Lola Young, the talented singer hailing from South London, has captured the hearts of many with her hit song "Messy," which recently soared to number one in the UK charts after an impressive two-month climb. As the youngest British artist to achieve a UK number one since Dave in 2022, and the youngest British woman to claim this spot since Dua Lipa in 2017, Young is establishing herself as a significant force in the music industry. Her breakthrough coincides with the flourishing Charli's Brat ethos, marking a new era in British pop music.
"Messy," featured on her second album "This Wasn't Meant For You Anyway," released last May, became ubiquitous towards the end of 2024. Its ascent to the top of the charts was completed last Friday. Young’s success comes on the heels of her nomination for a Brit Award for Best Pop Act, solidifying her status as a rising star.
The journey to the top has been both exhilarating and demanding for Young. Just before her interview, she was running a few minutes late to finish getting her dental jewelry accessories fitted, a testament to her busy schedule. The night before, she made her US television debut on Jimmy Fallon's talk show, introducing her authentic and relatable sound to a broader audience.
"Pretty real. As real as it gets, to be honest," – Lola Young
Young's music resonates deeply with her audience due to its authenticity. She draws inspiration from her personal experiences, and this sincerity is at the core of her artistic identity.
"I just write from my own experience and they're very real. They're all the things that I've been through, all situations I've had, and all experiences I've had." – Lola Young
"I don't think about it. Music is the only place I can be dead honest," – Lola Young
Her ability to blend vulnerability with strength aligns her with iconic British artists like Amy Winehouse and Adele, known for their emotive storytelling and vocal prowess.
"But I feel like that's my outlet, the place I can be the most honest. I never really think about it. It doesn't feel like a difficult thing to do, or something that feels like I'm baring my soul or anything. It's just I've always done that in my music." – Lola Young
As she prepares for an upcoming sold-out European tour, Young reflects on the positive reception of "Messy" and its significance in her career.
"The response has been amazing and it's been really exciting to see all the love that Messy has been receiving," – Lola Young
"I love the song, it's a song I wrote that's really personal and really important to me. So I'm really happy that it's resonating so much." – Lola Young
Her album, praised by the Observer for its blend of zingers and vulnerability, showcases Young’s ability to tackle a range of emotions and themes through her music.
"There's quite a lot more to say. There's a lot of other topics and things that have happened to me, and things that I've gone through that I want to discuss with people." – Lola Young
Young is not content to rest on her laurels; she aims to explore new themes beyond love in her future work.
"But also things that are a little bit less about love, and about other things that I've gone through." – Lola Young
Her recent collaboration on Tyler, the Creator’s album "Chromakopia" further demonstrates her versatility and willingness to experiment with different musical styles.
Young also resonates with Charli's Brat ethos, an empowering movement emphasizing individuality and celebration.
"I massively do, and I think it's that thing of empowered women who like to party and be themselves, and that's really important to me," – Lola Young
She approaches this ethos from a unique angle, blending carefree confidence with sincere emotional depth.
"I guess I come from a different angle – of a less heightened version of that, I guess. It would be more like, 'I don't really give a [care], but I also really do'. That's what I guess I stand by a little bit more." – Lola Young
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