71st Annual Ivor Novello Awards Nominees Announced

The 71st annual Ivor Novello Awards, set to take place on May 21, 2026, in London, has revealed its list of nominees, highlighting the achievements of songwriters and composers. Among the top nominees are Olivia Dean, Lola Young, Lily Allen, Coldplay, CMAT, and Florence + the Machine. The awards, which have been recognizing excellence in music since 1956, are peer-judged and celebrate the craft, originality, and cultural impact of songs and screen compositions.

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This year, 61 British, Irish, or UK-resident songwriters and composers, along with their international collaborators, have received nominations. Notably, 34 of these nominees are first-time contenders for the Ivor Novello Award. Olivia Dean, Wolf Alice’s Ellie Rowsell, Jacob Alon, Self Esteem, and Kae Tempest each received two nominations. Little Simz, recognized for her song “Free,” is nominated for the fifth time, while Lola Young's hit “Messy” has earned her a fourth nomination. Coldplay's enduring classic “Viva La Vida” continues to receive accolades, reflecting its global impact.

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The nominees span various categories, including Best Album, Best Contemporary Song, and Best Song Musically and Lyrically. Key nominations include:

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• Best Album:

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• "Black British Music" by Jim Legxacy and Joe Stanley

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• "Euro Country" by CMAT

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• "The Art of Loving" by Olivia Dean

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• Best Contemporary Song:

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• "Damascus" by Damon Albarn featuring Yasiin Bey and Omar Souleyman

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• "Free" by Little Simz

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• "I Do and I Don’t Care" by Self Esteem

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• Best Song Musically and Lyrically:

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• "Everybody Scream" by Florence + the Machine

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• "Don’t Fall Asleep" by Jacob Alon

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Roberto Neri, Chief Executive of the Ivors Academy, expressed his congratulations to the nominees, emphasizing the strength and diversity of British and Irish songwriting. Tom Gray, Academy chair, highlighted the significance of being recognized by peers for exceptional craft and originality, noting the honor it represents in music writing.

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While the Ivor Novello Awards celebrate a wide array of musical talent, some critics argue that the awards could do more to include underrepresented genres and artists, ensuring a broader representation of the music landscape.

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• “Congratulations to all the songwriters and composers nominated for this year’s Ivor Novello Awards. To be recognized by your peers for exceptional craft and originality at The Ivors is one of the greatest honours in music writing, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements at The Ivors with Amazon Music on 21 May.” — Tom Gray, Academy Chair

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• “Roberto Neri, Chief Executive of the Ivors Academy, said: “I want to congratulate these incredible nominees, whose work reflects the strength, diversity and global influence of British and Irish songwriting, which we are honoured to celebrate.” — Roberto Neri, Chief Executive of the Ivors Academy

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The Ivor Novello Awards continue to serve as a prestigious platform for recognizing the contributions of songwriters and composers, celebrating their impact on the music industry and culture at large.

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