Jamie Cullum’s track The Age Of Anxiety has earned the triple platinum-selling musician his first Ivor Novello award. Plucked from his latest album Taller, released via Island Records, the emotive ballad won Best Song Musically and Lyrically at this year’s virtual awards ceremony, and was hailed by judges as being "beautifully emotive with an exceptionally crafted melody".
Brimming with pertinent reflections on immigration, self-worth, Brexit and social media, Cullum said he was “so proud and happy” to pick up the prestigious award. Jamie continues, “I’ve been plugging away at this for some time now and I wasn’t always taken seriously as a songwriter, so to receive this now at this point in my career for this song, which I fiercely believe in this song, feels particularly special.”
“I pulled every bit of geekery and knowledge and love for song writing that I’ve built up over the years into this one song, and I’m really glad it resonated with people and that it resonated with you Ivors Academy, so thank you. Thank you to my wife who encouraged me to a much greater sense of authenticity. To my managers, Mark and Jenny, for believing in me and for always being there. To Island Records, you’re great, and thank you again Ivors Academy for this incredible honour.’
With a career spanning over two decades plus 10m album sales to his name, there is much more still to come from the multi-instrumentalist, who is also a judge for this year’s Mercury Prize. Speaking about Jamie’s achievement, president of Island Records Louis Bloom says, “So well deserved, we are absolutely delighted for him! A perfect way to mark the end of what has been a brilliant campaign. It has been a joy for all of us at Island and we can’t wait for the next album rollout!”
