By Renee O’Connor, Opinion Editor
Her name may not ring a bell, but I guarantee her music does. Lola Young’s song “Messy” went viral on TikTok and was on top of the Billboard Hot 100s for weeks. However, she has other songs, too. Her new album “I’m Only F— Myself” is one of my favorite albums to drop this year.
Watching Lola Young perform “Messy” and even hearing her vocals on the track, it’s very apparent she is incredibly talented. The way she is able to effortlessly belt her songs live and in the album is astonishing. Lola is brimming with talent.
On this album, “I’m Only F— Myself,” she is also credited as the main writer for her songs. So not only is she incredibly vocally gifted, she is also a lyric powerhouse.
Let’s talk about my favorite tracks on the album and ones I recommend everyone listen to. Songs like “SPIDERS,” “Penny Out of Nothing,” “Post Sex Clarity,” “CAN WE IGNORE IT? :(,” “why do i feel better when i hurt you?” and “who f— cares?” are some of my favorite hard-hitting tracks.
Showcasing her incredible lyricism, in her song “Penny Out of Nothing,” she writes, “Create a penny out of nothing/take the bullet out a gun/ I’ll make a fool out of a man/I’ll make a man fall out of love/I’ll make an atheist forgive/get on his knees and pray to God.” This might be my favorite chorus in the entire album.
These songs are so profoundly raw and emotional, topped with a rock-indie-esque beat. Her lyrics take the cake, but it’s the pure emotion and her powerful voice that truly make the songs.
Lola Young’s more fun or less intense songs are just as powerful. Songs like “d£aler,” “Walk All Over You” and “SAD SOB STORY! :)” have a more upbeat tempo, but still have hard-hitting lyrics and meaning.
“d£aler” is a song where she opens up about her addiction, depression and relationship with her drug dealer. The lyrics are funny, but the meaning is clear. It’s direct.
The most fun songs on the album include “One Thing,” “Not Like That Anymore,” and the first track on the album. These are all fun, upbeat songs that really uplift your mood. The lyrics are simple and the beat is fun.
Spotify describes Lola as a pop artist, but I couldn’t disagree more. As an avid music lover and analyzer, I have no idea what genre she could be classified under. She uses elements of rock, pop, indie and alternative genres to create a unique and distinct sound.
Lola Young currently has 33.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify. While I wouldn’t classify her as a small artist, she is nowhere near the size of other artists at the moment. I truly believe this will change within the next few years.
I expect to hear more of her songs on the radio and maybe even headlining big music festivals in the future. Her talent is undeniable and this album is one of the examples of it. I truly believe we will see her face everywhere.
Note: The spelling, capitalization and use of symbols in the titles of the songs are the artist’s.
