Oklou
Birth nameMarylou Vanina Mayniel
AliasAvril Alvarez · avril23 · Lou du Lagon · Loumar · Soirée Pyj
Birth date23 April 1993 (age 33)
Birth placePoitiers, France
GenreExperimental pop[1][2] · electropop[3]
OccupationMusician · singer · music producer · DJ · songwriter
Years active2014–present
LabelBecause · TaP · True Panther · NUXXE · Permalnk

Marylou Vanina Mayniel (born 23 April 1993), better known by her stage name Oklou (pronounced "Okay Lou"; /ˈəʊ.keɪ.luː/),[4] is a French musician from Poitiers. Her debut mixtape Galore was released in 2020, which was followed up by her debut album Choke Enough in 2025.

Early life

Marylou Mayniel was born on 23 April 1993, in Poitiers, France.[5] Mayniel grew up in the countryside of western France with her two parents and an older brother.[6]

She was classically trained in piano and cello at a conservatory school and sang in choirs as a child.[7][8] Her brother would bring home CDs from the local library, exposing her to artists such as Dälek. The first album she bought was by Gorillaz.[6]

Career

2014–2019: Early beginnings

Mayniel began recording and uploading music online in 2013.[8] She self-released her debut EP, Avril, in June 2014, under the moniker Loumar.[8][9]

She moved to Paris in 2015,[5] and self-released her first Oklou EP, First Tape, alongside a limited run of cassettes.[10] After meeting in late 2015, Mayniel co-founded the female DJ collective TGAF (These Girls Are on Fiyah), alongside DJ Ouai, Miley Serious, and Carin Kelly. They would play weekly radio shows on French station PIIAF and live shows around Paris.[11] The group gained a notable following in its formative years, appearing in many online publication features.[12][13][14][15] TGAF disbanded in July 2018.[16] She attended a Red Bull Music Academy residency in Montreal in 2016, where she met Canadian musician and close collaborator Casey Manierka-Quaile.[8]

Mayniel acted in the short film After School Knife Fight in 2017. The film received a festival release from 2017 to 2018.[17] In December 2017, Mayniel released her collaborative EP with Casey MQ, titled For the Beasts.[18] In early 2018, Mayniel became associated with record label and collective, NUXXE, and its co-founders, Irish-Chilean music producer Sega Bodega, British rapper Shygirl and French producer and performer Coucou Chloe. She released her third EP, The Rite of May, via the label in March of that year.[19] Fact described the EP as “a deeply personal exploration of identity, intimacy and faith” set against “lush, experimental electronic production.”[20] It featured collaborations with Sega Bodega, Rodaidh McDonald, Krampf and Bok Bok. Later that year, Mayniel and Krampf co-created the video game, Zone W/O People. It was made as a part of Red Bull Music Academy France's 2018 Diggin’ in the Carts event.[21] Mayniel also produced a soundtrack for the game, which she later released on a limited cassette.[22] Mayniel also appeared on the late American rapper Chynna’s October 2018 single "Xternal Locus".[23]

Throughout 2019, Mayniel played at various festivals, such as Loom Festival[24] and Pitchfork's Paris Music Festival.[25] She also released a single, titled "Forever", via TaP Records in October. It was co-produced with Sega Bodega.[26]

2020–2023: Galore and collaborations

In January 2020, Mayniel released a collaborative single with French experimentalist Flavien Berger, titled "Toyota", via Because Music.[27] This was followed by another single in February, titled "entertnmnt", which was co-produced with British producer Mura Masa,[28] and another single in April, titled "SGSY" (standing for She's Gonna Slaughter You).[29] The singles were released via TaP Records and True Panther Sounds.[30][31]

Mayniel announced her debut mixtape Galore in July 2020, sharing three tracks, one of which, "unearth me", was accompanied by a music video.[32] Another three tracks from the mixtape were released in August 2020, alongside a music video for the "god’s chariots" track.[33] The full mixtape was released 24 September 2020, via Because Music, TaP Records and True Panther Sounds.[34] The tape was made primarily in collaboration with Casey MQ, but also featured collaborations with Sega Bodega, Shygirl, PC Music’s A. G. Cook and EASYFUN, and GRADES. It also appeared on Gorilla vs. Bear, Rough Trade, and Dummy Mag’s 2020 year-end lists.[35][36][37] Additionally in 2020, Mayniel released remixes of Caroline Polachek’s "Door",[38] and Dua Lipa’s "Fever".[39]

Mayniel produced a remix of French singer Pomme’s "les cours d’eau" track in January 2021, followed by a remix of Swedish rapper Bladee and producer Mechatok's "Rainbow" track in March 2021.[40] Mayniel appeared on A. G. Cook's Apple vs. 7G remix album in May 2020, covering "Being Harsh" from Cook's 2020 7G album. She also released remixes of her tracks "fall" and "galore", by Cook. Mayniel toured across the US supporting Caroline Polachek from November through to December 2021.[41] A remix EP celebrating Galore's anniversary was released on 13 October, featuring an extended mix of "asturias", and two remixes from Casey MQ, and Pomme & Danny L Harle.[42]

She appeared on Flume's Palaces album in May 2022, on the song "Highest Building". She supported him on the album's tour through the United States.[43]

2024–present: Choke Enough

In 2024, Mayniel began talking about a potential new project, before releasing a first single "Family and Friends" in September 2024, accompanied by a music video directed by Gil Gharbi.[44] This track also included additional vocals from Casey MQ, Cecile Believe and Zsela.[45] Only a month later, in October 2024, a double A-side single containing the tracks "Obvious" and "Harvest Sky" was released, the latter of which featured Underscores, an American hyperpop artist.[46] This was followed only a month later with a fourth promotional track titled "Choke Enough", accompanied by an announcement for an album of the same name, later released on February 7, 2025, on the French label Because Music.[47] The singles "Take Me by the Hand" featuring Bladee, and "Blade Bird" were also released to promote the album.[48]

The album charted in several countries, including France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.[49][50] The album was also critically well-received, with Pitchfork writing "the French electronic pop darling presents a twilit fusion of Y2K worship, Baroque polyphony, and elegant, opaque ambiance".[3] Paste Magazine praised Mayniel for her use of field recordings and nostalgia-based musicianship.[51]

In May 2025, she was announced as a supporting act for the Esch-sur-Alzette date on Lorde's Ultrasound World Tour,[52] however the concert was postponed due to illness[53] without Oklou as an opener for the rescheduled date.

In July 2025, Mayniel released remixes of select tracks from the album, featuring remixes by Jamesjamesjames, Malibu, Nick Léon Broward, and Aaron Hibell.[54]

In October 2025, she released a song "Viscus" with British avant-pop musician FKA twigs. This was followed by an announcement of a deluxe edition of Choke Enough, titled Choke Enough: Expansion Pack. This version, released on October 30, 2025, featured four new songs, including "Viscus".[55] In October 2025, it was also announced via X that Mayniel is featured on the remix of British pop singer-songwriter PinkPantheress's "Girl Like Me", appearing on the remix album Fancy Some More.[56]

In November 2025, she released a single titled Crystallise My Tears with British music producer Danny L Harle and English singer MNEK.

In 2026, she was announced as a member of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival Critics' Week jury.[57]

Personal life

In a February 2025 interview with Stereogum, Mayniel revealed that she was pregnant.[58] In June 2025, she announced the birth of her child.[59]

Discography

Albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
FRA
[49]		BEL
(FL)
[50]		BEL
(WA)
[60]		UK
[61]		SCO
[62]
Choke Enough80801618312

Mixtapes

TitleMixtape details
Galore

EPs

TitleEP details
Avril
(as Loumar)
  • Released: 17 June 2014
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
First Tape
  • Released: 23 November 2015
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download, cassette
For the Beasts
(with Casey MQ)
  • Released: 6 December 2017
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
The Rite of May
  • Released: 16 March 2018
  • Label: NUXXE
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Galore Anniversary
  • Released: 13 October 2021
  • Label: Because Music, TaP Records
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles

TitleYearAlbumLabel
"Chrysalis"2014AvrilSelf-released
"Friendless"2018The Rite of MayNUXXE
"They Can't Hear Me"
"Friendless"
(Sega Bodega Piano Version)		rowspan="5"
"Forever"2019Because Music · TaP Records
"Toyota"2020
"Entertnmnt"
"SGSY"
"Unearth Me"Galore
"God's Chariots"
"Galore (French Version)"
(with Pomme and Danny L Harle)		2021Galore Anniversary
"Family and Friends"2024Choke Enough
"Harvest Sky"
(featuring Underscores)
"Obvious"
"Choke Enough"
"Take Me by the Hand"
(featuring Bladee)		2025
"Blade Bird"
"Viscus"
(featuring FKA Twigs)		Choke Enough (Deluxe)

Remixes

TitleArtist(s)Year
"Door"Caroline Polachek2020
"Fever"Dua Lipa featuring Angèle
"Les cours d'eau"Pomme2021
"Rainbow"Bladee and Mechatok
"Girl Like Me"PinkPantheress2025

Guest appearances

TitleYearArtist(s)Album
"Bloom Doom"2016John VitesseClub Hexagon, Vol. 1
"Haku"Boss Rush
"Météo"2018Myth SyzerBisous
"Xternal Locus"Chynna
"Baby Gurl"Zuukou MayzieJ.M.U.A.Z
"Raising Hell"2020Sega BodegaSalvador
"Komodo"Reestablishing Connection
"Babygirl"Casey MQBabycasey
"Empty Lightning"2021WoesumBlue Summer
"Being Harsh (Oklou Cover)"A. G. CookApple vs. 7G
"Bunny"MISOGI
"What About Us (oklou's cover)"Casey MQBabycasey: Ultra
"☆"NamasendaUnlimited Ammo
"Highest Building"2022FlumePalaces
"Le Tombeau des lucioles"Zuukou MayzieLe film: le commencement
"The Make Believe"2024Casey MQLater that day, the day before, or the day before that

Tours

Headlining

  • 2025 Europe and US tour (2025)[63][64]
  • 2026 US tour (2026)[65]

Supporting

References

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