French vocalist, producer, and composer Oklou returns with “Family and Friends,” her first solo release since the critically acclaimed mixtape Galore. The new single presents a haunting, ethereal meditation on the mysteries of existence, with its layered production featuring arpeggiated marimbas, choral textures, and intricate sound design. With cryptic lyrics like “Are you even real?” Oklou captures a sense of elusive emotion, weaving an atmosphere that is as mesmerizing as it is unsettling. The accompanying Gil Gharbi-directed music video amplifies this eerie feeling, following Oklou and her friends as they evade an unseen force, with the camera’s haunting gaze heightening the track’s tension.
Describing “Family and Friends,” Oklou says, “It feels like a battle, like I’m searching for answers to questions that haven’t been asked, running from something intangible—a memory, maybe.” The track embodies this search for meaning, blending the abstract with the deeply personal in a way that is quintessentially Oklou.
Oklou is set to bring her evocative sound to New York City with a special “Family and Friends” show on September 19th, followed by a headlining DJ set at The Meadows in Brooklyn on September 20th, where she’ll be joined by Hyd, Physical Therapy, and Petal Supply for an electrifying night hosted by SKSKSKS.
Oklou, born Marylou Mayniel, hails from the French countryside, where her early musical journey began with classical piano and cello. Eventually gravitating toward electronic music production, she made her mark with her early EPs For The Beasts (2017) and The Rite Of May (2018). Her breakthrough came with Galore in 2020, praised by Dazed as “sophisticated in its composition yet cutting edge in its sound,” cementing her status as an innovative force in modern music. With collaborations alongside Mura Masa, A.G. Cook, and EASYFUN, and tour support for artists like Oneohtrix Point Never and Caroline Polachek, Oklou has become a rising star on the international stage.
“Family and Friends” signals a bold return for Oklou, continuing her exploration of introspective, forward-thinking pop. Keep an eye out for more from her soon.