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The Guardian

Lola Young, breakthrough hitmaker with Messy, tops Ivor Novello songwriting nominations

Singer-songwriter Lola Young tops the nominations for the 2025 Ivor Novello awards, which recognise the best in British and Irish songwriting and composition for the screen. She receives three nominations in her first year of recognition by the Ivors Academy: best album for This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway, best song musically and lyrically for Messy, and the rising star award. The Brit School alumna released Messy in May 2024, but after going viral on TikTok it eventually reached No 1 in January, spending four weeks at the top. Messy also topped charts in Australia, Ireland and beyond and peaked at number 14 in the US. It has been streamed more than 500m times on Spotify, with listeners drawn to Young's frank assessment of her own failings, and her compelling (and quite sweary) tale of a toxic relationship: 'And I'm too perfect 'til I show you that I'm not / A thousand people I could be for you and you hate the fucking lot,' the chorus concludes. Despite the east Londoner's seemingly overnight success, she has been in the UK music scene for years, performing gigs around the capital since around 2018. Her soulful sound caught the attention of Nick Shymansky, Amy Winehouse's former manager, and Nick Huggett, who first signed Adele – the two became her managers. Her cover of Together in Electric Dreams was featured in the 2021 John Lewis Christmas advert, and she also featured on Tyler, The Creator's 2024 Chromakopia album. Young's collaborator Conor Dickinson earns two nominations for his contributions to her work. Also nominated for best song musically and lyrically is Orla Gartland with her first nomination at the awards (for Mine), Laura Marling (Child of Mine), Fontaines DC (In the Modern World) and Raye, last year's winner of songwriter of the year (Genesis). Up for best album this year alongside Young is Charli xcx for her cultural phenomenon album Brat, which reached No 1 in the UK, Australia and Ireland and No 3 in the US. It dominated summer 2024, leading to the trend of 'Brat Summer' and a viral dance craze to its song Apple. Other best album nominees are Berwyn (for Who Am I), Jordan Rakei (The Loop) and Ghetts (On Purpose, With Purpose), the latter also nominated in the best contemporary song category for that album's Sampha collaboration, Double Standards. Rap is well represented in that category, with Pa Salieu and Bashy joining Ghetts, plus singer-songwriter Sans Soucis and pop star Jade, who won the Brit award for pop act at 2025's awards. Nominees for most performed work, acknowledging commercial success, are Harry Styles (As It Was, which won two years ago and is in its third year of nomination), Dua Lipa (Houdini), Cassö, Raye & D-Block Europe (Prada), Myles Smith (Stargazing) and Wham! (Last Christmas) – 21 years after George Michael was last nominated in that category. Music from The Substance, Kneecap, Rivals and The Casting of Frank Stone has been acknowledged in the film, TV and video game categories. The awards are celebrating their 70th year on 22 May at Grosvenor House in London. Best albumCharli xcx – Brat (written by Charli xcx, AG Cook and Finn Keane) Ghetts – On Purpose, With Purpose (written by Ghetts and TenBillion Dreams) Jordan Rakei – The Loop (written by Jordan Rakei) Lola Young – This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway (written by William Brown, Conor Dickinson, Jared Solomon and Lola Young) Berwyn – Who Am I (written by Berwyn) Best contemporary songPa Salieu – Allergy (written by Felix Joseph, Alastair O'Donnell and Pa Salieu) Jade – Angel of My Dreams (written by Pablo Bowman, Jade, Steph Jones and Mike Sabath) Sans Soucis – Circumnavigating Georgia (written by Sans Soucis) Ghetts – Double Standards (ft Sampha) (written by Ghetts, Emil, Sampha Sisay and R-Kay) Bashy – How Black Men Lose Their Smile, written by Bashy, Toddla T and Linton Kwesi Johnson Best song musically and lyricallyLaura Marling – Child of Mine (written by Laura Marling) Raye – Genesis (written by Rodney Jerkins, Raye and Toneworld) Fontaines DC – In the Modern World (written by Grian Chatten, Conor Curley, Conor Deegan, Thomas Coll and Carlos O'Connell) Lola Young – Messy (written by Conor Dickinson and Lola Young) Orla Gartland – Mine (written by Orla Gartland) Most performed workHarry Styles: As It Was (written by Kid Harpoon, Tyler Johnson and Harry Styles) Dua Lipa – Houdini (written by Caroline Ailin, Danny L Harle, Tobias Jesso Jnr, Dua Lipa and Kevin Parker) Wham! – Last Christmas (written by George Michael) Cassö, Raye and D-Block Europe – Prada (written by D-Block Europe, Obi Ebele, Uche Ebele, Jahmori 'Jaymo' Simmons and Raye) Myles Smith: Stargazing (written by Peter Fenn, Jesse Fink and Myles Smith) Rising star awardBea and Her Business Liang Lawrence Lola Young Lulu. Nia Smith Best original film scoreFly Me to the Moon – Daniel Pemberton Hard Truths – Gary Yershon Kneecap – Michael 'Mickey J' Asante The Substance – Raffertie The Zone of Interest – Mica Levi Best original video game scoreEmpire of Ants – Mathieu Alvado and Mark Choi Farewell North – John Konsolakis Flock – Eli Rainsberry Senua's Saga: Hellblade II – David Garcia Diaz The Casting of Frank Stone – Boxed Ape Best television soundtrackBlack Doves – Martin Phipps Mary & George – Oliver Coates Rivals – Jack Halama and Natalie Holt True Detective: Night Country – Vince Pope Until I Kill You – Carly Paradis