The Polaris Music Prize has celebrated Canadian music since 2006, giving the winner bragging rights and a cash prize of $30,000 to continue their music career. Over the years, the prize has garnered more and more attention with its winners including Arcade Fire’s 2011 The Suburbs, and Feist’s 2012 Metals.

The process of nominating artists is relatively simple: a jury is compiled of Canadian journalists and personalities, who range anywhere from Pitchfork writers to MTV hosts and who have applied to participate in voting. Once they are chosen, they vote using a ranking system of what their top five Canadian albums were of the year, with five points signifying their favourite and one point to signifying their fifth favourite. The committee first releases a long list of 40 artists and then eliminates 30 to create a shortlist of 10 artists, who will then be considered for the prize and perform at the Polaris Music Prize gala.

There were certainly a couple of snubs from a long list including The Darcy’s Warring, Tim Heckerck’s Virgins, Badbadnotgood’s III, and Austra’s Olympia. There are no obvious winners, with the nominees ranging from previous nominees to previous winners and new artists. Although it would have been nice to see some more new artists added to the short list this year, the fairly predictable list contains some of the best Canadian albums of the year.

Arcade Fire Reflektor

It’s no surprise that Arcade Fire has again made the Polaris Music Prize shortlist. Nominated for every album they’ve released since Neon Bible, they’re loved by juries and fans alike, and with good reason. Their high-concept albums and emotionally charged lyrics that make every release an instant classic.

Basia Bulat Tall Tall Shadow

Another repeat nominee, Basia Bulat’s 2013 effort Tall Tall Shadow is one of this year’s most emotional albums. Recorded after a tough year, Tall Tall Shadow is a bittersweet summer album — one that begs for another listen.

Drake Nothing Was the Same

Say what you want about Drake, but you can’t deny that his music and his hometown pride has dominated the charts and international stages. Nothing Was the Same is an album that shows Drake’s softer side, treating his listeners like old friends, earning him #somenewfriends, and among them, Polaris jury members.

Jessy Lanza Pull My Hair Back

Opening for Caribou on his fall tour, Jessy Lanza is an artist who is making waves. Pull My Hair Back is her powerful debut that showcases her attention to detail, catchy lyrics, and beautiful textures.

Owen Pallett In Conflict

Pallett is a musical genius and violin virtuoso, as well as a previous Polaris Music Prize winner. In Conflict is an album that combines his original sound with the universal power of the traditional love song. This contrasting combination may very well get him his second Polaris Music Prize.

Shad Flying Colours

Juno Award winning hip-hop artist Shad returns with yet another impressive album. Flying Colours is a return to the rap we liked as kids, coupled with the instrumentals we enjoy as adults. He beat out Drake in 2011 — this is his shot to do it again.

Tanya Tagaq Animism

Animism is the clear dark horse of the Polaris Music Prize nominees. Tagaq is a traditional Inuit throat singer from Nunavut whose craft is very rare. Though Animism is odd to anyone who has never listened to traditional throat singing, Tagaq is an incredible talent. Her presence among the nominees adds some much-needed diversity to the list.

Timber Timbre Hot Dreams

Timber Timbre has always had a dark side to their music. In their latest effort, they take it to a new level, creating an album that sounds like a soundtrack to one very depressing black and white film, giving their sound refreshing character and cohesion.

Yamantaka // Sonic Titan UZU

Yamantaka // Sonic Titan is a band of blends, as emphasized by their dual name. UZU is a solid follow-up to their debut, reminding old listeners why they liked them in the first place and welcoming new listeners to a fascinating collective.