Polaris Prize announces 2026 shortlist

The Polaris Music prize, which honors the best Canadian album of the year, has unveiled its 2026 shortlist. Here are the 10 nominees:

• Angine de Poitrine – Vol. II
• Aquakultre – 1783
• Begonia – Fantasy Life
• Bibi Club – Amaro
• Charlotte Cornfield – Hurts Like Hell
• Beverly Glenn-Copeland – Laughter in Summer
• Rochelle Jordan – Through the Wall
• Les Louanges – Alouette!
• Peaches – No Lube So Rude
• Tanya Tagaq – Saputjiji

The winner, who receives $30,000, will be announced at an award ceremony happening on September 22 at Toronto’s Massey Hall, with performances from some of the nominees, including Aquakultre, Begonia, Bibi Club, Charlotte Cornfield, Beverly Glenn-Copeland (with Elizabeth Copeland), Les Louanges and Tanya Tagaq.

Artists that were on the longlist but didn’t make it to the shortlist this year include The Beaches, Boy Golden, Mariel Buckley, Ora Cogan, cootie catcher, Daphni, Nadah El Shazly, Holy Fuck, Kaytranada, Men I Trust, No Joy, Ouri, PUP, Julianna Riolino, Charlotte Day Wilson, and more.

The 2025 Polaris Music Prize went to Yves Jarvis for All Cylinders.