Nominations announced for The Ivors with Amazon Music 2025 24 Apr 2025
- Lola Young receives three nominations in her first year of recognition by The Ivors Academy
- RAYE, Ghetts and Conor Dickinson each receive two nominations
- Charli xcx, Ghetts, Jordan Rakei, Lola Young and BERWYN in contention for Best Album
- Wham!’s “Last Christmas” in the running as one of PRS for Music’s Top 5 Most Performed Songs of 2024, 21 years after George Michael was nominated in the same category
- JADE, Fontaines D.C., Orla Gartland, Myles Smith, Dua Lipa, Pa Salieu and Laura Marling also feature among this year’s nominees
- Daniel Pemberton and Martin Phipps nominated for a second successive year for Best Original Film Score and Best Television Soundtrack, respectively
- Film, television and games composers nominated also include Mica Levi, Jack Halama, Natalie Holt, Raffertie, and Vince Pope
- The 70th edition of The Ivors with Amazon Music will take place at Grosvenor House in London on Thursday 22 May 2025, when U2 will be inducted into Academy Fellowship
- Listen to The Ivors 2025 playlist on Amazon Music here
Today The Ivors Academy announces the nominations for The Ivors 2025 with Amazon Music, recognising and celebrating exceptional achievements in songwriting and screen composing across eight categories. This year marks the 70th year of the prestigious awards, with the winners set to be revealed at the ceremony taking place at Grosvenor House, London, on Thursday 22 May 2025.
Recognised as a pinnacle of creative musical achievement since they were first presented in 1956, winning an Ivor Novello holds a special place in music as they are judged by acclaimed songwriters and composers from The Ivors Academy, with winners joining a roll call of greats that includes Adele, Stormzy, Lana Del Rey, Annie Lennox, Amy Winehouse, Dave, Skepta, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney and John Lennon.
Tom Gray, Chair of The Ivors Academy, said: “Everyone knows The Ivors are the most joyful celebration of music making in the calendar. Many of the most talented and creative people on the planet get together to celebrate each other’s exceptional originality and craft. Congratulations to all of the remarkable nominees this year. It’s a huge privilege for The Ivors Academy to champion music creation in all its forms.”
Roberto Neri, Chief Executive of The Ivors Academy, said: “An Ivor Novello Award holds a unique place in music, as it is judged by fellow songwriters and composers, making it the most respected acknowledgement of creative excellence. We are proud to welcome and celebrate the nominees’ achievements and look forward to honouring their work at the 70th edition of The Ivors in May.”
This year, 74 individual British, Irish or UK resident composers and songwriters, and their international collaborators, have received Ivor Novello nominations, with 66% for the first time. Lola Young receives the most nominations with three, in her first year of recognition by The Ivors Academy, while RAYE – winner of last year’s Songwriter of the Year – Ghetts, and Conor Dickinson all receive two.
The Ivor Novello Award for Best Album celebrates consistent and inventive creativity and recognises the album as a complete and cohesive work. This year’s nominations span across a wide range of genres and styles, from the fearless experimental pop of Charli xcx’s BRAT to the melting pot of rap, R&B, spoken word and poetry on BERWYN’s WHO AM I. Ghetts is nominated for On Purpose, With Purpose, as is Jordan Rakei with The Loop and Lola Young with This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway.
Celebrating outstanding originality in songwriting, Best Contemporary Song sees a second nomination for Ghetts for “Double Standards (feat. Sampha)”, JADE receives her first nomination as a solo artist with debut single “Angel of My Dreams”, as does Sans Soucis’ “Circumnavigating Georgia” and Bashy’s “How Black Men Lose Their Smile”. Finally, Pa Salieu is up for recognition with “Allergy”, four years on from his last nomination in the same category.
Best Song Musically and Lyrically acknowledges outstanding song craft. “Child of Mine” by Laura Marling is recognised, as is RAYE’s 2024 single “Genesis.”, Fontaines D.C.’s “In the Modern World”, Lola Young’s UK chart-topping hit “Messy”, and Orla Gartland receives her first Ivor Novello nomination with “Mine”.
In the PRS for Music Most Performed Work category, the 2022 hit “As It Was” by Harry Styles, Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson is in contention for a third year running, demonstrating the longevity of this release. “Last Christmas” by Wham! gives George Michael a posthumous Ivor Novello Award nomination, 21 years since he was nominated in this category for “Amazing”. Also in the running are “Houdini” by Dua Lipa, “Stargazing” by Myles Smith, and “Prada” by Cassö, RAYE and D-Block Europe.
The Rising Star Award with Amazon Music celebrates British, Irish or UK resident songwriters aged 18-24 who are at the tipping point of greatness. Each nominee receives year-long, tailored support for their creativity and career from Amazon Music and The Ivors Academy, with 2023’s Rising Star Victoria Canal going on to win the Ivor Novello for Best Song Musically and Lyrically last year. The 2025 nominations celebrate five female rising stars: Bea and her Business, Liang Lawrence, LULU., Nia Smith and Lola Young – who earns her third nomination this year.
The Ivors also celebrates Britain and Ireland’s finest composers across film, TV and video games. Best Original Film Score celebrates an original and inventive approach to composing music for film, with Daniel Pemberton nominated in this category for a second successive year, this time with Fly Me to the Moon. Also nominated is Gary Yershon’s music to Hard Truths,Michael ‘Mickey J’ Asante’s original score to Kneecap, Raffertie’s music to The Substance and Mica Levi’s score to The Zone of Interest – Levi previously won this award in 2018.
Best Television Soundtrack recognises five standout dramas from 2024 and how the composers deepen the storytelling through their music. Martin Phipps is nominated for his soundtrack to spy thriller Black Doves, alongside Oliver Coates’ music to historical drama Mary & George, Jack Halama and Natalie Holt’s soundtrack to drama Rivals, Vince Pope’s score toTrue Detective: Night Country and Carly Paradis’ music to crime drama Until I Kill You.
Best Original Video Game Score celebrates original music that elevates gameplay and enhances the immersive experience. This year’s nominations are five distinct titles: Mathieu Alvado and Mark Choi’s soundtrack to the photorealistic, third-person real-time strategy gameEmpire of the Ants, John Konsolakis’ score to the adventure game Farewell North; Eli Rainsberry’s music to Flock, David Garcia Diaz’s soundtrack to Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II and Boxed Ape’s score to the interactive drama horror The Casting Of Frank Stone.
As previously announced, U2 are the latest songwriters set to become Academy Fellows, the greatest accolade bestowed by The Ivors Academy, in recognition of their enduring influence and impact on the craft of songwriting. Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. will become the first Irish songwriters that the Academy has inducted into Fellowship in its 81-year history.
Also at The Ivors on 22 May, Ivor Novello Awards will be presented for the Songwriter of the Year with Amazon Music, Outstanding Song Collection, Visionary Award with Amazon Music, Special International Award, and PRS for Music Icon Award.
The Ivors 2025 nominations:
BEST ALBUM
BRAT written by Charli xcx, A. G. Cook and Finn Keane
Published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing, Concord Music Publishing obo Alias Guild and Universal Music Publishing
Performed by Charli xcx
ON PURPOSE, WITH PURPOSE written by Ghetts and TenBillion Dreams
Published in the UK by BMG Rights Worldwide UK
Performed by Ghetts
THE LOOP written and performed by Jordan Rakei
Published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing
THIS WASN’T MEANT FOR YOU ANYWAY written by William Brown, Conor Dickinson, Jared Solomon and Lola Young
Published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing obo Day One Songs, Sony Music Publishing - Solomon Gouda and Sony Music Publishing
Performed by Lola Young
WHO AM I written and performed by BERWYN
Published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing
BEST CONTEMPORARY SONG
ALLERGY written by Felix Joseph, Alastair O’Donnell and Pa Salieu
Published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing and Sony Music Publishing
Performed by Pa Salieu
ANGEL OF MY DREAMS written by Pablo Bowman, JADE, Steph Jones and Mike Sabath
Published in the UK by Kobalt Music Publishing, Sony Music Publishing and Universal Music Publishing obo Hipgnosis Hits-Steph Jones Who Music-Vistaville Music
Performed by JADE
CIRCUMNAVIGATING GEORGIA written and performed by Sans Soucis
Published in the UK by Sentric Music
DOUBLE STANDARDS written by Ghetts, EMIL, Sampha Sisay and R-Kay
Published in the UK by BMG Rights Worldwide UK, Ditto Plus Music Publishing and Sony Music Publishing - Young Songs
Performed by Ghetts feat. Sampha
HOW BLACK MEN LOSE THEIR SMILE written by Bashy, Toddla T and Linton Kwesi Johnson Published in the UK by Downtown Music obo DLJ Songs, BMG Rights Worldwide UK and Universal Music Publishing obo L-K-J Music Publishers
Performed by Bashy
BEST SONG MUSICALLY AND LYRICALLY
CHILD OF MINE written and performed by Laura Marling
Published in the UK by Kobalt Music Publishing
GENESIS. written by Rodney Jerkins, RAYE and Toneworld
Published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music and Kobalt Music Publishing obo Mohemmusic-Songs by Seventy 7 Music
Performed by RAYE
IN THE MODERN WORLD written by Grian Chatten, Conor Curley, Conor Deegan, Thomas Coll and Carlos O’connell
Published in the UK by Domino Publishing Company
Performed by Fontaines D.C.
MESSY written by Conor Dickinson and Lola Young
Published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing obo Day One Songs and Sony Music Publishing
Performed by Lola Young
MINE written and performed by Orla Gartland
Published in the UK by Kobalt Music Publishing obo San Remo Music
PRS FOR MUSIC MOST PERFORMED WORK
AS IT WAS written by Kid Harpoon, Tyler Johnson and Harry Styles
Published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing and Concord Music Publishing obo These Are Pulse Songs
Performed by Harry Styles
HOUDINI written by Caroline Ailin, Danny L Harle, Tobias Jesso Jnr, Dua Lipa and Kevin Parker
Published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing obo Viking Jamz Publishing, Sony Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing and Warner Chappell Music obo Radical 22 Publishing
Performed by Dua Lipa
LAST CHRISTMAS written by George Michael
Published in the UK by Warner Chappell Music obo WHAM! Music Limited
Performed by WHAM!
PRADA written by D-Block Europe, Obi Ebele (Da Beatfreakz), Uche Ebele (Da Beatfreakz), Jahmori "Jaymo" Simmons and RAYE
Published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing, Bucks Music Group Ltd obo Armada Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing obo Fat Pigeon (Publishing) Limited and Warner Chappell Music
Performed by Cassö, RAYE and D-Block Europe
STARGAZING written by Peter Fenn, Jesse Fink and Myles Smith
Published in the UK by Kobalt Music Publishing obo Songs by 308 Publishing-Where Da Kasz At, Lyric Global Copyright Services Crescendo obo Arcade Artists Publishing-Jesse Fink Publishing-Spirit One Music Crescendo and Sony Music Publishing
Performed by Myles Smith
RISING STAR AWARD WITH AMAZON MUSIC
Bea and her Business
Liang Lawrence
Lola Young
LULU.
Nia Smith
BEST ORIGINAL FILM SCORE
FLY ME TO THE MOON composed by Daniel Pemberton
Published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing obo Apple
HARD TRUTHS composed by Gary Yershon
Published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing obo Thin Man Films
KNEECAP composed by Michael ‘Mickey J’ Asante
THE SUBSTANCE composed by Raffertie
Published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing obo Universal Pictures Music
THE ZONE OF INTEREST composed by Mica Levi
Published in the UK by Domino Publishing Company
BEST ORIGINAL VIDEO GAME SCORE
EMPIRE OF THE ANTS composed by Mathieu Alvado and Mark Choi
FAREWELL NORTH composed by John Konsolakis
FLOCK composed by Eli Rainsberry
SENUA’S SAGA: HELLBLADE II composed by David Garcia Diaz
THE CASTING OF FRANK STONE composed by Boxed Ape
BEST TELEVISION SOUNDTRACK
BLACK DOVES composed by Martin Phipps
Publishing in the UK by BMG Rights Management UK obo Maisie Anthems
MARY & GEORGE composed by Oliver Coates
Published in the UK by SATV Publishing
RIVALS composed by Jack Halama and Natalie Holt
Published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing obo Walt Disney Music Company
TRUE DETECTIVE: NIGHT COUNTRY composed by Vince Pope
Published in the UK by Universal Music Publishing obo T-L Music Publishing
UNTIL I KILL YOU composed by Carly Paradis
Published in the UK by BMG Rights Management UK obo Veti Music Publishing
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THE HEADLINES
Do most artists peak with their first album? (see Analysis)
Court battle over unpaid royalties could have implications for the industry in the streaming era (see News)
Luminate released its 2025 year-end music report (see Reports)
Impala sets out crucial questions on UMG/Downtown, AI, sovereignty and more for EU & music sector (see Comment)
Spotify’s new co-CEOs highlight what’s ahead for the company (see Digital)
Music publishers sued by X in growing licensing battle (see News)
Call on EU to clamp down on unauthorised ticket reselling (see News)
Lucian Grainge outlines UMG's 2026 plans in staff memo (see News)
Skye Newman wins Radio 1's Sound of 2026 (see News)
Spotify now lets you share what you’re streaming in real time with friends (see Digital)
Streamed and retail entertainment sales grew four times faster than UK economy in 2025 (see News)
UMG announces collaboration with NVIDIA to pioneer responsible AI for music discovery, creation, and engagement (see News)
2026 music industry predictions (see Features)
New wave of global British breakthrough talent helps UK recorded music grow for 11th consecutive year (see News)