(That title feels like a tongue twister, eh?)

The announcement of the 2016 Polaris Prize short list is in about two weeks. What started as a list of 40, will be shortened to 10. This year’s nominees include some great surprises for Canadian indie fans and some… unsurprising names.

The Polaris Prize is award given annually to the best Canadian album, based on artistic merit. It was created in 2006, and currently, the winner receives $50,000. The eligible albums for this year’s edition are the ones released between June 1, 2015 and May 31st, 2016.

Are you familiar with all the 40 long-listed acts? Do you know only a few of them? You’re here just to see Drake ignore the whole deal again? We got you covered. Our friend Darlene Barss aka Darbarspecial made a Spotify playlist with the nominees to get you ready for the shortlist announcement. Let us know who’s your favourite!

The 2016 short list will be revealed on July 14th, while the Polaris gala will be on Monday, September 19th.