South London’s genre-defying singer-songwriter Lola Young returns with her latest single, “One Thing,” a bold, tongue-in-cheek exploration of desire, identity, and power. Released today, the track is anchored by fluttery guitar lines and a head-nodding dub groove, offering a sonic backdrop as confident and layered as Lola herself. Showcasing her signature blend of sharp spoken word and powerhouse vocals, Lola explains: “It’s a song that on first listen sounds like I’m talking about one thing. Sex. Which I am, of course. However, sex in itself is never about one thing.”
The release is paired with a visually captivating music video directed by Dave Meyers (Little Simz, SZA, Sabrina Carpenter). Through a series of playful vignettes—a chaotic first date, an all-girls classroom, a boxing ring filled with ex-lovers, and Lola kissing her own reflection—the video embodies Lola’s distinct humour and flips traditional gender narratives on their head. “I wanted to make a song and music video that is thought-provoking,” she says, “and highlights sex being both a fun and light thing, not always meaningful.”
“One Thing” marks the start of a fearless new chapter for Lola, whose career has already been paved with accolades. With over 1 billion global streams, her 2024 album This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway propelled her into mainstream stardom. The album’s lead single “Messy” became a viral phenomenon, reaching #1 across Pop, Hot AC, and Alternative Billboard charts—making her the first female artist to do so with a debut single since Lorde’s “Royals.” It also topped the UK Singles Chart for four straight weeks.
Fresh off her debut performance at Coachella, where she premiered “One Thing,” Lola’s momentum shows no signs of slowing. She was recently nominated for an American Music Award, three Ivor Novello Awards, and a BRIT for Best Pop Act. With features in Rolling Stone’s Future 25, NPR, and The Los Angeles Times, and a performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Lola Young is no longer a rising star—she’s a force redefining pop on her own terms.
