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The Polaris Music Prize has revealed the 20 songs nominated for the 2026 SOCAN Polaris Song Prize long list, selected by the 205 members of the Polaris jury.
In a similar vein to the Polaris Music Prize, the Song Prize celebrates the Canadian song of the year, based on artistic merit, regardless of genre or popularity. One artist will win the $10,000 Song Prize for one song, and it will be split between the song’s Canadian performers and the song’s credited Canadian songwriter(s).
From the long list, five songs will be named to the Song Prize short list, which will be announced on July 29.
The winning song will be announced during the Polaris Concert and Award Ceremony, powered by FACTOR, at Toronto’s Massey Hall on Sept. 22.
The 2026 SOCAN Polaris Song Prize long list is below:
Fabienk, Angine de Poitrine Yor Zarad, Angine de PoitrineGallows, AquakultreHoly, AquakultreMy Fantasy Life, BegoniaPut Your Feathers On, Blue Moon Marquee and Northern Cree Vending Machines, Mariel BuckleyStep Out, Cadence Weapon, Junia-T and DijahSB Hurts Like Hell, Charlotte Cornfield The Boy, Rochelle JordanCorrect, Les LouangesLa journée va être chaude, Les Louanges Jelly Meadow Bright, No Joy, Fire-Toolz Paris, Ouri feat. Oli XLHunger For Death, PupSeed, Julianna RiolinoNo Damn Fears, SloanVarieties of Quiet, Arielle Soucy House on Fire, Patrick Watson and Martha WainwrightLean, Charlotte Day Wilson feat. Saya Gray
With the exception of Saya Gray, who was nominated last year for Shell (Of A Man), these are the first nominations for everyone on the list.
Last year, the prize was won by folk singer Mustafa and his co-writers, Emmanuel Hailemariam, Simon Hessman and Nicolas Jaar, for Gaza Is Calling.
WATCH | The official music video for Gaza Is Calling: