Winners Revealed For The 2025 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition

Ruel, Ninajirachi and Louis Schoorl took home the top prizes for the 2025 Global Songwriting Competition.

After months of listening to thousands of submissions, the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition has revealed the winners of its 2025 contest.

A total prize pool of $80,000 was awarded across 14 songs to songwriters from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Scotland, the Netherlands and the United States. Entry fees for each submission directly support Noro Music Therapy, and the annual competition has raised over $2.5 million since 2009.

More than 4,000 entries from 52 countries were listened to and judged anonymously from an impressive panel of 70+ global industry experts in the songwriting, publishing, A&R, artist management, labels and music media fields.

Taking home the $50,000 first prize this year, with thanks to APRA AMCOS, Alberts and Sony Music Publishing, was Ruel for his song The Suburbs.

The song was written by the Australian artist alongside Mark Landon (M-Phazes) (AUS/USA), Elias Danielson (USA), Chelsea Lena (USA) and Fran Hall (USA), with production by M-Phazes and Elias Danielson.

According to a statement, The Suburbs was recognised by the judging panel “for its emotional clarity, melodic strength and contemporary songwriting craft.”

Reacting to the win, Ruel said, “It’s a huge honour to be involved with V&Y and to be able to contribute to the ongoing work of Noro Music Therapy. Being a part of this fundraising means a great deal, and on top of that, being chosen for this prize by such a respected panel of industry professionals is a massive privilege. Thank you so much!”

Ninajirachi won the $10,000 second prize, with thanks to Banki Haddock Fiora, for her song iPod Touch, while Louis Schoorl took home the $5,000 third prize, with thanks to the Volume Foundation, for the track Zombie.

“Darcy [Baylis] and I wrote iPod Touch in mid 2024, and it was the hardest song on my album to finish,” Ninajirachi said. “I never thought it would have become the most popular one. It's about stumbling upon my favourite music online when I was 12 and spending late nights on the computer trying to soak up everything I could about it. I didn't realise how much a random discovery would change my life. Thank you, GSC, for shortlisting my song!! Stoked to be supporting Noro too.”

Jude York was named Emerging Australasian Songwriter – a $5,000 prize with thanks to AMPAL – Australasian Music Publishers’ Association Limited, for the song Almost Me, Almost You, co-written with Sarah Aarons (AUS/USA) and produced by Giorgio Tuinfort (NLD).

“To be recognised by the Vanda & Young Song Competition is truly the greatest honour as a songwriter,” York said. “Music has always been ‘therapy’ to me, so raising funds for Noro Music Therapy to continue their incredible work fills me with so much hope… I couldn’t be more grateful to be joining the prestigious cohort of Vanda & Young songwriters.”

Multiple artists and their co-writers won the Emerging Global Songwriters Awards, taking home $1,000 each thanks to Merrick Property Group, Complete Law Pty Ltd, GLOW Music and anonymous donors. The ten songs are:

Charley – Man On The Moon

Songwriters: Claire Howell (AUS), Ned Houston (AUS), Harry Charles (NZ)

Oliver Cronin – Closure

Songwriters: Oliver Cronin (AUS), Jake Jepson (AUS), Rory Noble (NZ)

Mathilde Anne – Cigarettes and Anxious Sex

Songwriters: Mathilde Lambert (AUS), Charlie Pitman (AUS/UK), Ethan Reginato (AUS)

Carla Wehbe – Broke Your Heart

Songwriters: Carla Wehbe (AUS), Tom Eggert (AUS)

Marlhy – paint dry (I'M FINE)

Songwriters: Marlhy Murphy (USA), Kella Armitage (USA), Michael Kamerman (USA)

CYRUS – At The End Of The Day

Songwriter: Cyrus Villanueva (AUS)