Kalulu, real name Marinka Stam, is a Rotterdam, Netherlands-based R&B and pop artist who first hit my radar at the end of last year thanks to her moody team up with Holyoke, Videodisks. The track sits at the centre of her new five-track EP, each song a collaboration. It’s called Featuring.

By Graeme Smith

Holyoke is not only a musical collaborator of Marinka’s, but her partner too, and features on two of the EP’s tracks, including opener When Everything Falls. The track was written while the two were taking long walks during the first COVID lockdown back in 2020. Against a backdrop of grief and uncertainty, the pair were able to grasp the positives, including their chance to spend quality time together.

‘Connection’ is a theme of the EP, not just through the literal artist connections it exhibits, but its composition and lyrical make up. When Everything Falls is the first case in point, bringing together disparate genre influences that include electronic experimentation and pop melodies, with relatable lyrics to create something that feels universal.

I Bought You Flowers continues the theme, though more specifically romantic connection (or rather lack of it). It’s a subtle piece of R&B that features Leon den Engelsen. A stripped-back verse gives way to a lush and textured chorus that is somehow both smooth and discordant. It’s a highlight.

Videodisks feels like a familiar friend at the heart of the EP. Its rich electronic layers and use of borrowed ambient audio and strategic silence makes it a feast for the ears. Emotionally it’s a swirl of sadness and nostalgia.

Slow-Mo sees Kalulu collaborating with Wannes Salomé. It gives us a different dimension to her sound, bringing urgent percussion and a fuzzy bass textures. The EP then closes with another Wannes Salomé feature. Comfort is somewhat softer but no less vibrant.

There’s not many out there like Kalulu. With a unique approach to familiar genres, she’s bringing a lot to the world of music, and has been doing so since 2016. This new EP sees her make some inspired collaborations who each come with a voice of their own, giving a varied yet cohesive taste of experimental R&B. If that’s your thing, then Featuring is a must-listen. You can check out the full EP below.