I’m Only F**king Myself

When Lola Young titled her 2019 debut album Intro, it was almost like she knew it would be just the beginning of her wildly unpredictable path that would land her in 2025 so very far from the songs she was writing 6 years ago. Lower class production, a still shaky voice of a young girl unsure of herself, and songs written for everyone, Young was undiscovered on Intro. Flash forward to 2025 and Young is now posed next to a sex doll (of herself) on her fourth studio album where she plays with acid, rock, and rap sounds while singing about hating everyone and f**king everyone at the same time.

I’m Only F**king Myself was a pleasant surprise. A sytlistcally coherent yet wildly dynamic work of spunk, introspection, and recklessness, Lola Young’s fourth studio record is certainly her best yet. All intentional 14 tracks contribute significantly to the album, with the intro and interlude nicely tying the record together. Young enraged, turned-on, vengeful, hurt, desperate, desiring, honest, and healing to create an entertaining and climactic 46 minutes of listening. From the funky distorted background vocal sample and rock-n-roll sound of F**K EVERYONE to the jazzy piano of SAD SOB STORY! :) to the accoustic strings of who f**king cares?, the album does an excellent job of not putting Young into any boxes.

Clunky and immature at times and by no means perfect, if I’m Only F**king Myself reminds us of one thing, it’s that Lola Young is full of energy in every shape and form. With no shortage of natural talent, Young’s task when creating music will rather be forever and always be learning to master, hone, and refine this energy into making sophisticated songs about the least sophisticated parts of the human experience.