Seamlessly blending afrobeat and soul tendencies into a rich and cascading palette of warmth, British Nigerian singer-songwriter LULU. possesses a star quality that feels raw and authentic. In the past 12 months, the young artist has begun picking up acclaim with the release of singles like “Save Me” and “Yesterdays” with South African quintet The Joy. Now, she’s shared her debut EP “Dear Disorientated Soul”.
The projects near 20 minute run time flies by, with each kaleidoscopic cut flowing into each other seamlessly. The production is sharp and elegant, with LULU.’s translucent vocals taking centre stage, gliding atop the bright instrumental soundscapes effortlessly. A fabulous introduction to the scene, the EP promises a bountiful artistic journey to come.
We spoke to LULU. about the essence of her sound, her cultural identity, and her debut EP.
Listen to “Dear Disorientated Soul”…
Read the full EP…
Hey LULU.! How has your year been so far?
The year so far has been unreal, with so many firsts and so much to celebrate. From supporting Olivia Dean to performing at Great Escape Fest—my first festival—the year is proving that the possibilities are endless, and I’m all here for it.
What are your musical origins? How did you first develop your interest and nurture your talent?
It pretty much starts with my dad but also growing up in a Pentecostal church, where he played from time to time. Every Sunday, without fail, we would travel from Southeast to North London in my dad’s 8-seater van, and he would always be playing old CDs in the car. He could go from playing Ayefele to Bob Marley & The Wailers to Cheryl Cole. It was so random, but it was a testament to his love for music.
How would you define the essence of your sound and approach?
I would say it’s a fusion of Afrobeats and Soul. I need a good rhythm to stirr up some melodies and then the Soul is always delivered through the messaging and tone.
How important to you is it to convey your personal and cultural identity through your music?
It’s extremely important to me because music is an extension of who I am, and that’s a mix of where I come from, my life experiences, and everything I believe in. So if the music doesn’t touch on these things, then is it really my music?
Congrats on your debut EP! How are you feeling about the release, now the dust has settled a little?
I feel relieved but also extremely grateful. This time last year, I hadn’t even released anything and was just eager to get my first single, “Save Me,” out. Now, I have a whole EP to my name, and it’s just beautiful to trace all the songs back to a time in my life and reflect on it through the music.
What was the process of creating the EP? What was the most difficult part of putting it together?
It was definitely a testing process, and the hardest part was falling out of love with a song I was so sure I wanted on the project. That happened so often that I wondered if I would even finish it. I stopped listening to music altogether because I was getting overstimulated, and very quickly the music went from feeling fun to feeling uninspiring. But we made it in the end. However, I learned how to give myself grace because I had never made an EP before, and I would say in the end, I did a pretty decent job.
Sonically, what inspired your choices on the project?
– Asa – “Satan Be Gone” inspired “Save Me”
– Nina Simone – “Feeling Good” inspired “Never Done”
– Teni – “How” and Cleo Sol – “Love Will Lead You There” inspired “Home”
– Omah Lay – “Soso” and Labrinth – “Let the Sun Shine” inspired “Free Yourself”
– D’banj – “Why Me” inspired “Why Me”
– Teni – “Hustle” inspired “Let Go”
What is the EP’s perspective? What are you saying, in terms of themes?
The main themes were probably – Identity, Loneliness, Relationships and Self-Discovery.
What’s your favourite tune on the new EP? Why?
I would say free yourself – the interlude, I get in my head too much and it was the song that reminded me to just chill and have fun, and be present.
What’s to come from you this year?
Hopefully some music that provokes a little bit of movement, a good two-step and head bop action.
What are some of your long term plans?
I’d love to get into production, and finally learn how to play the keys just in time for my headline at the Sydney Opera House – God willing !!