New Music: Lola Young

Meet the soulful South London singer-songwriter raised on Prince and Joni Mitchell.

Ticketmaster New Music is a carefully curated selection, showcasing artists we are expecting to make waves in the live music scene. Working closely with record labels, live event promoters and talent agents, our in-house experts handpick the most exciting emerging music.

Lola Young’s latest three track Renaissance EP is a culmination of years of grafting away, just shy of the spotlight. Since unveiling her first recorded material last year, the soulful South London singer-songwriter has welcomed praise from the likes of tastemakers Annie Mac, Jo Wiley and Mistajam. Young’s story, however, goes back to her early childhood, writing her own songs from the age of 11 and winning a national vocal competition just two years later. Management and record labels soon came knocking.

Opting instead to study at the prestigious BRIT School – which counts Adele and Amy Winehouse among its notable alumni – Lola continued to hone her skills. She truly cut her teeth on the underground live circuit around the capital. Her first sets included material penned as an early teen, never shying away from personal and open lyrics. Young’s debut single, 6 Feet Under, showcased both her strong self-awareness and her rich vocals. The opening words, “I think about death sometimes”, set the scene for her blunt delivery.

Lola Young - 6 Feet Under

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Renaissance builds further on Lola Young’s soulful foundations. Opener Pick You Up boasts an unmistakable retro sound throughout its tale of rejection. Same Bed harks back to the heyday of slow jams – sultry, sexy and powerful. On the piano driven None For You, Young’s heartbreak and ultimate empowerment is palpable. All three project the atmosphere of a smoky jazz club, cemented by both the musical intimacy and the power of her delivery.

Drawing inspiration from the likes of Prince and Joni Mitchell, Lola Young combines the powerhouse performance of the former with the universal relatability of the latter. “I have always been interested in words and how they fit together,” Lola says, embodying years of hard work and a deep respect for musical heritage in her alluring sound.