Polaris Music Prize announces 2026 shortlist of ten finalists

The Polaris Music Prize has unveiled its 2026 shortlist, naming ten albums selected solely on artistic merit. The nominees include Charlotte Cornfield – "Hurts Like Hell", Aquakultre – "1783", Angine de Poitrine – "Vol. II", Begonia – "Fantasy Life", Bibi Club – "Amaro", Beverly Glenn‑Copeland – "Laughter In Summer", Rochelle Jordan – "Through The Wall", Les Louanges – "Alouette!", Peaches – "No Lube So Rude" and Tanya Tagaq – "Saputjiji". Four artists—Cornfield, Aquakultre, Angine de Poitrine and Rochelle Jordan—are first‑time nominees.

The $30,000 prize, funded by the Slaight Family Foundation, will be presented at a ceremony in Toronto’s Massey Hall on 22 September. This year’s selection process changes to a full 205‑person voting pool, replacing the previous 11‑person grand jury. In addition to the album award, the event will present the SOCAN Polaris Song Prize and the Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize.