Track Review: take me by the hand- Oklou and Bladee

“Take me by the hand /

When the trouble calls our name /

I’ll turn off my head”

Oklou is entrenched in the scene, though you may not know it. She’s released an EP on the record label/artist collective NUXXE (founded by Sega Bodega, Shygirl, and COUCOU CHLOE), and been involved with PC Music: appearing on Namasenda’s Unlimited Ammo, A.G. Cook’s Apple vs, 7G, even remixing Caroline Polachek’s “Door.” She’s also appeared as a collaborator in more mainstream one-offs with her remix of Dua Lipa’s “Fever” and appearance on Flume’s “Highest Building.” Her 2020 track, “God’s Chariots” has even amassed over 8 million streams. Yet, in the space of modern French electronic music, she’s often overlooked.

“take me by the hand” is the fifth lead single off Oklou’s upcoming third studio album, choke enough featuringcollaborator Bladee. While a seemingly unorthodox choice given their disparate approaches to music, Oklou has previously remixed Bladee’s song, “Rainbow,” on the deluxe version of Bladee and Mechatok’s Good Luck. The bubbly backing synths are subtle: entrancing and catchy while creating space for the lead vocals. Bladee’s grittier sound grounds Oklou’s airy lyrics–this isn’t just a song but a conversation of trust between the two. Though previously criticized by Pitchfork as not being “emotive” or “transgressive” enough, “take me by the hand” is an intimate yet danceable track that adds complexity to Oklou’s sound.

Under the label Because Music–home to electronic powerhouses Justice, Uffie, Major Lazer–Oklou’s choke enough is a transition towards a sonic maturity for the French artist. For those interested in exploring this (personally) transgressive project, the full album releases on February 7th.

“Holy inspiration comes /

Through the nerves in this suspension”

RIYL: Ecco2k, Vitesse X, True Blue
FCC: Clean

-DJ matt2matt AKA Matthew Genchev