As an avid follower of emerging francophone artists, I find myself captivated by the enigmatic Miki. Fresh off her collaboration with Metronomy, Miki has just dropped two new tracks, further cementing her status as a rising star. But with her sudden surge in popularity, the question arises: is Miki an industry plant?

Miki, a 24-year-old Franco-Korean artist, recently collaborated with Metronomy on “Contact High” alongside Faux Real. Now, she’s back solo with “Graou,” a double single featuring “Jtm encore,” an entrancing hyperpop track, and “Échec et mat,” where her offbeat vocal placement takes center stage. According to her press release, Miki constructs her sound by “tinkering with sounds and distorting her voice,” creating a powerful megaphone for her intimate, unfiltered writing.

Her DIY aesthetic is evident in her work, giving her music an authenticity that resonates with listeners. Miki’s visual style, seemingly handcrafted and intentionally rough around the edges, complements her hypnotic flow and punchy electro beats. Her latest clips, including a fixed-plan version and a street-shot sequence, showcase her playful yet controlled approach to her art.

Born Mikaela Duplay, Miki’s background is as eclectic as her music. She’s roamed from Luxembourg to London, South Korea, and finally Paris, where she now expresses herself through a blend of contemporary pop. Since 2020, Miki has embraced a DIY ethos, involving family and friends in her creative process, which is reflected in the raw, second-degree humor of her work.

Miki’s music often explores themes of love in various forms—failed, impossible, distant, and forgotten—set against a backdrop of contrasting colors and joy. Drawing inspiration from artists like Rosalía, Charli XCX, and Dua Lipa, Miki navigates the pop landscape with a blend of mischief and prodigious talent. Not only does she perform, but she also directs her own music videos, solidifying her role as a multifaceted artist.

Her journey began with early DIY releases like “On my own” and “A song 4 U,” and a short film titled “Devï: le commencement.” Balancing music and film, Miki’s artistic journey naturally merged these two disciplines. She explains, “I’ve been making music since I was six… but I never thought of it as a career. I studied cinema to become a film director, always composing music for my films and directing my clips. These two worlds naturally came together.”

Miki’s breakout came with “Rules,” followed by collaborations with Studio Milton on “Sugar Rush” and “Anymore.” Her signature style—mixing French and English to narrate personal stories—was solidified with “Misunderstood,” a collaboration with producer Lucas Simon. This track, which blends old school and contemporary influences, marked her as an artist to watch.

Her recent releases, “Dis, quand reviendras tu?” and “She Don’t Want to Dance,” produced with Thomas Guerlet, have been met with acclaim, further establishing her electro-pop credentials. With her debut EP “4X,” Miki offers a taste of her musical universe, ranging from classic pop to minimal electronic tracks.

The song “4X” is accompanied by electro-pop songs like “Rêves, rêves, rêves, rêves…” and “Rêves encore,” showcasing her ability to balance sultry sensuality with vocal sweetness, reminiscent of Angèle, and an aesthetic akin to francophone phenomena like Kalika or Yoa. Miki’s music, infused with personal narratives and surreal worlds, often blurs the line between innocence and the uncanny, filled with double meanings and layered readings.

Her live performances, spanning Paris, Nantes, Charleroi, Luxembourg, and beyond, highlight her evolution as a performer. Miki’s relationship with the stage is almost selfish, she admits, embracing mistakes and relishing each performance, whether in an empty hall in Belgium or a packed venue in Paris.

So, is Miki an industry plant? Her rise might seem sudden, but her journey is marked by a genuine DIY spirit and a deeply personal connection to her art. Whether orchestrated or organic, Miki’s talent and unique voice in the pop landscape are undeniable. As I follow her burgeoning career, I can’t help but be intrigued by her next move.