Tears For Fears stars Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith were honoured with the Outstanding Song Collection Award at the 2021 Ivor Novello Awards. 

The duo were among the big winners at the prestigious songwriting and composition ceremony on Tuesday, where they were recognised for their 40 years in music. 

Speaking to reporters, the pair reflected on their enduring creativity, and confirmed they’ve completed work on a new studio album – their first in 17 years. 

“The pandemic itself has spawned a massive amount of creativity because we’ve all been locked up,” said Orzabal, via Sky News.

“We’ve been working on [the latest] album for seven years, but we finished it during lockdown because we had the space and felt the need, you know, so in that sense I think it’ll have spurred more creativity.

“And also, I think during a pandemic, especially during lockdown, you realise what’s kind of valuable to you and I think that will spur more songwriting and more creativity as well.”

Elsewhere at the Ivors, electronic duo Goldfrapp, starring Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, took home the Ivors Inspiration Award, while while former songwriting partners Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora picked up the Special International Award. 

Harry Styles was a first-time winner; the former One Direction star and his writing partner, Kid Harpoon, picked up the Most Performed Work honour for Adore You

Nigerian musician Obongjayar and British singer/songwriter Lianne La Havas also landed their first prizes, with Best Song Musically and Lyrically and Best Album, respectively.

The full list of 2021 Ivor Novello Awards winners is:

Best Album:
Lianne La Havas – Lianne La Havas

Best Contemporary Song:
Future Utopia feat. Dave & Es Devlin – Children of the Internet

Best Original Film Score:
Blanck Mass – Calm With Horses

Best Original Video Game Score:
Gareth Coker – Ori and the Will of the Wasps

Best Song Musically and Lyrically: 
Obongjayar – God’s Own Children

Best Television Soundtrack:
Geoff Barrow, Ben Salisbury and The Insects – Devs

Most Performed Work 
Harry Styles – Adore You

Songwriter of the Year:
Celeste & Jamie Hartman

Rising Star Award with Apple Music:
Willow Kayne 

Special International Award with Apple Music:
Jon Bon Jovi & Richie Sambora 

Outstanding Song Collection:
Roland Orzabal & Curt Smith (Tears for Fears)

Ivors Inspiration Award:
Alison Goldfrapp & Will Gregory