Toxic relationships, drug addiction and chaos envelop English singer Lola Young’s latest album, “I’m Only F**king Myself.” The pop-rock album, released Sept. 19, is punchy and reflective, with Young’s lyricism taking a front seat.
The album is the older sister to “This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway,”the 2024 album including Young’s hit song, “Messy.” The song quickly went viral due to its refreshingly honest lyrics, with Young singing, “And I’m too perfect ‘til I open my big mouth/ I want to be me, is that not allowed?”
“I’m Only F**king Myself” exudes this same sentiment. From the lyrics to the album cover, which depicts Young holding a pink blow-up doll of herself, the record is brash and candid.
The album starts out strong with “F**K EVERYONE,” and “One Thing,” two sexually explicit, catchy tracks. Young is honest about her sexuality in “One Thing,” singing, “Don’t care if you got another/ ‘cause tonight I’m your only lover/ And I’ma give you that one thing.”
The next song, “d£aler,” is a sharp contrast to the previous tracks. It focuses more on Young expressing her struggles with sobriety and her desire to pack her bags and disappear. Despite the upbeat pop beat, the lyrics are gloomy.
Following this is “SPIDERS,” which begins as a slow ballad and crescendos into a clashing, angry chorus depicting a fight with a romantic partner. Young’s frustration is tangible in her strained vocals, adding more depth to the lyrics.
In “Penny Out of Nothing,” Young admits that she will “make a fool out of a man.” She sings, “Don’t you dare walk away/ I’m not done lying to your face.” While the chorus is catchy, the track did not stand out to me amidst stronger songs on the album.
“Walk All Over You” is one of the aforementioned stronger songs of this album. The track seems like a mix of Young’s “Messy” and “Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter, which expresses the pop artist's frustration at incompetent men. In “Walk All Over You,” Young asserts that she won’t take disrespect from anyone, especially not the man that she is with. She sings, “Just ‘cause you’re a man don’t mean you can sit there/ and treat me like shit on your shoes/ ‘cause do me wrong, I’ll put ‘em on and I’ll walk all over you,” which is one of my favorite lyrics from the entire project.
Formed through Bloomington Delta Music Club, the band is comprised of six IU students.
Young continues to switch the atmosphere with “Post Sex Clarity,” a sultry song with melodic vocals embedded in my head since hearing it.
Midway through the album are songs “SAD SOB STORY! :),” a rambling, venting track, and “CAN WE IGNORE IT? :(,“ which is more of an upbeat rock song. While these songs are good, the ranting style and abrasive vocals were a bit overwhelming. Compared to other songs on the album, these did not compare.
Young’s vocals and lyrics really stand out on “why do i feel better when i hurt you?” While the music is smooth and groovy, the lyrics are piercing and introspective. Young sings soberly, “Unless it’s dark, I throw words like punches at you/ I like the way they almost bruise,” a somber admittance to her more toxic tendencies. With deeply honest lyrics and a calm, relaxing beat, the track is easily one of my favorites off the album.
“Not Like That Anymore” and “who f**king cares?” are the last two songs on the album and while they contrast in sound, with “Not Like That Anymore” being eclectically upbeat and the latter being a stripped-back acoustic track, the lyrics are very similar. Young grapples with her drug addiction and insecurities, writing that it’s hard to feel alive and questions what being happy even really means. The closing songs are deeply intimate and personal, showcasing Young’s lyrical talents beautifully.
Switching between somber, melodic verses to heavy and upbeat rock choruses, Young kept me on my toes for the entirety of the album. “I’m Only F**king Myself” was a rollercoaster to listen to, but I enjoyed every rise and fall.
