Artist Spotlight: Lola Young

1 year ago
Artist Spotlight

Lola Young is a name that resonates with authenticity, raw emotion, and a profound connection to her craft. Nominated for the Brit Award for Rising Star in 2021, Young's ascent in the music industry has been nothing short of remarkable. Her haunting rendition of "Together in Electric Dreams" for the John Lewis Christmas advert introduced her to a wider audience, showcasing her unique ability to transform classics with a deeply emotive touch.


In 2022, Young secured the fourth spot in the BBC Sound of 2022, cementing her place as one of the most promising artists of her generation. Fast forward to 2024, she is set to open for Melanie Martinez on July 31st, the concluding day of Martinez's The Trilogy Tour in Hershey, Pennsylvania. This performance marks a significant milestone in Young's career, offering her a platform to connect with a broader audience.


Her latest album, "This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway," recorded in Los Angeles, bears the hallmark of her close collaboration with producer Solomonophic, known for his work with Remi Wolf, BROCKHAMPTON, and Dominic Fike. This album follows her previous release, "My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely," and continues her journey of self-discovery and artistic expression. “Here is my first born child, a fuck you to all my exes, and basically me just trying to figure out some shit openly and honestly on record. First of many and if you don't like it, then this wasn't meant for you anyway," Young candidly shares about her new album.


Her most recent release, "I Don’t Mind," part of the ‘Bose x NME: C24’ collaboration, delves into complex emotions surrounding past relationships and intimate moments. Young describes the song as a blunt exploration of love and emptiness, capturing a sense of safety and vulnerability. The stripped-back production, reminiscent of Pinegrove and early Arctic Monkeys, emphasizes Young's lyrical prowess and her ability to convey deep emotions with minimal instrumentation.


Performing alone with a guitar, Young's "I Don’t Mind" is a testament to her commitment to honest and raw storytelling. “It’s a really personal song for me and it’s a really short song but it just tells that story, I think, quite beautifully. It’s like a diary entry; I wanted it to sound really raw and real and direct,” she explains. Her frequent collaborators Conor Dickinson and William Brown (Manuka) helped capture the song's quiet intensity.


Lola Young's participation in the Bose and NME collaboration has been a source of inspiration for the artist, who values the authenticity of the mixtape format. “I’m so obsessed with the idea of creating a mixtape that feels really authentic to each artist,” Young says. “This is very curated and that’s what meant a lot to me. It’s so inspiring to be part of something that’s bigger, so I’m really excited about it.”


As she continues to navigate her career, Lola Young remains a beacon of genuine artistry, unafraid to lay bare her emotions and experiences. Her music, marked by its honesty and relatability, ensures that she is an artist to watch in the years to come.


Stream "I Don’t Mind" here: https://too.fm/jdleq8l