If you have used TikTok within the last few months, you have probably come across the song ‘Messy’ by Lola Young that has recently also hit number one in the UK Big Top 40 charts. The viral hit is just one of the eleven tracks on her second studio album ‘This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway’. Following the release of several singles including ‘Messy’ the piece was published in June 2024. The record explores themes of love, heartbreak, longing and frustration portrayed through poignant and emotive lyrics.

The first thing to note is the power of Young’s voice. Although her soulful sound and vocal range may have been more clearly showcased on her previous album ‘My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely’, there is no denying that you can always hear the passion and emotion when she sings both in her recorded music and when she performs live. The album spans a variety of styles with a more intense sound and heavy guitar in songs such as ‘Conceited’ and ‘Big Brown Eyes’ while ‘You Noticed’ and ‘Intrusive Thoughts’ take a more acoustic feel. The jump in genre change can sometimes be quite noticeable but doesn’t take away from the overall smooth progression when listening through the songs. The style of each number reflects the tone of its corresponding lyrics well, particularly in ‘Wish You Were Dead’ that describes a strong disagreement between individuals within a relationship. The chaotic and vibrant nature of the track really does feel like you are caught between two people arguing and venting their grievances at each other.  

Young’s talent in terms of story-telling especially shines through in the opening track ‘Good Books’. The first verse almost feels timid as though it is taking a lot of courage to bring these points to light. As the song progresses, Young’s vocals become more powerful as if she feels more certain and convinced that she is right in the points she is making. You can hear the hurt and frustration in her voice as she sings ‘I work hard to stay in your good books but you don’t read so why do I try?’ which is something a lot of us can relate to in connection with both romantic and non-romantic relationships. 

There is no denying that you can always hear the passion and emotion when she sings both in her recorded music and when she performs live

The perfect conclusion is a voice note-esque recording where Young expresses what the album is about. It is a raw confessional that states she is trying to understand through her passion for music that she can be her own true love and that she doesn’t need to be romantically involved with anyone to prove that. The album is for her and her own self-discovery and healing and that to anyone who thinks a song might be about them ‘this wasn’t meant for you anyway.’ 

The album is a true reflection of her skill in terms of songwriting and lyricism with songs that overall convey the complexity and emotion that come with being in love or in a relationship. The variety of genres and topics highlight that relationships aren’t always smooth sailing and the way you feel about someone can take many shapes and forms. Ultimately, the record explores what it is to love and be loved with a final message that self-love is more important than any other kind. 

Image: Lola Young via Spotify