TOROTO - Colin Stetson was pretty sure his work would be represented on the Polaris Music Prize short list, one way or another.

The Montreal multi-instrumentalist played on three records that were included in the initial 40-album long list for the Canadian prize: his own solo effort, "New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges"; Arcade Fire's Grammy-winning triumph "The Suburbs" and Timber Timbre's "Creep On Creepin' On."

But seeing all three on the 10-album short list for the $30,000 award? That was a surprise.

"I knew that I was going to be on something that was on the short list -- that Arcade Fire was a sure win," laughed Stetson just after the nominees were unveiled during a reception at the Drake Hotel in Toronto.

"But being on three is pretty special."

It's Stetson's first time on the short list -- but that goes for most of the artists honoured this year.

Eight of the 10 nominees are in the running for the Polaris for the first time. The only previously nominated Polaris vets in the running are, of course, Arcade Fire, and the St. John's, N.L., orchestral-rock outfit Hey Rosetta, whose frontman Tim Baker said the band was "delighted" if not shocked by the honour.

"We weren't, I guess, as blown away this time as last time," he said.

"But still pretty surprised to be in this prestigious group, yeah."

And among the newbies? Toronto electro group Austra, Vancouver art-pop act Destroyer and even veteran Toronto singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith -- the most seasoned rocker ever to land on the Polaris short list.

Rounding out the list were the Calgary-raised, Montreal-based indie-pop group Braids, Montreal Francophone rockers Galaxie, and the moody R&B outfit the Weeknd, whose inclusion on the list was significant in a few ways.

The Drake-endorsed Toronto trio, led by singer Abel Tesfaye, arrived seemingly out of nowhere to drop their mixtape debut, "House of Balloons," to instant Internet buzz in March.

So not only is the Weeknd the first R&B act to be shortlisted for the award, but the honour marks the first time that Polaris has recognized an album that was available for free download, and not sold commercially.

"That's kind of mind-blowing," said the award's founder Steve Jordan, who noted that mixtapes used to be ineligible for the Polaris until members of the jury complained two years ago and the rule was changed.

"We totally did not anticipate that would mean that in two years a record would make the short list. So it's really making our jury look prescient and all-knowing, which is very good.

"So the Weeknd can thank not just the jury vote but the jury foreseeing that future."

That jury consists of 213 music journalists, broadcasters and bloggers from across Canada, who are tasked with selecting the best Canadian album from the previous year without regard for genre or sales. A grand jury of 10 will be selected from that pool to choose the final winner, to be crowned at a gala in Toronto on Sept. 19.

Last year, orchestral Francophone outfit Karkwa were the surprise victors, and with five Montreal acts shortlisted this year -- the most of any city -- there's a good chance a cross-town peer could nab this year's trophy.

With Arcade Fire having taken album of the year honours at both the Grammy Awards and Junos, that beloved band might appear to be the front-runner.

"I feel that's the case just on the music, you know -- Grammys and whatnot aside," Baker said. "It's an amazing band, an amazing record."

But when it comes to the Polaris, which has also previously gone to Patrick Watson, Caribou and Final Fantasy, being perceived as the favourite has often seemed more a burden than a boon.

"With Polaris, there never truly is a front-runner," Jordan said.

"Because once we pick the jury to decide the winner, every record has a champion in that room. So all bets are off."