LØLØ

Early life and musical beginnings

Lauren Mandel was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, where she grew up with a younger sister and a younger brother. Her early artistic influences were eclectic, ranging from idolizing performer Shirley Temple and studying tap dancing with dreams of Broadway to developing a deep appreciation for music through her family's CD collection. This collection included everything from the Wizard of Oz soundtrack to the music of Hilary Duff and the punk rock band Green Day. In the ninth grade, Mandel began taking guitar lessons partly to keep pace with her younger sister's musical pursuits. Her guitar teacher, Elliott Bernstein, taught her to play songs by Green Day, her favourite band at the time, and insisted she write her own original material, providing crucial early encouragement. She started performing at open mic nights around Toronto, initially using the stage name Lo Lo before stylizing it to LØLØ to distinguish herself from American singer Lolo. Her early performances at these venues helped her develop the stage presence and direct connection with audiences that would later define her live shows.

Career development and breakthrough

LØLØ independently released her debut single "Yours" in 2018, which reached number 21 on Canadian radio and led to her being named an IHeartRadio Future Star. Her debut EP, 'Sweater Collection', followed in May 2019 and established her initial sound of heartfelt lyrics set against catchy melodies. That same year, she released a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark", which later amassed over 29 million streams on Spotify and introduced her music to a broader audience. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, she gained significant traction on TikTok by posting alternate point-of-view covers of popular songs by artists like Taylor Swift's "Betty", The Kid Laroi's "Without You", and Adele's "Someone Like You". In June 2020, she released the single "Dead Inside" and filmed an exclusive bedroom performance for Ones to Watch, followed by the singles "Hate U" and "Dear First Love," which were initially announced as part of a sophomore EP titled 'Permanent Damage' that was not released. In February 2021, she signed a publishing deal with APG and released the single "lonely & pathetic". A major career step came in October 2021 when she signed with Hopeless Records and released the single "u look stupid". Her collaboration with Maggie Lindemann on "debbie downer" in February 2022, a song and music video referencing the 2000 film Bring It On, further expanded her reach. She released two more singles, "junkie", whose video pays homage to the crime drama Breaking Bad, and "THE FLOOR IS LAVA!!", before her third EP, 'Debbie Downer', arrived in September 2022 via Hopeless Records.

Album releases and touring

LØLØ's debut studio album, 'falling for robots & wishing i was one', was released in June 2024 through Hopeless Records, produced by Mike Robinson. The album was preceded by a series of singles including "2 of us" in January 2024, "poser" in February 2024, and "u & the tinman" in April 2024. In September 2024, she contributed a pop-punk cover of "Let It Go" for the Disney tribute compilation album 'A Whole New Sound'. A deluxe edition of her debut album was released in February 2025. Her second full-length album, 'god forbid a girl spits out her feelings!', was released in April 2026. She has been an active touring artist, both as a support act and a headliner. Her touring history includes a wide range of support slots and her own headlining runs across North America and Europe.

• Support for Simple Plan and New Found Glory's "Pop Punk's Still Not Dead" tour (September 2021)
• Support for New Found Glory, Less Than Jake, and Hot Mulligan (United States, October 2021)
• Support for Leah Kate's Alive & Unwell Tour (October-November 2022)
• Support for Against the Current (UK & Europe, November-December 2023)
• Support for Jxdn's When the Music Stops Tour (July 2024)
• Support for Simple Plan's "Bigger Than You Think" tour (August-September 2025)
• Headlining "U Tour Me On" tour (UK/Europe October-November 2025 & June 2025. US/Canada February-March 2025)
• Headlining "God Forbid a Girl Goes on Tour" (North America & UK/EU, 2026)

She has also performed at several prominent music festivals, building her live reputation. Her festival appearances include Lollapalooza and Sad Summer Festival in 2022, the Slam Dunk Festival in May 2023, and the All Your Friends festival in August 2024. Her live shows are noted for high energy, audience interaction, and occasional special guests, such as Tom Higgenson of the Plain White T's joining her on stage in Toronto in 2026 for a performance of Hey There Delilah. The setlist for her 2026 headlining tour included songs like The Devil Wears Converse, Pretty Little Wreck, God Forbid a Girl Spits Out Her Feelings!, Debbie Downer, Me With No Shirt On, Lobotomy and U, Delusional Darling, Hurt Less, Dumbest Girl In The World, Wish I Was a Robot, and Hot Girls In Hell.

Musical style and influences

LØLØ's music has been categorized under a wide spectrum of genres including alternative pop, indie pop, alternative rock, pop rock, pop-punk, grunge, bedroom pop, and bubblegum pop. Critics and listeners have compared her sound to artists like Green Day, Avril Lavigne, Paramore, Renforshort, Charlotte Sands, Upsahl, Wens, Liz Lokre, and BRDGS. She cites a diverse range of musical inspirations, from pop punk and alternative rock acts like Green Day, Avril Lavigne, Simple Plan, and Weezer to pop icons such as Hilary Duff and Taylor Swift, as well as songwriters like Julia Michaels and Alanis Morissette, the band Boygenius, and Broadway musicals. Regarding her own genre, Mandel has expressed that she feels her music has multiple sides, blending upbeat pop rock with more introspective singer-songwriter elements. She has stated that everyone always calls it pop punk when she does not think that it is pop punk at all, but she is fine with people calling her music whatever they want. She has also described her own songwriting as psychotically sentimental, a phrase that captures the intense emotional honesty in her lyrics. In discussing her debut album, she observed that she feels things too deeply, which complicates relationships but aids her songwriting, and the album explores what it means to be human in the modern world.

Notable collaborations and recognition

Throughout her career, LØLØ has engaged in several high-profile collaborations that have connected her with different segments of the music scene. In October 2021, she teamed up with Simple Plan for an Amazon Music-exclusive 20th anniversary re-recording of their song "I'm Just a Kid". In March 2023, she collaborated with Travis Mills' band Girlfriends on the single "5, 6, 7, 8", which was produced by John Feldmann, The Futuristics, and Brock. Her 2026 single "delusional darling" featured artist Ella Red. A notable live collaboration occurred during her 2026 Toronto headlining show when Tom Higgenson of the Plain White T's joined her on stage to perform their song together after she had gained attention for a TikTok cover from the character Delilah's perspective. She has also been recognized by various media outlets for her impact on alternative music. Her notable accolades and media features include the following.

• Named an IHeartRadio Future Star (2018)
• Featured in People Magazine's "Emerging artists making their mark" (September 2020)
• Included on Kerrang!'s "The Sound of 2024" list (January 2024)
• Featured by publications including Alternative Press, 1883 Magazine, tmrw, and PAPER

PAPER magazine attested that LØLØ is full of the anger, angst, cynicism, and depression that makes a proper pop punk artist. This highlights the raw emotional core of her work. Her music often explores themes of heartbreak and emotional intensity. She has described her own music as psychotically sentimental.

Discography and streaming highlights

LØLØ's discography comprises two studio albums, four EPs, and numerous singles. Her debut EP, 'Sweater Collection', was released in May 2019. This was followed by the 'overkill' EP in 2021 and the 'Debbie Downer' EP in September 2022. Her debut album, 'falling for robots & wishing i was one', arrived in June 2024, with a deluxe edition following in February 2025. Her second album, 'god forbid a girl spits out her feelings!', was released in April 2026. Several of her songs have achieved significant streaming success, demonstrating her reach. Her cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark" has accumulated over 29 million streams on Spotify. The song "u turn me on (but u give me depression)" has garnered more than 16 million streams on the same platform. Other notable singles include "faceplant" and "hot girls in hell" from 2023, "2 of us" and "poser" from 2024, and "zombie" and "american zombie" from 2026. Her music videos, such as those for "omg" and "faceplant", have also contributed to her visual artistry and online presence.

In addition to her own releases, LØLØ has been featured on other projects. In September 2024, she covered Let It Go for the compilation album A Whole New Sound. Her career shows a clear evolution from independently releasing her debut single Yours in 2018 to releasing major label albums. She released her debut album Falling for Robots and Wishing I Was One in June 2024 and her second album God Forbid a Girl Spits Out Her Feelings! in April 2026. This consistent output has been supported by a strong touring schedule including opening for other acts and headlining her own tours.

Personal life and incident

In March 2023, LØLØ suffered a serious fall that resulted in broken bones in her nose, chin, and jaw, requiring four stitches and surgical implants. The injury left her unable to open her mouth fully for several months during her recovery, impacting her ability to sing and speak normally. This personal ordeal directly inspired her song "faceplant", which she released later that year, turning a difficult experience into creative material. In March 2026, it was reported that she had broken up with her boyfriend. She often incorporates anecdotes from her personal experiences, including relationships and everyday anxieties, into her songwriting and stage banter, contributing to the relatable and confessional nature of her artistry. For example, during her 2026 tour, she introduced the song "Me With No Shirt On" by asking the audience if they had ever sent a naughty picture, sharing that she had done so and wrote a song about it. Her ability to connect personal vulnerability with universal themes is a defining aspect of her work.

Live performance and audience connection

LØLØ's live performances are characterized by high energy, precise vocals, and a strong sense of engagement with her audience. Reviews of her concerts frequently highlight her authentic stage presence and her ability to make fans feel personally connected to the show. Her 2026 headlining tour opener in Toronto was described as having the room filled from top to bottom, with the crowd singing along to every word of songs like Pretty Little Wreck and Debbie Downer. She structures her shows with dynamic pacing, including moments where she performs solo with an acoustic guitar, as with "Me With No Shirt On", before bringing the full band back for louder anthems. Her between-song banter often includes personal stories, self-deprecating humour about her TikTok dancing attempts, and dad jokes, which endears her to the crowd. The surprise appearance of Tom Higgenson during the Toronto show created a memorable moment for attendees. Fan testimonials describe her concerts as an all out amazing performance and note that she interacts with the crowd the whole evening, making the experience feel like a shared party. This direct connection has helped her build a loyal fan base that eagerly attends her tours and festivals. Specific songs that have become staples of her energetic live sets include the following fan favourites.

• Hot Girls In Hell (2023)
• Debbie Downer (2022, with Maggie Lindemann)
• faceplant (2023)
• u turn me on (but u give me depression)
• The Devil Wears Converse
• Dumbest Girl In The World

Her stagecraft involves running out onto the stage to join her band at the start of her shows. For more intimate moments, she straps on an acoustic guitar to perform songs like Me With No Shirt On. She encourages full crowd participation by interacting with the audience throughout the evening. This engaging approach transforms her concerts into energetic and communal events where fans sing along to every word.

Questions about LØLØ

What is LØLØ's real name?

LØLØ's real name is Lauren Mandel. She was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. She adopted her stage name early in her career, initially using 'Lo Lo' before stylizing it to LØLØ to avoid confusion with another singer. She began performing under this name at open mic nights in Toronto before achieving wider recognition.

What are LØLØ's most popular songs?

Some of LØLØ's most streamed songs include her cover of Bruce Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark, which has over 29 million Spotify streams. Her song u turn me on (but u give me depression) has over 16 million streams. Other popular singles are debbie downer, a collaboration with Maggie Lindemann, and hot girls in hell. Additional notable songs are faceplant, which was inspired by a personal injury, and Hate U.

Has LØLØ toured with any major bands?

Yes, LØLØ has toured extensively as a supporting act for several established bands. She has opened for Simple Plan and New Found Glory on the "Pop Punk's Still Not Dead" tour in 2021, for Leah Kate on the Alive & Unwell Tour in 2022, and for Against the Current in the UK and Europe in 2023. She also supported Jxdn on his 2024 tour and joined Simple Plan again on their 2025 "Bigger Than You Think" tour. She began her own major headlining tour, "God Forbid a Girl Goes on Tour", in 2026.

What record label is LØLØ signed to?

LØLØ is signed to Hopeless Records, a label she joined in October 2021. Her debut album 'falling for robots & wishing i was one' and her second album 'god forbid a girl spits out her feelings!' were released through Hopeless. Prior to this, she had a publishing deal with APG, which she signed in February 2021. Her online presence in 2026 also indicates an association with Fearless Records.

What happened to LØLØ in March 2023?

In March 2023, LØLØ experienced a significant accident where she fell and broke her nose, chin, and jaw. The injuries required medical treatment including four stitches and the insertion of implants. The recovery process was lengthy, leaving her unable to open her mouth properly for several months. She channeled this experience into her music, writing the song "faceplant" about the incident.

What genre of music does LØLØ make?

LØLØ's music has been described as alternative pop, indie pop, alternative rock, pop rock, pop punk, grunge, bedroom pop, and bubblegum pop. Her sound is often compared to artists like Green Day, Avril Lavigne, and Paramore. LØLØ has said she incorporates both upbeat pop rock and more intimate singer songwriter elements into her songs. She has stated that everyone always calls it pop punk, though she does not think that is accurate.

Sources and further reading

• LØLØ (Wikipedia)
• LØLØ Tickets, 2026 to 2027 Concert Tour Dates (ticketmaster.ca)
• Live Review | LØLØ Show in Toronto (Sept 17, 2026) (femmetal.rocks)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-29.