Polaris Music Prize short list: Feist, Daniel Caesar, Debby Friday among contenders

TORONTO – New albums from some of Canada’s top pop, electronic and R&B talents have landed on the Polaris Music Prize short list.

Indie popsinger-songwriter Leslie Feist and R&B singer Daniel Caesar are among the 10 contenders for this year’s $50,000 award for best Canadian album.

The group of finalists was whittled down from a long list of 40 contenders, which included Jessie Reyez and Dylan Sinclair.

Calgary-raised Feist made the cut with “Multitudes,” an album showcasing new material written during the pandemic as she settled into motherhood.

Caesar, born and raised in the Toronto area, is nominated for his latest album, “Never Enough“ — a self-reflection featuring collaborations with Raphael Saadiq, Ty Dolla $ign and others.

Also on the short list is Nigerian-Canadian genre-bender Debby Friday, whose debut album “Good Luck” made her a first-time Polaris nominee. The Toronto-based musician, who usually raps over industrial beats, opted for a more wistful and soulful direction this time around.

Oji-Cree alternative soul singer-songwriter Aysanabee also picked up his first nod for “Watin.” He’s the first artist signed to an Ottawa-based Indigenous label, Ishkōdé Records.

Haitian-Canadian artist Gayance landed on the list for her electronic-influenced album “Masquerade,” while Winnipeg’s Begonia was selected for her second album “Powder Blue.”

Also vying for the top album prize are “Being Somewhere,“ from British Columbia-born musician and two-time Juno winner Dan Mangan; ”Colder Streams,“ from Toronto-based rock band The Sadies; ”I’m Good, HBU?“ from B.C. hip hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids; and ”Blue Rev,“ from guitar-pop band Alvvays that originated on Prince Edward Island.

The Polaris Music Prize, presented by CBC Music, will be awarded at a gala held at Toronto’s Massey Hall on Sept. 19.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 13, 2023.

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