Her popular EP, The Rite of May, was released in March 2018 on NUXXE, a London-based label. Stand-alone single "Forever" was released in October 2019, with singles "SGSY", "Toyota" (featuring Flavien Berger) and "entertnmnt" (produced with Mura Masa) following it.
In July 2020, she announced her debut mixtape, Galore, due to be released in September 2020. A video for the lead single, "unearth me", directed by Parisian Kevin Elamrani Lince was shared upon announcement.
Working with computers, drum machines, synthesizers and found sounds, she makes music that has been described as "hazy R&B" by Pitchfork. She has previously released some of her self-released work on home-dubbed cassette tapes.
Mayniel grew up in the French countryside, then relocated to Paris and eventually moved to London, where she currently resides. In her Q&A with Dazed, she revealed that her biggest vocal inspirations are Frank Ocean, James Blake, Justin Bieber, SZA, the singer of Wu Lyf, Jhené Aiko, Drake and Palmistry.
She composed an original soundtrack for a computer game called Zone W/O People, created with Parisian artist Krampf, and performed it live with styling by Prada. She has also performed as a DJ as part of the Parisian all-female collective TGAF.
Friendless
Oklou Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I burnt my hands on it
I know how cold your body is
I burnt my feets on it
I know how cold your body is
I burnt my eyes on it
I know how cold your body is
I burnt my heart for it
Well
Sure you made my days soft
Back in the days baby once upon a high
Love, frozen, crystalized my body
I know that you've been baffling so hard that
I couldn't even get it
We wait for a sign or something 'cause we want forever
Promise me that you will never stay away from me
I know how cold your body is
I burnt my hands on it
I know how cold your body is
I burnt my feets on it
I know how cold your body is
I burnt my eyes on it
I know how cold your body is
I burnt my heart for it
Well
Sure I'll take some days off
Do you care? Yeah probably, you're sowing on the way
Seeds, millions, thank you for the gesture
Obviously you're baffling so hard that
I can't even get it
I'm waiting for a sign or something 'cause I know you're clever
Will you say 'I miss you' when I fade away?
I know who you are
I don't wanna go back into mourning
Remember when I said that I've learned many things
But you're the hardest test I've ever seen
You're the hardest that I try to read
The armour has been struggling
Castle's down, volcano's dying
The volcano has turn into ice
I know how cold your body is
I burnt my hands on it
I know how cold your body is
I burnt my feets on it
I know how cold your body is
I burnt my eyes on it
I know how cold your body is
I burnt my heart for it
The lyrics to Oklou's song Friendless describe the pain and longing for someone who has left the singer feeling empty and burnt. The repetition of "I know how cold your body is" emphasizes the numbness and lack of connection the singer feels towards this person. The burning metaphor highlights the intensity of the singer's emotions towards this person, even if it is not reciprocated. The line "Love, frozen, crystalized my body" suggests that the love the singer once felt has now turned into a frozen state of pain and loss.
The second half of the song shifts towards acceptance and possibly moving on. The singer acknowledges that this person may not feel the same way anymore, and the line "Do you care? Yeah probably, you're sowing on the way" shows that they may still have an impact on the singer's life, even if they are not present. However, there is still a sense of hope and longing, as the singer waits for a sign or gesture from this person to show that they still care. The final line "The volcano has turn into ice" reflects a sense of finality and closure towards this relationship, even if it has left the singer feeling burnt and numb.
Line by Line Meaning
I know how cold your body is
I am aware of how unaffectionate and distant you are
I burnt my hands on it
I have hurt myself trying to get close to you
I burnt my feets on it
I have tried to follow you despite the pain you caused me
I burnt my eyes on it
I have struggled to understand you and your behavior
I burnt my heart for it
My love for you has caused me significant pain
Sure you made my days soft
You brought happiness into my life
Back in the days baby once upon a high
We were happy together in the past
Love, frozen, crystalized my body
Your emotional distance has left me feeling numb and frozen
I know that you've been baffling so hard that / I couldn't even get it
Your behavior and feelings are confusing and difficult for me to understand
We wait for a sign or something 'cause we want forever
We are both hoping for a clear indication that our love will last
Promise me that you will never stay away from me
I need your reassurance that you won't leave me alone
Sure I'll take some days off
I'm willing to take a break from trying to understand you
Do you care? Yeah probably, you're sowing on the way
You are likely too busy with your own priorities to think about my feelings
Seeds, millions, thank you for the gesture
Your small kind gestures are appreciated, but they do not make up for your emotional distance
I'm waiting for a sign or something 'cause I know you're clever
I believe that you are intelligent and capable of expressing your true feelings
Will you say 'I miss you' when I fade away?
I am afraid that you will only express your feelings for me when it is too late
I know who you are
I am aware of your true nature
I don't wanna go back into mourning
I do not want to feel the pain of losing you again
Remember when I said that I've learned many things
I have grown and changed, but you have not
But you're the hardest test I've ever seen
Your emotional distance has been the most difficult challenge I have faced
You're the hardest that I try to read
I struggle to understand your true feelings and intentions
The armour has been struggling / Castle's down, volcano's dying / The volcano has turn into ice
My emotional defenses have weakened, and I am now feeling numb and frozen
Contributed by Camilla K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.