KEN mode and Super Duty Tough Work Earn Polaris Music Prize Long List Spots

The Polaris Music Prize ended months of debate and speculation with the announcement of this year's long list of top Canadian albums and there are a cuople of familiar names...

KEN mode makes its Polaris debut this year with a nod for VOID. The noise rock fourpiece has also earned nominations for the 2023 JUNO Awards and 2024 Western Canadian Music Awards. Stream VOID

Super Duty Tough Work has earned its second Polaris Long List spot, this year for Paradigm Shift. The art rap outfit was on the Long List with Studies in Grey in 2020. They're also up for a 2024 Western Canadian Music Award this fall. Stream Paradigm Shift

Both albums garnered significant praise from media tastemakers and music critics and have helped to keep both artists busy with tours, festivals, and showcase dates.

The Polaris Music Prize is a not-for-profit registered charity that annually honours and rewards artists who produce Canadian music albums of distinction. A select panel of music critics judge and award the Prize without regard to musical genre or commercial popularity. The slate of albums was put forward by the 196-member jury -- which includes national music journalists, broadcasters, and bloggers. The coveted prize awards $50,000 to the best full-length Canadian album, while shortlisted artists each receive $3,000 courtesy of Slaight Music. The jury makes its selection entirely on artistic merit.

The 10-album Short List will be revealed on July 11 and the 2024 Polaris Music Prize winner will be revealed at a gala event on September 17 at Toronto's Massey Hall. 

Past nominees from Manitoba include Begonia (2020 Long List, 2023 Short List), Cannon Bros. (2012), Christine Fellows (2008), Figure Walking (2017), JayWood (2023), Greg MacPherson (2014, 2010), Imaginary Cities (2011), John K. Samson (2017, 2012), KEN Mode (2013), Propagandhi (2018), Super Duty Tough Work (2020), The Weakerthans (2008 Short List), William Prince (2020), Vagina Witchcraft (2021), and Zoon (2023).

The 2024 Polaris Music Prize Long List
Allie X - Girl With No Face 
BAMBII - INFINITY CLUB 
The Beaches - Blame My Ex 
BIG|BRAVE - A Chaos of Flowers 
Haley Blais - Wisecrack 
Charlotte Cardin - 99 Nights 
Beverly Glenn-Copeland - The Ones Ahead 
Corridor - Mimi 
Helena Deland - Goodnight Summerland 
Annie-Claude Deschênes - LES MANIÈRES DE TABLE 
Devours - Homecoming Queen 
DijahSB - The Flower That Knew 
Ducks Ltd. - Harm's Way 
Jeremy Dutcher - Motewolonuwok 
Elisapie - Inuktitut 
Dominique Fils-Aimé - Our Roots Run Deep 
Shane Ghostkeeper - Songs for My People 
Karkwa - Dans la seconde 
KAYTRAMINÉ - KAYTRAMINÉ 
KEN mode - Void 
La Force - XO Skeleton
La Sécurité - Stay Safe! 
Cindy Lee - Diamond Jubilee 
Sean Leon - IN LOVING MEMORY 
Terra Lightfoot - Healing Power 
LOONY - LOONY 
Jon Mckiel - Hex 
myst milano. - Beyond the Uncanny Valley 
NOBRO - Set Your Pussy Free 
NYSSA - Shake Me Where I'm Foolish 
Pelada - Ahora Más Que Nunca 
PETER PETER - Éther 
Population II - Électrons libres du québec 
Allison Russell - The Returner 
Arielle Soucy - Il n'y a rien que je ne suis pas 
Super Duty Tough Work - Paradigm Shift 
TALK - Lord of the Flies & Birds & Bees 
TEKE::TEKE - Hagata 
TOBi - Panic 
Tomb Mold - The Enduring Spirit