Mustafa, Nemahsis, Saya Gray and More Nominated on Polaris Music Prize 2025 Short List

The Polaris Music Prize has unveiled the 10 albums on this year's short list. The list was voted on by a large pool of music critics, journalists and curators, to find the best Canadian album of the year based solely on artistic merit.

The $30,000 winner will be chosen by an 11-member grand jury and revealed at the Polaris concert and award ceremony at Massey Hall, presented by FACTOR, on September 16. That ceremony will also reveal the winner of the brand new SOCAN Polaris Song Prize as well as the Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize winners.

Here is this year's short list:

• Bibi Club – Feu de garde [Performing]
• Lou-Adriane Cassidy – Journal d’un Loup-Garou [Performing]
• Marie Davidson – City Of Clowns [Performing]
• Saya Gray – SAYA [Performing]
• Yves Jarvis – All Cylinders [Performing]
• Mustafa – Dunya
• Nemahsis – Verbathim [Performing]
• The OBGMs – SORRY, IT'S OVER [Performing]
• Population II – Maintenant Jamais [Performing]
• Ribbon Skirt – Bite Down [Performing]

Three previous shortlisters are nominated again: Marie Davidson (2019), Mustafa (2021) and The OBGMs (2021). Last year saw the first repeat winner, with Jeremy Dutcher winning for his album Motewolonuwok.

All of the shortlisted artists except Mustafa are confirmed to perform, and former winner Haviah Mighty will host.

Tickets are on sale now. Polaris is offering 15% off tickets with the code POLARIS15.