As far as I’m concerned, the Polaris Prize people could’ve skipped straight from announcing their short list this morning to saying, “And Shad wins it. We just remembered Flying Colours is the best and nothing in the last year beats it.” I think Prairie Dog reviewer Matthew Blackwell might agree with me on that point.

But a lot of artists deserve some recognition, I guess. Ugh. Fine. Have your big fun party in September with the charming Jay Baruchel as a host, and then announce that Shad wins it.

Anyhow, here’s the short list:

Arcade Fire – Reflektor
Basia Bulat – Tall Tall Shadow
Mac DeMarco – Salad Days
Drake – Nothing Was The Same
Jessy Lanza – Pull My Hair Back
Owen Pallett – In Conflict
Shad – Flying Colours
Tanya Tagaq – Animism
Timber Timbre – Hot Dreams
YAMANTAKA // SONIC TITAN – UZU

And here’s a video of Jay Baruchel noises from The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, which I consider an overlooked Nic Cage gem.