Young Lola's success story - a powerhouse pop star rising in reverse.

Becoming a rising star in the music industry demands a continuously developing set of abilities. Along with effectively using social media (which is almost necessary) and having the ability to survive on only vegan sausage rolls from Greggs (since making money from music is difficult), we must also be able to simultaneously take selfies with two audience members’ phones during the introduction of a song that delves into our most profound and frightening contemplations.

Lola Young, a 23-year-old musician from South London, is a multitasker of the Gen Z generation. She impressively holds onto two strangers’ phones while performing on stage, capturing the energetic crowd in the background. As she gracefully dodges even more phones being thrust towards her, she takes the time to do a quick double selfie and catch her breath. Young introduces her song “Intrusive Thoughts” from her recent release, which delves into her personal struggle with schizoaffective disorder. The haunting ballad is a plea to her own thoughts, which often involve thoughts of jumping off balconies. Despite the loud fans in the audience, Young’s lyrics remain powerful as she begs her thoughts to behave.

Throughout history, music has been a transformative experience, often taking the struggles of singer-songwriters and transforming them into something exquisite. However, in today’s society, artists of all forms are increasingly honest about their experiences with trauma and mental health. Last year, Young’s underappreciated endeavor, “My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely,” draws inspiration from both the sensitive reflections of Arlo Parks and Young’s notable influences.

In 2020, when Young rose to fame, many people noticed her similarities to Adele and Amy Winehouse. She is a talented and honest singer from London who writes lyrically about difficult relationships. She, like Adele and Winehouse, attended the Brit School. Young is currently signed to Island, the same label that represented Winehouse, and is managed by Nick Shymansky and Nick Huggett, who previously managed and signed Adele, respectively. (According to reports, Shymansky had vowed to never manage another artist after struggling to get Winehouse into rehab, until he met Young.)

However, an interesting development has occurred for this vocalist, who has faced struggles with cysts on their vocal cords: it appears that they have reversed in age. Initially rising to fame as a relatively refined and mainstream artist, by 2021 they were even featured as the voice for the John Lewis Christmas ad. Overall, they seemed to fit the mold of typical mainstream artist signed by a major label.

She is now younger than she was before. As My Mind Wanders… was approaching, the polished and precise piano performances were discarded, making way for explicit language, facial piercings, and exaggerated false eyelashes. One could classify this as being authentic, although this label is not entirely accurate or definitive.

On Mind…, a pissed-off and confused young woman delivered a set of songs packed with zingers about sub-par relationships and self-obsessed men. Spiritually, these tracks had a lot in common with CMAT’s excellent album about toxic love, Crazymad, for Me (2023). For context, My 21st Century Blues, Raye’s also very real 2023 album about abuse and faltering mental health, just won its maker six Brit awards.

Several notable moments from My Mind Wanders… are being showcased on the opening night of a brief tour in the UK, before Young travels to North America. Some of the most touching highlights include Revolve Around You, in which Young expresses her desire to be more lovable despite acknowledging her flaws, and What Is It About Me, a doo-wop song with a hint of old-fashioned charm, where she belts out powerful vocals reminiscent of Adele (revisited). She performs wearing a unique combination of a fashion-forward mullet, a Fred Perry top, and oversized denim shorts.

There’s an actual album coming soon, Young says, but doesn’t say when. Since last autumn, new tracks have trickled out, re-nosing her offering once again. These more recent outings find her four-piece guitar band to the fore, an indie rock sensibility overtaking electronic R&B-ish pop.

The brilliantly blunt Wish You Were Dead came out in January, a spacious clatter of drums and dilatory guitar that describes a kitchen sink drama in two couplets. “We can pretend that we’re in love,” sings Young, “until I throw a punch, you call me a cunt and that tips me over the edge, you throw my phone out the window, and next thing the neighbour says she’s calling the feds.”

The latest therapies are not always positive. “Big Brown Eyes” is a song that has not been officially released and has a slightly unpleasant quality that could be compared to Lily Allen, but may not have the same impact upon first listen. A few other unreleased tracks have a similarly unimpressive sound.

The 80s pop-rock style of Messy is much more attractive, as it showcases Young’s imperfections. These imperfections are what make her easy to relate to: she smokes excessively, is not thin, and has her own version of a “Britney breakdown” every other week.

There is a slight risk that Young may continuously reintroduce herself with a self-deprecating list of flaws, potentially leading to self-blame. However, on Conceited, her humor and boldness come together brilliantly as she combines sultry R&B with the electric guitar and catchy rhythms reminiscent of Arctic Monkeys’ Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High. The song builds to a powerful climax, with Young energetically dancing around. She passionately sings from the heart, half-rapping lyrics where she stands up for herself. This demonstrates that Young is capable of handling any challenges that love – or the music industry – may throw her way.