From a list of hundreds, 196 music journalists from across the country carefully decided the 10 best Canadian albums of which the winner of the 2023 Polaris Music Prize will be determined on September 19, live from Toronto’s legendary Massey Hall. In honour of this year’s vibrant list of nominees, Canadian Beats is examining the 10 nominees and celebrating the artists behind them.
“It feels special to have my first album be nominated for the Polaris. Above all, I’m immensely grateful to have been received so well on this project and I’m just that much more motivated to keep making music and expressing myself.” – Debby Friday, on her first Polaris Music Prize nomination
Hypnotic, hyper, and bold, Debby Friday is stepping onto the Polaris Music Prize stage with her dark and wonderfully relentless debut album, GOOD LUCK.
Though proud in its clear electronica roots, GOOD LUCK takes the listener through a journey of a particular vibe that combines traditional independent Canadian indie rock with a strong dose of pure post-punk New Wave. Tracks such as “I GOT IT”, “LET U DOWN” and “SAFE” lead the listener to move with their dark groove and rhythmic beats, while “SO HARD TO TELL” lifts a soft art-pop essence that leaves a loving mark on the listener.
“Every single time someone tells me that they connected with the album feels impactful,” Friday said in an interview with Canadian Beats. She says that, of all the songs on the album, the titular track “GOOD LUCK” is the most important. The song was the first to be written, and, as Friday says, “it’s the whole ethos of the thing.” And indeed, the track opens the album with a firm but empowering call to action for anyone in need of encouragement.
“Seeing how something I made can resonate with other people all over the world in this global way has been a perspective shift,” says Friday. “This is what I wanted and it’s happening and it’s incredible. I have a deeper appreciation than ever for the power of music.”
Will Good Luck launch Debby Friday into the atmosphere with a win at the 2023 Polaris Music Prize? Find out on Find out by following CBC Music on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Facebook, and at cbcmusic.ca/polaris and follow Canadian Beats for more Polaris Music Prize coverage.