Angine de Poitrine, the Beaches make Polaris long list for best Canadian album

Quebec' masked band Angine de Poitrine is shown in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Constantin Monfilliette (Mandatory Credit)

Quebec internet sensations Angine de Poitrine, electronic music heavyweight Kaytranada and Toronto rockers the Beaches are among the acts competing for this year’s Polaris Music Prize.

The annual award, which honours the best Canadian album based solely on artistic merit, announced its 40-album long list Thursday in Toronto.


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Angine de Poitrine’s sophomore album “Vol. II” has emerged as a critical favourite this year with the masked math-rock duo riding a wave of viral success.

The group joins an eclectic long list of artists spanning punk, hip-hop, electronic, folk and experimental music

Montreal producer Kaytranada earned a nod for “Ain’t No Damn Way!,” while the Beaches are up for “No Hard Feelings.”

The long list also includes releases from Shad, Men I Trust, PUP, Charlotte Cornfield, TOBi, Charlotte Day Wilson, Rochelle Jordan and more.


The winner of the $30,000 Polaris Music Prize, courtesy of the Slaight Family Foundation, will be announced Sept. 22 at Toronto’s Massey Hall.

The 10-album short list is set to be revealed July 9.

Kaytranada is among three past Polaris winners on the long list, including Tanya Tagaq and Dan Snaith, whose project Daphni is nominated for “Butterfly.”

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Snaith previously won the prize under his Caribou moniker.

The list also includes 13 first-time nominees. Organizers say 202 albums were considered by a 205-member jury this season.

For the second year, the Polaris Song Prize will be handed out, with its 20-nominee long list set to be announced June 25.

The winner will receive $10,000 courtesy of SOCAN.

Montreal rocker Yves Jarvis won last year’s Polaris Music Prize for his album “All Cylinders,” while Sudanese Canadian folk artist Mustafa took home the Song Prize for “Gaza is Calling.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2026.