TORONTO - Former winners Patrick Watson and Caribou are once again in the running for the $50,000 Polaris Music Prize.
Records from perennial nominees Drake, Joel Plaskett and the New Pornographers were also among the 40-album long list unveiled Tuesday in Halifax.
The Polaris is awarded to the best Canadian album of the previous year as chosen by a jury of nearly 200 journalists, broadcasters and bloggers.
Newcomers to Polaris contention this year include Toronto's Alvvays, Vancouver pianist Tobias Jesso Jr. and veteran songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie.
The 10-album short list will be revealed July 16 and a winner will be named during a Toronto gala on Sept. 21.
Other previous victors include Tanya Tagaq, Feist and Arcade Fire.