Ruel is the winner of the 2025 Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition, snagging the lucrative contest for his release “The Suburbs.”
Written by the Australian singer and songwriter (full name: Ruel Vincent Van Dijk) alongside Mark Landon (M-Phazes), Elias Danielson, Chelsea Lena and Fran Hall, and produced by M-Phazes and Danielson, “The Suburbs” was recognized for its “emotional clarity, melodic strength and contemporary songwriting craft,” reads a statement from the award organizers.
With the victory spoils, Ruel collects A$50,000 ($33,700) courtesy of APRA AMCOS, Alberts and Sony Music Publishing.
Ruel broke through in 2018 when he won the ARIA Award for breakthrough artist of the year (now the Michael Gudinski breakthrough artist) with “Dazed & Confused.” He was just 16 at the time, making him the youngest artist to win an ARIA.
The following year, he cracked the history books again as the youngest artist to sell out the Sydney Opera House’s Concert Hall, twice. He has gone on to amass over three billion streams, sold out multiple tours and regularly attends fashion shows at the invitation of luxury haute couture such as Louis Vuitton and Hermès.
Ninajirachi (real name: Nina Wilson) adds to her heaving collection of awards by taking out second prize for “iPod Touch,” co-written and co-produced with Darcy Baylis.
With her Vanda & Young honor, Ninajirachi earns A$10,000 ($6,700) thanks to Banki Haddock Fiora. The rising EDM star had a year to remember in 2025, during which she collected multiple ARIA Awards, J Awards, the Australian Music Prize and the NSW Music Prize for breakthrough artist, all off the back of her debut album, I Love My Computer.
Third prize goes to Louis Schoorl for “Zombie,” performed and co-written by Lewis Fitzgerald and co-written and co-produced by Danny Shah. “Zombie” is recognized for its songwriting structure, emotional weight and clean production, a statement reads. The A$5,000 ($3,360) winner’s check is presented by Volume Foundation.
The emerging Australasian songwriter category was awarded to Jude York for “Almost Me, Almost You,” co-written with Sarah Aarons and produced by Giorgio Tuinfort. York receives A$5,000, courtesy of the Australasian Music Publishers’ Association Limited (AMPAL) for a song that will be released in the coming weeks via Spinnin’ Records.
Named after the iconic songwriters and founding members of The Easybeats, Harry Vanda and the late George Young, the contest recognizes outstanding songwriting talent from around the world and this year awards a total prize pool of A$80,000 ($53,900) across 14 songs.
The comp is a fundraiser for Noro Music Therapy, with entry fees raising over A$2.5 million since 2009 to fund life-changing music therapy services. This year’s competition received upwards of 4,000 entries from 52 countries, organizers say.
Also, 10 additional songwriters were feted with emerging global songwriter awards, including Oliver Cronin, Carla Wehbe and Bri Clark. Each artist receives A$1,000 ($674), courtesy of Merrick Property Group, Complete Law Pty Ltd, GLOW Music and anonymous donors.
The 2025 judging panel featured artists, producers, media and music industry professionals including reps from Live Nation, AEG Presents, Spotify, ARIA, YouTube, Universal Music and Billboard. Read more here.
