Spotlight: The Rise of Lola Young

Lola Young performing in 2025. Image Source: Jamsterdodger on Wikimedia Commons

English singer Lola Young has been receiving much-deserved attention for the past year, and is currently making a brilliant first impression this festival season. The 24-year-old singer has been releasing music since 2019, but it was not until last year when she shot into the limelight. Many people will know her famous hit ‘Messy’, which stormed through TikTok as a viral sensation, and earned a comfortable seat on many people’s playlists ever since. It topped the UK Singles Chart, and all of this widespread attention earned her a BRIT award nomination as Best Pop Act in 2025. She had previously been nominated for Rising Star in 2021. That nomination could not have been more accurate.

The singer grew up in London, and even attended the BRIT school in Croydon. Her mother encouraged her to utilise her musical gifts, and her stepfather supported as a bass player himself. Her musical career had a couple of ‘pinch me’ moments, as she appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden, and covered the song ‘Together in Electric Dreams’ for the coveted John Lewis Christmas advert in 2021. 

However, ‘Messy’ was her big break. It really spoke to audiences, myself included, who saw themselves in the raw, misunderstood and unfair lyrics that Young delivered. It, fittingly, was not clean or delicate, it felt authentic to her, and hit us exactly where it needed to. It was refreshing to see Young embrace her outspoken, abrasive nature rather than hide it to be boxed into the aloof, overtly feminine singer that would not have allowed her to reach her audience. Her ability to be unapologetic, bold and brazen is her greatest strength. For me, I also really appreciate that she does not lose her South London accent in her singing, showing pride from where she comes from, and a refusal to compromise to mainstream sonic standards.

You can see this on stage, too. The artist refuses to pretend to be anything but herself, and invites the audience to do the same. Notably, at her Capital Summertime Ball set this year, she endured auditory malfunctions during the most important track ‘Messy’. Rather than ignore it, she utilised it her advantage, likening it to the meaning of the song itself, before showcasing some astonishing vocal belts.

Also, Young’s discography is, thankfully, vast. It is not the case of her having one huge hit and not much else. The artist has released multiple EPs and a plethora of singles which show off her range and characterise her irreplaceable identity. A few of my favourites include the new release ‘One Thing’, last year’s ‘Big Brown Eyes’ and her feature on Tyler, The Creator’s CHROMAKOPIA titled ‘Like Him’. I just really admire her confidence, humour and self-awareness. It is mature in such a simplistic way, I understand her so clearly without over-analysing her lexical decisions.

She refuses to slow down, either. Her new album, which is titled I’m Only F**king Myself comes out on 19 September. With a total of fourteen songs, this promises to be her longest project to date. I am excited to see what she gives us, and especially how it will be received. I hope she continues to represent the strength of young UK artists as she has been doing so well up to now.