Olivia Dean, Lola Young, Lily Allen Among Nominees for Ivors Academy Songwriters’ Awards

The nominees for the 71st Ivor Novello Awards have been announced, setting the stage for the May 21st ceremony in London. This long-running event, which dates back to 1956 and is judged by fellow songwriters and composers, celebrates the artistry of British, Irish, and UK-resident music creators. A mix of established names and fresh faces leads this year's field, including Olivia Dean, Lola Young, Coldplay, CMAT, and Florence + the Machine.

A significant 34 of the 61 nominated songwriters are first-time honorees, underscoring a wave of new talent. Multiple nominations highlight several artists: Olivia Dean, Wolf Alice's Ellie Rowsell, and Kae Tempest (with producer Fraser T Smith) each received two nods. Veteran recognition is equally strong, with Damon Albarn securing his fifth nomination for Gorillaz's "Damascus." Albarn, a two-time past winner of Songwriter of the Year, is a founding member of the iconic Britpop band Blur. Similarly, rapper Little Simz earns her fifth nomination for "Free."

The categories reflect a broad range of musical excellence. Lily Allen's comeback album *West End Girl*, her first release in seven years following a hiatus focused on family and other projects, is contending for Best Album. In a notable collaboration, Florence Welch's "Everybody Scream," co-written with indie artist Mitski and composer Mark Bowen, is also nominated. The enduring appeal of classic hits is acknowledged, with Coldplay's 2008 global anthem "Viva La Vida" nominated for Most Performed Work alongside Lola Young's recent hit "Messy." This category often serves as a bridge between critical and commercial success, a point emphasized by music critic Simon Price: "Seeing a timeless track like 'Viva La Vida' alongside a current breakout hit perfectly illustrates the Ivors' unique focus on songwriting craft over fleeting trends."

Ivors Academy Chief Executive Roberto Neri congratulated the nominees, stating their work demonstrates "the strength, diversity and global influence of British and Irish songwriting." The ceremony, presented in partnership with Amazon Music, will award winners in key categories such as Best Album, Best Contemporary Song, and the Rising Star Award. Academy chair Tom Gray reinforced that recognition from one's peers at this event remains a pinnacle achievement for music writers.

The full shortlist showcases impressive breadth. The Best Album category spans Jim Legxacy's *Black British Music (2025)*, CMAT's *Euro Country*, and Wolf Alice's *The Clearing*. While the awards core mission is to honor UK and Irish writers, the rules allow for the inclusion of international collaborators when working with a qualifying co-writer. This policy has historically enabled the academy to celebrate influential figures like Bruce Springsteen, ensuring the Ivors maintain a globally relevant perspective while championing domestic talent.