Lola Young has quickly followed up on the blow-up success of TikTok super hit Messy with her new album I’m Only F**king Myself.
Opening with F**K EVERYONE an angrier, rocky/dance number hints at a change in direction for I’m Only F**king Myself, but this quickly gives way to a more familiar Lola Young sound and I’m grateful that while she’s experimented musically she’s not strayed too far from what feels authentically her.
The pre-released singles remain some of the strongest moments on the album. One Thing stands out with its catchy chorus and infectious rhythm, while Dealer brings a smoother sound with its lilting R&B vibe. There’s something especially compelling about Not Like That Anymore too — the interplay between the vocals and backing track echoes the delicate magic that made This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway so memorable. I also really enjoyed the sultry mood of Post Sex Clarity and Why Do I Feel Better When I Hurt You, the latter leaning into a more classic pop sound than Lola’s become known for. That more polished, poppier direction does occasionally resurface throughout the album, but it doesn’t stray too far into bubblegum pop territory.
Lola’s heavily introspective work means this album doesn’t have the trappings of the newly famous and the awkward struggles of what to write about. She writes about Lola, she isn’t scared to be open and unguarded in her storytelling and it’s this mainstay which will allow her albums to remain relevant as she navigates her journey in the spotlight. It’s stories of addiction, of poor relationship choices and low self-esteem – it’s probably the worst elements of being in your 20s laid out in a 14-song package (well 12 songs and two interludes). Tracks like who f**king cares are hard to listen to, as they thrust the challenges of mental health struggles front and centre. Not pretty, not dressed up in a glittery pop song – just a girl and a guitar being really fucking vulnerable.
While it is lacking some of the magic of This Wasn’t Meant For You Anywayl in the way it showcases Lolas young vocals, the more I listen to I’m Only F**king Myself the more I’m seeing the great elements contained within each song. It’s hard to not keep going back and adding further highlights to the review as every track brings something different to this album. It has Lola’s trademark honesty and candid lyricism from start to finish and it’s a strong album for what is always a difficult time in an artist’s career as they shift from the freedom of the unknown into the floodlights of fame. What is for certain is Lola is exactly the refreshing talent and energy that the music industry needs right now. She’s just out here being entirely (f-king) herself and you have to love her for it.
Listen to I’m Only F**king Myself here.