Lola Young Is Staying Messy and Unapologetically Herself

Lola Young may give off “no fucks given” energy, but she actually really cares a lot.

The 24-year-old British singer-songwriter, who scored her first No. 1 with her song “Messy,” appreciates this current chapter in her career but is also eagerly awaiting what’s to come. “I’m so gassed to be where I’m at, but I’m just so looking forward to making more music and getting it straight out of there now,” she tells The Hollywood Reporter, noting that she’s especially proud of the music she’s currently working on.

Now, she’s about to perform one of her biggest shows to date, taking the stage at Coachella. She says of performing live for fans, “It’s a very, very, very spiritual and electric feeling, but not one that any other drug or high can give you really, like it’s a natural high.”

Below, Young opens up the whirlwind of the last few months following “Messy” going viral, what fans can expect from her Coachella set, her favorite part about creating music, why it’s important to share your most authentic self (to a degree), where she see’s herself in five years and more.

What made you first want to pursue a career in music?

Pretty much, I’ve always wanted to do it. There wasn’t really another option. I didn’t really have anything else I wanted to pursue, so it was like a hobby, and a hobby starts off as something that you are passionate about and an outlet, and then it became my job. It wasn’t something I went into thinking this is what I wanna do for a living, it wasn’t really a conscious decision. You know, you can make a living out of music, and I didn’t know you really could at that point and what it entailed, but then you realize, if you can make the money off it as well, then that’s a bonus. 

You released “Messy” nearly a year ago, but it really popped off on TikTok at the end of last year. What was your reaction to that?

It was amazing. It was a bit weird. I think what’s difficult at the moment is having it be the focus of the conversation, just like me, because it was such a big hit. It was so seminal, I guess, in my career. And when I look back, I’m sure it’ll be such a big part of my career. And it feels like the biggest part out of it and at the moment. I’m very happy that it was this song that it happened to as well, ’cause it feels like a very important song, and a good one with the meaning of the message, and it feels very me. I guess it’s weird because it’s the only hit I have, right? It’s just such a big song that it’s hard to kind of actually see it for what it is; it’s weird. It’s like my song, but it’s so big. It’s a weird feeling. 

As an artist, what’s it like seeing your music reach a wider audience through social media and music streamers, having been working on it for so long?

I feel like nothing really changes, not in a depressing way, like a really nice way. The only thing that changes is that you have a bigger song. You don’t change as a person. Like the music I make next will be an evolution. I feel like the key to all of this is that the evolution you have as an artist is so internal because it means you’re in the studio, you’ve got about maximum six people — I don’t really bring my friends and so it’s just me and people who are working — and that is the evolution, like continuing to better the next song I’ve done to better the next album, and it’s never ending. That’s what the key is to music, because all the front stuff, all the success, is a byproduct of doing something good. And therefore, I don’t really feel different. It feels amazing, the success, but that’s not really why I do it. It feels so amazing seeing it happen, like it’s something I dream of and everyone dreams of. 

Are you happy that “Messy” was the song that went viral, and do you have another song you hope gets more attention?

Not really, but also I love “Conceited” as a song. “You Noticed” is one I really care about. I wish I would have recorded that slightly differently now ‘cause I feel like the vocal could have been higher in the next, but that one is really a special song, and I think it’s like a nice ballad, and I think it will have its time for sure. 

Looking back at your album, This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway, which released last year, what did it represent to you?

It changed what it represented then and what it represents now, but for me at the time, it represented this unapologetic, like the isn’t meant for anyone who doesn’t like it, and this isn’t meant for anyone that I wrote it about, this is meant for me. But now it’s actually created a new meaning for me, like the reason I make the music isn’t for what I just spoke about, the success. That’s an amazing part of it. It’s made me realize the album has really made it clear to me that anything can happen in music. This may be my only hit. I hope it’s not but it could happen, and therefore, that whole albums symbolizes that I do this to help myself heal, and then in turn, if it helps other people, that’s a bonus. 

From just the whirlwind of the last few months, is there anything you’ve taken away from it all?

The maddest thing I take from it is reiterating that I think with any form of success, regardless of how big things get for me, you’re still the same person and nothing really within you changes. So it will feel different, if I can give any piece of advice to someone who’s starting out. It’s so fickle but it’s also real and tangible. However, you still go home to yourself at the end of the day, and that’s just what real life is, you know, artists are real people. And I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far, but I’m on to the next. I want to achieve more, you know? 

Can you talk about your experience performing at the BRIT Awards for the first time earlier this year?

It was very stressful and nerve-wracking, if I’m honest. I think doing something that feels like such a milestone in my career — like for the other people who’ve done it a lot of times, it may feel less intimidating — but for me, that was pretty stressful. I was nervous and I blacked out. I didn’t remember the performance, but I think it was good, so I’m proud of that! 

You’re also performing at Coachella for the first time in April. What are you most looking forward to?

I’m just excited to be there. I’ve never been to Coachella. I wanna experience it, soak in the sun, soak in the people, the other artists. I’m not as excited for myself because I’m just nervous about it, but I’m excited to see everyone else and watch everyone be together. 

Can you tease what fans can expect from your set?

It’s just gonna be raw. I mean, my set’s always raw and it’s different every time. Maybe a few sneaky bits of new material. But it’s gonna be a moment, like I haven’t done anything that big, so I’m very excited! My first Coachella, it’s gonna be great.

What’s going through your head when you’re performing for a live audience and hearing them sing your songs with you?

I try and disconnect from it because it’s quite terrifying. You know, I’ve seen the growth. You feel like it happens overnight, but it doesn’t because I’ve seen the growth from like 50 people in a room to thousands. And festivals are different because not everyone’s there to see you and a lot of people are, and then it’s a mix of a crowd. It’s not like my show. But when I hear a song like “Messy,” it was mad when I first went on tour and started doing “Messy” because everyone was singing the words and it’s a weird feeling. It’s a very, very, very spiritual and electric feeling, but not one that any other drug or high can give you really, like it’s a natural high. 

Do you have a favorite part of the music creation process, between songwriting, recording, music videos and performing?

There’s nothing I don’t like. There are parts of it I’m not accustomed to or didn’t sign up to do. I didn’t think I’d have to do things like shoots. Some shoots can be very difficult ‘cause I’m not a model, that’s not what I do. I enjoy them more now and I always like being in front of the camera, it’s not that, it’s just certain editorial shoots can be difficult. It depends on the shoot ‘cause I’ve had amazing ones too, you know? But my favorite is performing and recording. I’m always excited by that, and writing is my favorite, probably by a lot. But performing, I also love. You got different pros and cons of each because performing is so high pressure and then it’s very draining, and writing is very cathartic, but you feel proud of what you’ve created out of nothing. 

Seeing everything you’ve accomplished so far, is there a moment you’re most proud of in your career?

It would just be personal things. Career-wise, I would say the BRITs was amazing, performing there, working with Tyler, The Creator, hanging out with SZA. Those are really good moments, but there’s like personal things that I feel more proud of myself for achieving and accomplishing than the big things. … I’m so gassed to be where I’m at, but I’m just so looking forward to making more music and getting it straight out of there now. 

Whether it be longtime fans or new listeners, what do you hope people take away from your music?

Whatever they want. Obviously, I hope that they would feel seen and understood. That’s it really. And that they relate to in some way. That’s all I can hope. 

What does your perfect day off look like?

Probably my new ADHD meds and chatting shit on the phone to my friends (Laughs). 

In this day and age, why do you find it important to express to your fans that it’s OK to be your must authentic self, despite what society might say?

It depends on what aspect ‘cause it’s not OK to be yourself if you’re a c—, you know what I mean? It’s OK to be yourself in the ways that you’re ashamed of feeling, like you shouldn’t be yourself in the ways that society will deem you, whether it be as a woman and you’re fat. I mean, we should just be ourselves. We should just be who we are. Like, let’s stop fucking fat shaming. There are bigger fish to worry about than what a trans person’s doing. Like who gives a fuck, like I give a fuck ‘cause you should care, but to a certain degree there are bigger things to be worrying about in the world right now than worrying about somebody else, you know? Also just be what the fuck you wanna be and be confident in it. And also just being a nice person. I think that’s really important as well, like you can be sexy and be a c— and no one gives a fuck about you. Such an important statement to just say is we’re all gonna die and we have no time to be worrying about these small, minute things. 

What’s one of the biggest challenges you’ve been able to overcome to help get you to where you are today?

Not giving up, really, it’s that simple. I didn’t give up. I was at a point where I felt like everyone was gonna drop me, my label was gonna drop me. I felt in a really bad way and I wasn’t making music, I didn’t know who I was. But I knew that it would work at some point, and it did. I didn’t ever doubt myself. I didn’t ever doubt that I wasn’t good enough. I just continued. I believed completely and solely in myself, regardless of the numbers. That’s what everyone should do always. 

Looking back to younger Lola, would you say anything to her seeing where you are today? 

There’s gonna be a hell of a lot of other shit that you’re not prepared for. You will overcome it; just be prepared for it. Also stop listening to fucking stupid man, and also stop dating man. Honestly, you know who you are; just be a bit more. 

Where do you hope to see yourself in five years?

Probably four albums down, successful career, big fan base, be able to do world tours and continue to do what I’m doing really. Make music that I’m very proud of and make music that people can resonate with.

If you had to describe what makes Lola Young, Lola Young, what would you say?

I’m gonna say messy. I hate saying that but whatever. Messy, unapologetic and just no fucks given, like absolute no time to care (Laughs). I’m fucking touring, I have no time to care anymore. Also, if we can add a fourth, I care really a lot.