Lola Young describes her biggest hit as an “ADHD anthem.” The irony is that it is practically impossible not to pay attention to it. ‘Messy’ is the song with which to get to know the 23-year-old British artist and our Song of the Day.
Lola Young’s name began to ring a bell with the general public after her appearance in the song ‘Like Him’, from Tyler, the Creator’s latest album, which she accompanies with her powerful voice. In 2021, she was nominated for the Brit Award for Rising Star. The following year, she placed fourth in the 2022 BBC Sound. This was won by PinkPantheress.
Since then, Young has released two albums: ‘My Mind Wanders And Sometimes Leaves Completely’ (2023) and ‘This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway’ (2024). It is the latter that includes ‘Messy’, which marks the artist’s solo debut on the Hot 100, albeit in a humble position like number 90. Currently, it is at number 64. On the Billboard TikTok charts , ranks number 31 among the most shared.
It is not difficult to understand why the topic has been liked so much. Young’s harsh voice shines thanks to lyrics that are as vulnerable as they are interesting and a straightforward pop rock instrumental with few flourishes. “You know I’m impatient / So why did you leave me waiting outside the station when it was like minus four degrees?” Lola sings in the first line.
‘Messy’ functions as a letter to the artist’s ex, berating him for things like hating that she cries “unless it’s that time of the month” or talking too much: “Can you shut up for once in your life?” he sings. However, it also serves to learn more about Lola Young herself. “Yes, I smoke like a chimney / I’m not skinny and I do a Britney every two weeks,” she sings in the first verse.
She herself says that the song shows “everything I felt during my last relationship”, but that it also talks about “finding balance in myself.” Therefore, the chorus is full of contradictions: “I’m too messy and then I’m too clean” or “I’m too smart and then I’m too dumb.”
