Little Star is all grown up.
While her mother is busy pasting Confessions II posters around the city in the midnight hour, the artist formerly (?) known as Lolahol has been busy in the studio herself preparing her first moves under her actual name.
Well, unless you count the credit for supplying background vocals on her mother’s MDNA Brazil-only promotional single “Superstar,” which…maybe let’s not.
“T Shirt,” out Wednesday (May 27), marks the debut of Lola Leon.
“People keep saying, ‘This is a new era, this is a new era’—I don’t know where that came from! It’s more just about embracing my roots and tapping back in with people who’ve watched me grow over the years. I’m still Lola! Just no more ’hol’—we’re dropping the ’hol,'” she told W Magazine.
The dreamy track was produced by Sega Bodega, frequent collaborator of Lola’s Chemical X collective founder Eartheater, and Sammy Burgess, who previously worked with Lolahol on songs like “Lock&Key” and “Spelling.”
There are traces of Frou Frou / Imogen Heap’s influence floating in between the layered vocals and breathy delivery.
The music video was directed by I Saw the TV Glow cinematographer Eric K. Yue, marking his first music video directing gig since Kelela’s “Rewind” over a decade ago.
Lola offers a glimpse into her inner world in the video: the studio, a night out, even an intimate cameo from her actual grandmother, María León, in her apartment.
I wouldn’t wish the expectations of being heir apparent to the throne on anyone, but it’s exciting to see Lola pave her own path in the music world.
UPDATE: Mother approves.
Photo: Bolade Banjo
Stills: Eric K. Yue
