Rising Star Lola Young Leads Ivor Novello Awards with Triple Nomination

Mia Reynolds, 4/24/2025Lola Young shines at the Ivor Novello Awards with three nominations, including Rising Star. Her impactful song "Messy" and album "This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway" showcase her raw songwriting talent, amidst a diverse lineup of British music innovation.

Young's raw, unfiltered approach to songwriting has earned her an impressive three nominations, including what might be the night's most coveted trophy: the rising star award. Her brutally honest hit "Messy" (you know the one — it's been practically unavoidable on radio since last autumn) snagged a nomination for best song musically and lyrically, while her album "This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway" is up for best album.

The thing about "Messy" that really gets under your skin? That chorus. "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." It's the kind of lyrical gut-punch that makes you pause mid-coffee sip and actually listen. No wonder it's racked up north of 500 million Spotify streams.

Don't let anyone tell you this is some overnight success story, though. Young's been grinding away in London's music scene since 2018, catching the ear of some pretty impressive industry veterans along the way. Nick Shymansky (yeah, the same guy who managed Amy Winehouse) and Nick Huggett (who first spotted Adele) both saw something special in her early on.

The rest of the nominations list reads like a who's who of British musical innovation — and what a year it's been. Charli XCX's "Brat" spawned an entire cultural movement (remember last summer when everyone was suddenly "living their brat era"?). Meanwhile, compelling offerings from Berwyn, Jordan Rakei, and Ghetts prove British music isn't staying in any one lane.

Here's a bit of sweet irony: Wham!'s "Last Christmas" is up for most performed work. Twenty-one years after George Michael's last nomination in the category, the holiday earworm that refuses to die is competing against Harry Styles' "As It Was" (third time's the charm?) and Dua Lipa's "Houdini."

The best song category this year? Pure gold. Laura Marling's heartbreaking "Child of Mine" sits alongside Raye's "Genesis," while Fontaines DC brings their post-punk poetry with "In the Modern World." Throw in Young's "Messy" and Orla Gartland's "Mine," and you've got yourself quite the musical feast.

Tom Gray, who chairs The Ivors Academy, wasn't wrong when he called these awards "the most joyful celebration of music making in the calendar." With 74 composers and songwriters nominated — and get this, two-thirds of them first-timers — it's clear British and Irish music is in the midst of something special.

Mark your calendars for May 22nd, when London's Grosvenor House will host what's shaping up to be a historic night. U2's induction as the first Irish act in the Academy Fellowship puts them in some pretty decent company — think Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Kate Bush, and The Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen.

As the Ivors hit the big 7-0, they're proving that great music writing knows no age — or genre, for that matter. In an industry that's constantly shape-shifting, these awards remain a steady reminder that genuine artistry will always find its audience. Sometimes it just needs a little help from a certain prestigious ceremony to shine even brighter.

British music's biggest night of recognition just got a whole lot more interesting. The 70th Ivor Novello Awards have thrown their spotlight on East London's Lola Young — and honestly, it couldn't have happened to a more deserving artist at a more perfect moment.Young's raw, unfiltered approach to songwriting has earned her an impressive three nominations, including what might be the night's most coveted trophy: the rising star award. Her brutally honest hit "Messy" (you know the one — it's been practically unavoidable on radio since last autumn) snagged a nomination for best song musically and lyrically, while her album "This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway" is up for best album.The thing about "Messy" that really gets under your skin? That chorus. "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." It's the kind of lyrical gut-punch that makes you pause mid-coffee sip and actually listen. No wonder it's racked up north of 500 million Spotify streams.Don't let anyone tell you this is some overnight success story, though. Young's been grinding away in London's music scene since 2018, catching the ear of some pretty impressive industry veterans along the way. Nick Shymansky (yeah, the same guy who managed Amy Winehouse) and Nick Huggett (who first spotted Adele) both saw something special in her early on.The rest of the nominations list reads like a who's who of British musical innovation — and what a year it's been. Charli XCX's "Brat" spawned an entire cultural movement (remember last summer when everyone was suddenly "living their brat era"?). Meanwhile, compelling offerings from Berwyn, Jordan Rakei, and Ghetts prove British music isn't staying in any one lane.Here's a bit of sweet irony: Wham!'s "Last Christmas" is up for most performed work. Twenty-one years after George Michael's last nomination in the category, the holiday earworm that refuses to die is competing against Harry Styles' "As It Was" (third time's the charm?) and Dua Lipa's "Houdini."The best song category this year? Pure gold. Laura Marling's heartbreaking "Child of Mine" sits alongside Raye's "Genesis," while Fontaines DC brings their post-punk poetry with "In the Modern World." Throw in Young's "Messy" and Orla Gartland's "Mine," and you've got yourself quite the musical feast.Tom Gray, who chairs The Ivors Academy, wasn't wrong when he called these awards "the most joyful celebration of music making in the calendar." With 74 composers and songwriters nominated — and get this, two-thirds of them first-timers — it's clear British and Irish music is in the midst of something special.Mark your calendars for May 22nd, when London's Grosvenor House will host what's shaping up to be a historic night. U2's induction as the first Irish act in the Academy Fellowship puts them in some pretty decent company — think Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Kate Bush, and The Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen.As the Ivors hit the big 7-0, they're proving that great music writing knows no age — or genre, for that matter. In an industry that's constantly shape-shifting, these awards remain a steady reminder that genuine artistry will always find its audience. Sometimes it just needs a little help from a certain prestigious ceremony to shine even brighter.