The nominations short list has been unveiled for 2012's Polaris Music Prize, featuring the likes of Cold Specks, Fucked Up, Grimes and Japandroids.

The annual award is the Canadian equivalent of the Mercury Music Prize, with a panel judging the best album of Canadian origin from the past year. The winner receives $30,000, with last year's prize going to Arcade Fire with 'The Suburbs'.

Polaris Founder and Executive Director Steve Jordan comments: "Our jury is showing an ever growing passion and dedication to reviewing, discussing and advocating their selections. This has resulted in a Short List of records that are musically focused, intense and in some cases highly personal. The process of selecting a winner should prove to be an invigorating challenge for our Grand Jury."

Here's the full list:

Cadence Weapon – Hope In Dirt City
Cold Specks – I Predict A Graceful Expulsion
Drake – Take Care
Kathleen Edwards – Voyageur
Feist – Metals
Fucked Up – David Comes To Life
Grimes – Visions
Handsome Furs – Sound Kapital
Japandroids – Celebration Rock
YAMANTAKA // SONIC TITAN – YT//ST

The overall winner being announced on 24th September.