Listening to Oklou feels like being invited to a mysterious masquerade – only to find yourself ending up in a nightclub instead, still wearing the mask.
With an almost perfectly judged blend of cool pop songs and futuristic soundscapes, the much-hyped French producer and songwriter has set an exceptionally high bar for contemporary avant-pop, shaping a universe that balances the fragile with the monumental. Here, baroque, classical elements merge with electronic trance productions that are practically begging to hit the dancefloor.
Her music unfolds like a sprawling landscape of new possibilities for pop – minimalist on the surface, yet full of small, surprising twists. It’s no wonder that artists such as PinkPantheress, FKA twigs, Bladee and underscores have chosen to collaborate with her.
Oklou – real name Marylou Vanina Mayniel – has for years been a name to watch among those drawn to pop’s more experimental corners. She debuted as Oklou in 2015 and cemented her signature sound with the 2020 mixtape Galore, created in collaboration with A. G. Cook and Shygirl. In 2025 she finally released her first full-length album, Choke Enough.
On Choke Enough, Oklou channels a wealth of genres and textures into a deeply personal universe, where sci-fi-tinged synths, hyperpop-leaning vocals and acoustic instruments blend seamlessly. The glowing reviews and the audience’s warm reception speak for themselves: this was an album worth the wait.
Most recently, Oklou delivered a stunning acoustic Tiny Desk session which, together with the album, only heightens the anticipation for what awaits when she brings her captivating pop creations to Roskilde Festival this summer.