Lola Young has spoken to NME about her love of The Cure, and explained why she thinks ‘Messy’ went viral. Read the interview below, or watch the video above.
The singer, songwriter and former NME Cover star spoke to us while on the BRITs 2025 red carpet, and discussed how ‘Messy’ became one of the biggest singles of the past 12 months.
“I think it’s the idea that you don’t have to be this thing that stereotypers want women to be,” she began. “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].”
“I’m just taking it all in my stride and taking each day as it comes. I’m really proud of the song,” she added.
She also opened up about her recent cover of The Cure’s iconic single ‘Close To Me’, which she shared last month as part of triple j’s Like A Version series.
“I love The Cure. I love the weird [blend] of it being nostalgic but still feeling current,” she explained. “I think they’re an incredible band.”
At the 2025 BRITs ceremony, Young also took to the stage to perform her viral hit, and was nominated in the Best Pop Act category alongside Charli XCX, Dua Lipa and Rising Star winner Myles Smith. The award went to JADE, and marked the singer’s first BRIT trophy since launching a solo career.
The Cure were also up for several awards on the night – becoming their first nominations at the BRITs in three decades. They received nods in Best Rock Act, Group Of The Year and Mastercard Album Of The Year for ‘Songs Of A Lost World’, but ultimately went home empty handed, leading to fans sharing their frustrations online.
You can find a full list of the night’s winners here.
As for Lola Young, last summer, the singer’s debut album, ‘This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway’, was given a glowing five-star review from NME, and described as “the most distinctive and daring realisation of her experimental tendencies yet”.
“Young’s first full-length album moves with an auteur-like touch to its production; opulent soul set pieces stand tall next to raw, scratchy indie tunes, all of which see the south Londoner face desire in its many complications. It’s a collection that feels equally empowered and tormented,” it read.
She also spoke to NME as part of The Cover around that time, and shed light on the diaristic approach she has to songwriting. “I think any artist where [they’re] not honest [in their lyrics], you see straight through,” she said.
“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.”