Digital Cover: Lola Young Marches to the Beat of Her Own Drum

Lola strides onto the stage like a hurricane in a mini skirt, a lioness with a microphone in her hand, ready to roar. At just 23 years old, the south London native has already carved out a space for herself in the music industry, with a voice that’s both hauntingly husky and defiantly soulful. It’s the kind of voice that catches you off guard, drawing you into her world of raw emotion, biting wit, and melodies that stick in your head long after the last note has faded. But make no mistake, there’s nothing juvenile about Lola Young, despite what her surname might suggest. 

Her latest track, ‘Flicker of Light’, is a perfect embodiment of the chaos and confusion that defines Lola’s unique sound. It’s glitchy, edgy, and pulsating with the kind of frenetic energy that mirrors the wild ride of being in your twenties—a time that, as Lola puts it, is “honestly so confusing. It’s so hard.” But behind the catchy beats and electrifying production lies a deeper narrative about Depression. 

“’Flicker of Light’ is about me being in a low place in my life and throwing some shit out,” she says, her voice both matter-of-fact and laden with the weight of her words. “But it’s also about remembering there’s always hope. There’s always something to look forward to, to be alive for.” It’s this ability to capture both the darkness and the glimmer of hope that makes Lola’s music resonate so powerfully with her fans, both in her eccentrically renowned live performances, and revered TikToks. 

Lola’s journey into music – and indeed pop music – isn’t your typical tale of a makeshift hairbrush microphone kid doting on the Sugababes. Her childhood interest in music was steeped in the eclectic sounds of her parents’ car stereo CD collection, a mishmash of Black Eyed Peas and Joni Mitchell, consecutively inspiring pounding energy and artful lyricism, echoes of which seep through into her music today. “I wrote my very first song when I was nine, a little Christmas song on the piano,” she laughs. “I remember thinking, ‘God, I can write a fucking song? This is lit.’” From those early beginnings, Lola’s love for music was ready to burst, with a foundational love of legends. “I had a pretty good grounding in music, I used to look for stuff I liked constantly: Prince, Michael Jackson, D’Angelo, Erykah Badu were my favourites.” Her musical obsessions and raw talent were nurtured by her time at the prestigious BRIT School, a place that aided her individuality. “It was amazing being with such a diverse group of people with such a vast interest in the arts at such a young age.” 

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Lola’s career has seen a dramatic evolution on from the household name who covered ‘Together in Electric Dreams’ for the John Lewis Christmas ad back in 2021. She has since become a fiercely independent artist who commands stages with a primal energy. The transition hasn’t always been easy, but it’s one that Lola embraces with open arms. “I’ve worked so hard to be where I’m at and knowing that I’ve got a way to go but recognising where I’m at is a great place,” she says with a self-assuredness that belies her age. 

Lola’s live performances are where she really brings her a-game. Part gig, part theatrical experience, anyone who has witnessed the spectacle has seen how in awe the audience are of her expressive confidence. Whether she’s belting out a gut-wrenching ballad or dancing like nobody’s watching, there’s a magnetic quality to that’s impossible to ignore. “I love performing, it’s cathartic,” she explains. “It’s a release, and I get to connect with people in a way that’s really special.” 

Her on-stage charisma is matched by a brash, no-nonsense attitude that’s as refreshing as it is intimidating. “I get called a diva a lot if I want something to happen if I want to change something,” Lola admits, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice. “Don’t call me a diva just because I want something to fucking happen.” But this all lies in the insipid misogyny of the music industry, something Lola shows no qualms calling bullshit on, “I’m a feminist, and I believe that women should be empowered and respected in this industry. “I’m just doing what I need to do, and that kind of labelling is something I don’t see happening to men in the industry, and it is really frustrating”. 

Lola’s honesty isn’t confined to her music, though. It permeates through every aspect of her life, from her thoughts on social media to her experiences as a woman in the music industry. “No artist wants to be on TikTok,” she laughs, “but at this point, you have to utilise the platform in the way that you can. I never used to like it, but I found my rhythm, and I enjoy it now.” It’s this adaptability and willingness to embrace change that has supported Lola through her career, with a social media presence that retains its authenticity. 

Lola is a storyteller, one who builds songs from the depths of her experiences; they’re as personal as they are universal. Dropping jaws with scream-inducing lyrics like, “’Cause I’m too messy and then I’m too fucking clean, You told me get a job then you ask where the hell I’ve been, And I’m too perfect ’til I open my big mouth,” (‘Messy’), she balances this with an emotional cadence and sincerity that’s hard to come by.  “A lot of my inspiration comes from difficulties with mental health, relationships, anything,” she explains. “I love writing about whatever comes, and inspiration can just hit you anywhere.” This spontaneity and openness are what give Lola’s music its edge, its authenticity, and its undeniable appeal. 

As she gears up for her upcoming UK, Europe, and North America headline tour, Lola shows no signs of slowing down. Her latest album, This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway, is a testament to her growth as an artist, crackling with kinetic energy and brimming with the kind of lyrical flair that has become her trademark. Tracks like ‘Good Books’ and ‘Messy’ showcase her ability to blend genres and push boundaries, while the tender ‘You Noticed’ reveals a softer, more introspective side to the south London powerhouse. The album has been a different experience to writing her debut, My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely: “I think I trust my creative decisions more and believe in myself more sonically-just building up confidence,” she says tousling her mullet, “It’s that pre-frontal lobe kicking in.” she adds. 

But for all her success, Lola remains grounded, always looking ahead to the next challenge, the next opportunity to evolve. “I think right now my aims are to write a new album, go on tour, and maybe after all that go on holiday,” she says, and she’s in good stead to score a hat trick on them. Lola Young is more than just a flicker of light—she’s a blazing, unstoppable force, and she’s only just getting started.