Listen to Lola Young’s “liberating and sexy” new single ‘One Thing’

Lola Young has shared a new single called ‘One Thing’ – you can listen to it below.

• READ MORE: Lola Young tells us about the success of ‘Messy’ and her love of The Cure

“It’s a song that on first listen sounds like I’m talking about one thing. Sex. Which I am, of course,” Young explained of the upbeat and empowering song. “However, sex in itself is never about one thing.”

She continued: “I wanted to make a song and music video that is thought-provoking and highlights sex being both a fun and light thing, not always meaningful, as well as showing how gender roles can be reversed.”

The track sees Young unapologetically express her needs, and it will appear on the follow-up to her 2024 album ‘This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway’, which features her breakout viral hit ‘Messy’.

“It may seem spontaneous but it’s not as I’ve been thinking about releasing something liberating and sexy and freeing for [a] while,” Young wrote on social media.

“It’s a song about s*x and passion without strings needing to be attached, as it’s something I struggle achieving most of the time lol but something that i think is important for (women especially) to feel confident doing.

As for her forthcoming next record, she added: “The album that is coming soon has some deeeeeep ones tho don’t you worry lmao I can’t wait for u to shake some assss to this one tho Love u all so much.”

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Last month, Young’s Number One single ‘Messy’ was named the biggest song of 2025 so far and the third best-selling vinyl single of the year so far.

In other news, Young is nominated for Best Album at next week’s Ivor Novello Awards 2025, and is also in the running for Rising Star and Best Song Musically And Lyrically (‘Messy’).

Speaking to NME at the BRITs 2025 in March, Young reflected on the huge success of the track. “I’m just taking it all in my stride and taking each day as it comes. I’m really proud of the song,” she said.

“I think it’s the idea that you don’t have to be this thing that stereotypers want women to be. It’s not even just that though, because everyone can feel like they’re not enough for somebody. ‘I want to be me, is that not allowed?’ – that’s a great lyric! I’m very proud of it and it feels like it’s resonating with people on a wider scale [than I expected].”

She previously spoke to NME as part of The Cover last summer, opening up about her diaristic approach to songwriting. “I think any artist where [they’re] not honest [in their lyrics], you see straight through,” Young explained.

“I’ve learned that songs are perfect for you when you’ve written them, and then they’re gonna connect with people, but, for you, it changes. The album is gritty, real and raw. It’s honest and that’s what I want to be and what I am at the moment.”

Meanwhile, Young was recently listed in Forbes’ ’30 Under 30′ Europe 2025 list.

The singer-songwriter’s summer tour dates include Reading & Leeds, Parklife and Rock Werchter.

The post Listen to Lola Young’s “liberating and sexy” new single ‘One Thing’ appeared first on NME.