A Chat with MIIA (01.06.26)
Norwegian alt-pop artist MIIA has built a reputation for turning raw emotion into cinematic soundscapes, and her latest single, ‘Necessary Evil’, takes that approach in a bold new direction. Blending UK garage influences, sleek electronic production, and deeply personal storytelling, the track balances dancefloor energy with emotional depth. We’re catching up with MIIA to discuss the song’s creation, its themes of growth and vulnerability, and the evolving sound that continues to set her apart.
OSR: ‘Necessary Evil’ feels like a major sonic shift for you. What inspired you to explore UK garage, speed garage, and bassline influences at this point in your artistic journey?
MIIA: Yes, it is quite a shift! ‘Necessary Evil’ is the side of huldra (my debut album due in July) that’s upbeat and “high energy”, but there are also songs on this album that are quite the opposite. I think my new music definitely is reflecting the fact that I’ve been listening to so many different (mostly female) artists the last couple of years; I mean, everything from Yebba, to Faouzia, to Tate McRae, to Pinkpanthress. The instrumental track for ‘Necessary Evil’ specifically was brought to me by my uncle and long-time musical partner Joachim. I immediately loved it, and thought it was super fresh and interesting.
OSR: Your music has always carried a strong emotional intensity, but this track channels that emotion into a club-driven sound. How did you balance vulnerability with high-energy production?
MIIA: Thank you, and yes, I absolutely love this type of duality! Artists like Tove Lo or Charli XCX, who tend to sing these honest, emotional lyrics over a dance beat, have inspired me to push myself to go a bit out of my comfort zone and try new things. I think ‘Necessary Evil’ really suited these unfiltered lyrics. I love that the verses are soft and kinda modern and snappy, while the hook is “big”, melodic and with a dramatic feel to it. We wrote ‘Necessary Evil’ with my good friend and brilliant writer Brandon Colbein. He gets me, and I can tell him anything. ‘Necessary Evil’ is one of the most brutally honest songs I’ve ever written, and I am thankful to have been able to write it with Brandon and Joachim. They’ve both been my close friends for so long, and they always got my back.
OSR: The title ‘Necessary Evil’ is incredibly provocative. What does that phrase personally mean to you, and was there a specific moment or experience that sparked the song?
MIIA: It is pretty much in your face, right? So. I was in a relationship for almost 13 years. It was the most beautiful thing. I thought I would be with this person ’til death. But I have, like everyone, had my “demons”. And I’ve worked hard to find the best version of myself. Unfortunately, in my own process of doing much inner work and making mistakes on the way, I ended up hurting my best friend. I realized, first and foremost, after many years of letting shame eat me up from inside, that I finally loved myself, for the first time really. I felt free. And then, I fell in love with someone else, while I was in this relationship. So it had to end ugly. No matter how much it hurt. I had to choose what was best for me – a Necessary Evil.
OSR: You reunited with Joachim Rygg (JR), the producer behind ‘Dynasty’, for this release. How has your creative chemistry evolved since your breakout era?
MIIA: Joachim introduced me to the music industry – he saw my talent and was the first to give me a chance to sing in a studio. I am forever grateful to him, and also, we just love working together! And spend time together! I think the sound we’ve created together now, with this album, Joachim and I, and my other producer Benjamin Fahre, is very unique. Joachim and I had some years where we fell out, but we found our way back to each other. And now, that I am the artist I’ve always wanted to be really, I feel like I have so much more to say, in every step of the creative process. And both Joachim and Benjamin give me a lot of space when it comes to production. After all, I am the artist, and I need to feel that the music we are making is aligned with my vision as a whole.
OSR: There’s a strong sense of tension throughout the track between desire and self-respect, comfort and honesty. Were there any lyrics in particular that were difficult for you to write or confront emotionally?
MIIA: It was all difficult really. But I deeply believe that honesty is the way. It took time to get to here, where I am wide open and being completely honest with myself and everyone. I have forgiven myself for all my “mistakes” (I don’t really like that word). Maybe I’d rather call them bad choices. I don’t think a single human being has ever gone through life without making some bad choices. What matters then is how you deal with the consequences of those choices. I feel like part of my purpose in this life is to show others that they CAN love themselves. I see myself as kind of a healer in that way. But to truly love yourself, you need to confront the darkest parts of yourself. The only way is through.
OSR: ‘Dynasty’ became such a defining moment in your career and continues to resonate globally years later. Did the success of that song create any pressure while creating this new era of music?
MIIA: In creating this new era of music, no, not for me. I have never felt more free whilst making music than I have making this album. I used to let the success of that song put a lot of pressure on me. ‘Dynasty’ was such a crazy breakthrough – I don’t even think I realized at the time. Suddenly I was competing with the biggest artists in the world. Every major label was calling us. Rihanna’s team even wanted the song, and we said no. It was wild. And I was just 16, you know, very vulnerable. I had my issues, and absolutely no healthy ways of dealing with my shit. So when things went so crazy, well, at first, with ‘Dynasty’, and then it completely stopped, that was very hard. A doubt had been planted in me that it took years and years to undo. I am very proud of how far I have come.
OSR: Your upcoming debut album, Huldra, draws inspiration from Scandinavian folklore. How does ‘Necessary Evil’ connect to the wider themes and emotional world of the album?
MIIA: Love this question! Yes, so Huldra is typical for my home country, Norway. She is a mysterious, beautiful creature who lives in the wild, outside the rules of society. She’s stronger and more beautiful than any female human, but she has a cow’s tail and a hollow back. In the stories about her, she’s often been painted as dangerous, luring men in with her irresistible voice and holding them captive. It is said that those who follow Huldra into her forest will never be seen again. Huldra is obviously a wild woman archetype, and that is why I “made her” the concept for my debut album.
I’ve been fascinated by Huldra for as long as I can remember. I’ve felt a closeness to her, but also been scared of her. As I got older, it became clear as to why. Huldra was always feared because she couldn’t be controlled and for her powers. For years I was afraid of myself too, both my shadow sides and my powers. I was afraid to do wrong, or to take up “too much” space. All I wanted was to do good, be a good girl. A “perfect woman”. But such a thing does not exist. So ‘Necessary Evil’, and the whole album, is about allowing ourselves (everyone, but perhaps especially women) to be flawed and open about our darkness, but at the same time celebrate our own unique light. It’s a journey toward self-love, freedom, and the death of shame. I want to inspire others to own their story, even the ugliest parts.
OSR: Your fans, the ‘Beautiful Creatures’, have built a deeply emotional connection with your music over the years. How have those relationships shaped your confidence in being so open and honest in your songwriting?
MIIA: I love my beautiful creatures so much!!! They are incredibly kind souls. I talk to them every day, mostly on Instagram, but also on YT and TikTok. They are non-judgmental people. I know that they love me for my honesty, and I feel lucky to have them in my life. They absolutely make it easier to be this open, because that is also how they are with me. They share their deepest thoughts and feelings with me, their life stories and their secrets. In these kinds of conversations, I deeply believe we grow as humans.
OSR: The production on ‘Necessary Evil’ feels cinematic yet designed for the dancefloor at the same time. When you were creating the track, did you imagine a specific atmosphere, place, or visual world for listeners to experience?
MIIA: This might be more of a question for Joachim, but yes, his (and mine) expression is often very cinematic, so I think it’s so cool that he’s managed to merge that with a dance floor vibe! Many more songs like this to come on the album btw. For the visuals for this song, Joachim and I were, as we often do, imagining the same. This happens a lot. We often talk about how our souls feel, much like twin souls sometimes or even like we’re the same person or have the same brain. Anyways, we were both seeing Huldra in a kinda alternate universe. Like, in a cartoony world, or like in a game, searching for her truth.
OSR: You’ve described your artistic universe as a safe space where contradictions can coexist. In a world that often pressures people to simplify themselves, how important is it for you to create music that embraces emotional complexity?
MIIA: Yes. With everything I’ve said throughout this interview, I think by now you know it is everything to me.
Many thanks to MIIA for speaking with us. Find out more about MIIA on her official website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Spotify
