Best of British and Irish songwriting celebrated in Ivor Novello nominees
Yussef Dayes and Sampha both lead the nominations for this year’s Ivor Novello Awards after they have both been nominated individually for their most recent albums, as well as together for co-writing the Sampha song ‘Spirit 2.0’.
Also with two nominations, Daniel Pemberton has been recognised for his scoring work in the film Spider-Man's Across the Spider-Verse and the third season of TV series 'Slow Horses' which he composed with Toydrum.
Unlike other music awards, the Ivor Novellos are particularly focused on songwriting and composition, with lyrics and craft championed above all else.
First started in 1955, the Ivors have recognised the talent of some of the UK and Ireland’s greatest musicians, from the Beatles in the 60s through to Amy Winehouse, Stormzy and Adele in more recent years.
Five albums were nominated in the headline Best Album category. Each nomination is credited to the writers of the album in addition to recognising the performer.
It’s a strong line-up. Yussef Dayes’ continued influence as one of the most exciting contemporary jazz musicians and Mercury Prize winner Sampha’s jazz-influenced R&B album are against Lankum’s revolutionary take on folk classics, with the impeccable alternative pop of Irish musician CMAT and RAYE’s headline-grabbing independently released album providing stiff competition.
Over in Best Contemporary song, Jungle have been recognised for their song ‘Back on 74’ while US and South African artists Mette and Tyla, respectively have been recognised for their tracks’ British writing teams.
One of the most prestigious awards within the Ivor Novellos is the Best Song Musically and Lyrically Category. For this award, Tom Odell, Victoria Canal, Sampha, the Japanese House and Blur have all been nominated.
The full nominees are:
Best Album
Yussef Dayes’s ‘Black Classical Music’, written by Yussef Dayes, Rocco Palladino and Charlie Stacey
CMAT’s ‘Crazymad, for Me’, written by her.
Lankum ‘False Lankum’ written by bandmembers Daragh and Ian Lynch, Cormac MacDiarmada and Radie Peat
Sampha’s ‘Lahai’, written by him.
Raye’s ‘My 21st Century Blues’, written by her and Mike Sabath
Best Contemporary Song
Jungle’s ‘Back on 74’, written by Lydia Kitto, J Lloyd and Tom McFarland
Fred Again & Brian Eno’s ‘Enough’, written by Brian Eno, Fred Gibson, Buddy Ross and Winnie Raeder
Speakers Corner Quartet's ‘Geronimo Blues (ft Kae Tempest)’, written by Kwake Bass, Peter Bennie, Biscuit, Raven Bush and Kae Tempest
Mette's ‘Mama’s Eyes’, written by Todd Dulaney, Ines Dunn, Barney Lister and Mette
Tyla's ‘Water’, written by Imani “Mocha” Lewis, Corey Lindsay-Keay, Jackson Lomastro, Ari PenSmith, Rayo, Sammy Soso and Olmo Zucca
Best Original Film Score
Poor Things, by Jerskin Fendrix
Spider-Man's Across the Spider-Verse, by Daniel Pemberton
Typist Artist Pirate King, by Carly Paradis
Best Original Video Game Score
‘Call of Duty's Modern Warfare III’, by Walter Mair
‘Star Wars Jedi's Survivor’, by Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab
‘Tin Hearts’, by Matthew Chastney
Best Song Musically and Lyrically
Tom Odell's ‘Black Friday’, written by Laurie Blundell, Max Clilverd and Tom Odell
Victoria Canal's ‘Black Swan’, written by Victoria Canal, Jonny Lattimer and Eg White
Sampha's ‘Spirit 2.0’, written by Yussef Dayes and Sampha
The Japanese House's ‘Sunshine Baby’, written by Amber Bain
Blur's ‘The Narcissist’, written by Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree
Best Television Soundtrack
‘Boat Story’, by Dominik Scherrer
‘Slow Horses’, by Daniel Pemberton and Toydrum
‘The Crown’, by Martin Phipps
‘The Following Events Are Based On a Pack Of Lies’, by Arthur Sharpe
‘Three Little Birds’, by Benjamin Kwasi Burrell
PRS For Music Most Performed Work
Harry Styles's ‘As It Was’, written by Kid Harpoon, Tyler Johnson and Harry Styles
PinkPantheress & Ice Spice's ‘Boy’s a Liar Pt 2’, written by Ice Spice, Mura Masa and PinkPantheress
Jazzy's ‘Giving Me’, written by Conor Bissett, Robert Griffiths and Jazzy
Central Cee & Dave's ‘Sprinter’, written by Central Cee, Dave, Jo Caleb and Jonny Leslie
Kenya Grace's ‘Strangers’, written by Kenya Grace
Rising Star Award with Amazon Music
Blair Davie
Chrissi
Elmiene
Master Peace
Nino SLG
This year’s Ivor Novello awards ceremony will be held Grosvenor House in London on 23 May.
