "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."

A jury of 197 members considered 223 albums released between May 1, 2021, and May 31, 2022.

The grand prize winner will be awarded $50,000 at the Polaris Gala, held at the Carlu in Toronto, on September 19. The nine runners-up will receive prizes of $3,000 each (courtesy of Slaight Music). Play MPE will award the grand prize winner a global music promotion distribution package worth $3,025, and the nine runners-up with packages worth $1,000 each.

Last year's Polaris Music Prize was won by Cadence Weapon for Parallel World.

2022 Polaris Music Prize Short List:

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

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