Yves Jarvis, a talented singer-songwriter-producer from Montreal, emerged victorious at the 2025 Polaris Music Prize with his remarkable album, “All Cylinders.”
Expressing his gratitude, Jarvis humbly accepted the award at Massey Hall in Toronto on Sept. 16, acknowledging the honor of being nominated and attributing his success to the unwavering support of his parents. He shared a humorous anecdote about recording the song “The Knife In Me” in his parents’ low-ceilinged spare room, where he even suffered a concussion.
This win marks Jarvis’ first Polaris Music Prize triumph, earning him a cash prize of $30,000. Notably, his previous albums “The Same But by Different Means” and “Sundry Rock Song Stock” had been longlisted for the prize in 2019 and 2021, respectively.
“All Cylinders,” Jarvis’ fifth album, showcases a fusion of diverse musical genres, from funk and jazz to psychedelic rock. The artist crafted this eclectic piece while moving between subletted apartments and his parents’ home, utilizing Audacity, a free audio-editing software, to bring his musical vision to life.
During the Polaris concert and award ceremony, Jarvis enthralled the audience with energetic performances of tracks like “With a Grain,” “Gold Filigree,” and “One Gripe,” showcasing his exceptional guitar skills.
Selected from a pool of 10 albums by an 11-person grand jury, “All Cylinders” triumphed over works by other notable artists such as Mustafa and Nemahsis. Mustafa, in particular, secured the inaugural Polaris Song Prize for his poignant track, “Gaza Is Calling,” receiving $10,000 which he will share with his co-writers.
Furthermore, the Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize recognized two outstanding albums predating the Polaris Music Prize’s establishment in 2006. The public voted for rock band The Organ’s 2004 album, “Grab That Gun,” while the jury selected Jane Siberry’s 1985 record, “The Speckless Sky.”
Reflecting on her win, Siberry emphasized the diverse themes encompassed in her music, while The Organ’s frontwoman, Katie Sketch, expressed gratitude for the dedicated fan base that supported their musical journey.
For those eager to relive the Polaris concert and award ceremony, highlights will be available on CBC Music Live via CBC Radio One and CBC Listen on Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. ET and Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. ET.