Yves Jarvis named winner of 2025 Polaris Music Prize
Yves Jarvis, a talented singer-songwriter-producer from Montreal, achieved a remarkable feat by winning the prestigious 2025 Polaris Music Prize for his outstanding album, All Cylinders. Expressing his gratitude upon accepting the award, Jarvis humbly remarked, “Wow, thank you so much, I’m honoured, I’m really honoured. I was just honoured just to be nominated at all, I’m shocked. Thank you God, thank you God, first and foremost.” His heartfelt thanks extended to his parents, who played a pivotal role in his musical journey, providing him with a supportive environment to create his award-winning music. Sharing a humorous anecdote about the recording process, Jarvis mentioned how he got a concussion from the low ceiling in his parents’ spare room where he recorded the song “The Knife In Me”.
The victory at the 2025 Polaris Music Prize marked Jarvis’s first win, triumphantly securing the grand prize of $30,000 at the iconic Massey Hall in Toronto on Sept. 16. While this was his first win, Jarvis had previously been longlisted for the prize twice, with “The Same But by Different Means” making the long list in 2019, and his 2020 album, “Sundry Rock Song Stock,” being longlisted in 2021. The acclaimed album, All Cylinders, serves as his fifth studio release, showcasing a diverse range of sounds encompassing elements of funk, jazz, and psychedelic rock. Crafted amidst shifting locations including subletted apartments and his parents’ abode, the album was meticulously brought to life using Audacity, a popular free audio-editing software.
During the lively Polaris concert and award ceremony, Jarvis delivered enthralling performances of key tracks such as “With a Grain,” “Gold Filigree,” and “One Gripe,” enthralling the audience with his electrifying guitar skills. The musical extravaganza witnessed Jarvis’s powerful stage presence and musical prowess, capturing the essence of his innovative sound. All Cylinders emerged victorious from a shortlist of 10 albums, meticulously assessed and chosen by an 11-person grand jury drawn from a pool of over 200 Canadian music critics and journalists. The album outshone other noteworthy contenders like Mustafa and Nemahsis, who had previously garnered acclaim and Juno awards for their exceptional musical contributions.
Apart from Jarvis’s well-deserved win, the event also celebrated other remarkable talents in the Canadian music industry. Folk singer-songwriter Mustafa claimed the inaugural Polaris Song Prize for his poignant track, “Gaza Is Calling.” Esteemed rapper and previous Polaris winner Cadence Weapon accepted the award on Mustafa’s behalf, underscoring the significance of the track’s lyrical and musical prowess as recognized by the Polaris jury. Moreover, the Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize highlighted the enduring legacy of Canadian music, honoring classic albums that predate the inception of the Polaris Music Prize in 2006. Notably, rock band The Organ’s 2004 album, “Grab That Gun,” and Jane Siberry’s 1985 record, “The Speckless Sky,” emerged as the Heritage Prize winners, paying homage to their musical contributions and enduring impact.
The Polaris Music Prize concert and award ceremony showcased an array of exceptional performances and accolades, underscoring the vibrancy and diversity of the Canadian music industry. As the celebrations unfolded, artists and musicians from various genres were honored for their artistic excellence, creativity, and unwavering dedication to their craft, embodying the essence of Canada’s rich musical landscape.