Can love be a crime? That's the central inquisitive seduction theme of pop singer LU KALA's new single, "Criminal." The Toronto-raised songwriter felt like she was walking into "a different era" when she wrote the track. "'Criminal' is the very first song I wrote this year," she tells PAPER. "I usually stay far away from anything '80s leaning, but this was the first time I chose to STFU and just go along with the vibe in the room. I remember free styling wee-ooh, wee-ooh and everyone losing their minds and that moment is when I felt like 'Criminal' could really be something special."
The song kicks off with a building dance beat, as LU KALA sings, "If your love is ride or die/ I'll give you 25 to life." "This song feels different than what I’ve put out in the past," she says. "It feels sexy, a little edgy even. Everything I’ve done always has this pink sparkle on it, but I see hues of red and black and deeper colors when I think of 'Criminal.' This is essentially a LU KALA love song, or shall I say lust song?"
"We all have an inner criminal in us, we just need to meet our match to bring it out of us," LU continues. "I’m someone who never breaks character or bows down, but I have been with the sort of person who makes me want to break all rules and do some things I normally wouldn’t do. Everybody has someone who brings out their bad side and 'Criminal' is about someone who brought out mine.”
“Criminal” is just the latest in sensational pop drops from LU, who has been gaining notoriety in her home territory with chart-topping hits like “Who’s Gonna” and “Hotter Now,” which have both made it to Top 40 spots on Canadian radio. She even nabbed the “Rising Star Award” this year from Billboard Canada. She first broke on the scene with her viral anthem “Pretty Girl Era,” and has been honing her distinctive sound ever since. With an eye towards seeing"more girls feel like they can do the same, whatever the genre, no matter their race,” we're excited to see what LU creates next.
Photography: Kevin Hernandez
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