Nearly a decade after breaking through with her viral hit "Dynasty," Norwegian alt-pop artist MIIA is entering a bold new era. Her latest single, "Necessary Evil," finds the singer-songwriter stepping beyond the atmospheric melancholy that first captivated listeners and into a darker, club-driven sonic landscape. Built on UK garage, bassline, and dance-pop influences, the track pairs skittering rhythms and euphoric electronic production with the emotional honesty that has long defined her work. Produced by Joachim Rygg (JR), the creative force behind "Dynasty," and mixed by renowned engineer Spike Stent, "Necessary Evil" feels both like a reinvention and a natural evolution.
For MIIA, however, the shift is about more than sound. The single arrives as a reflection of years spent healing, growing, and learning to embrace every part of herself. Speaking about the track, she credits her personal journey with giving her the freedom to explore new genres and a more playful creative approach. At its heart, "Necessary Evil" examines the difficult choices that accompany self-discovery, particularly the moments when honesty comes at a painful cost. "Daring to face my demons took time," she explains, reflecting on the experiences that inspired the song. That tension between vulnerability and strength, beauty and imperfection, also forms the foundation of her forthcoming debut album, Huldra, a deeply personal project rooted in Norwegian folklore and a message of self-love, freedom, and what MIIA calls "the death of shame."
“Necessary Evil” marks a new sonic direction, what sparked this shift into a more club-driven sound?
I think the fact that I’ve chosen to heal has allowed me to be much more playful in my music, and dare to explore and mix different genres I love and listen to. "Necessary Evil" is on the more upbeat and "poppy" side of my debut album huldra (due in July), which is about owning your story, even (or perhaps especially) the "ugliest" parts of it. The last couple of years I’ve been so inspired by these unapologetic female artists, like Tove Lo, Charli xcx, Rosalía, Zara Larsson—all badass women who speak their mind and write honest lyrics in an empowering pop sound.
How do you stay emotionally raw while making music designed for the dance floor?
Being vulnerable and strong at the same time comes natural to me. I think this duality is available in all of us—just like it is in nature (which we are all a part of). I hope "Necessary Evil", and the whole album, can help people set themselves free from shame, and start sharing their own, unique light with the world. Dancing and crying can go hand in hand, if you want them to. <3 This duality is all over my album, really. The title is huldra: huldra is a mysterious "woman" from Norwegian folklore, and I "made her" the concept for my debut album because I clearly see huldra as nature. Huldra is stronger and more beautiful than any human female but she has a cow's tail and a hollow back. The stories I would hear about huldra growing up usually painted her as dangerous—as someone who lured people into her forest with her irresistible voice—never to be seen again. This tension between magnificence and danger, creation and destruction, is exactly what gives nature its depth and mystery, and this duality mirrors the essence of huldra.
What does the title “Necessary Evil” mean to you personally?
For almost 13 years I was in an incredibly happy and beautiful relationship. I wanted it to last forever, but came to realize that if we are truly open to life, and to finding our truest selves, we will change over and over again throughout this life. As everyone else I’ve had my "demons". Daring to face them took time, and the worst part was that I ended up hurting my best friend and longtime partner, in the process of becoming a better version of myself. Hurting him was the worst thing I ever did, and you could call it a "necessary evil".
Was there a specific moment that inspired the song’s message about choosing honesty over comfort?
I began doing what I would call "inner work", haha, in 2020. After going to therapy on and off, and coming back to my passion again (music), I realized in 2024, for the first time in my life really, that I actually loved myself. I didn’t feel ashamed anymore. I felt free and happy, not only because of outer circumstances, but within myself. That was when I also realized that I was in love with someone new. The lyrics in the song can reveal the rest of that story
How did working with Joachim Rygg (JR) on this track compare to “Dynasty”?
It’s been similar in the way that both these tracks were pretty much "there" already, when presented to me by Joachim. Not to say the songs were done, but one could hear where they were going a bit. Joachim likes to have something prepared and I usually love everything he brings me. Working together is also the same in the way that we’re still best friends, yet different because we have grown a lot. I also think we understand each other better. We love being in each other's company, both as friends, uncle and niece, and collaborators. What has also evolved over the years is definitely my artistry—I want and need to be more involved in the whole making of the music—every step. I’m an artist with a vision, and it matters to me. I feel lucky to work with my producers Joachim and Benjamin. They’re both amazing, not just as creatives, but as human beings. I couldn’t have asked for better collaborators than them—not to mention all the incredible writers we’ve been working with on this album
What drew you to UK garage and bassline influences?
It was Joachim who brought me the track for "Necessary Evil", which we then began writing on with our good friend Brandon Colbein. I cannot speak for Joachim on his personal inspiration for this track, however, I do know that we’ve both become big fans of Pinkpantheress! I think what draws me to this genre is the intensity, tempo, and that it can feel fun.
How involved are you in shaping the production side of your music?
I would say I am pretty involved. Not hands on producing, but I’m almost always in the room, and I have my clear opinions, inspirations and visions. I really want to try to learn more, and maybe someday be more hands on. I've tried composing a bit of my own vocal here and there, which was fun!
How has your artistry evolved since your debut?
I think in some ways I am the same, but at the same time, I feel like I’m a whole new artist, haha. Melancholic, emotional music has always come very natural to me, even when I was a child. I’ve always loved words and language, writing novels, reading the lyrics in every CD cover I had—but it took years before I actually began writing songs. I had to find the confidence to do that and take myself seriously, so becoming a songwriter is perhaps my biggest evolution so far. Also the fact that I’ve grown up. I was kind when I did "Dynasty", and you didn’t really get to know me through that song. Now I’m a young woman and I know who I am. My singing has also improved so much—I got a lot of help from my amazing vocal coach Maruja Retana. She taught me how not afraid to be afraid, let myself try new things and have FUN, which I think is so so important! I’ve taken control of my career and artist project on a whole—I’m even writing and directing my own music videos now. I am just a storyteller who loves to tell stories through different art forms. And this is something I will keep exploring for sure
What does “Huldra” represent in this next chapter of your career?
Huldra is where you truly get to know me. The artist and the human. And it is the chapter I hope and believe will take my career to a new height, which I have wanted for a long time. Huldra is, to me, the perfect concept, to show who I am. It’s just so me. I'm a nerd, haha. I love everything nature related, myths, history, psychology, and huldra is someone I’ve been fascinated by 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 1. she couldn’t be controlled, and 2. her powers. I also used to be afraid of myself—both my "good" and "bad" qualities. I was afraid to do wrong. All I wanted was to do good, be a good girl, the “perfect woman”. But such a thing does not exist so, the album is about allowing ourselves to be flawed. It’s a journey toward self-love, freedom, and the death of shame. Huldra is not an explanation, but an offering, to celebrate being fully and unapologetically alive. Huldra invites wild self-expression. To stop performing or pleasing, and start existing—raw, messy, real. Even if it scares people.
What do you hope fans (your “Beautiful Creatures”) feel when they hear this track?
Free
How will this new sound translate into your live performances?
This duality we talked about—this is where that truly shines. My live shows are super varied, and I want people to feel like it's a safe space where they can get lost in the music, dance and cry (or both), whatever they need in that moment. I want them to get these "wow" moments, which I know that my music, and I, can give. I feel the sound that Benjamin, Joachim and I have created for huldra is like its own fairytale-meets-modern-life world, which I am obsessed with! There are so many details in this music, and in my voice, that I think sometimes translates even better live. I prefer live music though. Like, Aurora, she is one of my favorites right, and I think everything she does live is just sooo much more magical. I hope she will do a live album some day… Anyways! I can’t wait to bring huldra on my very first tour!!!
What defines this new era of MIIA in one sentence?
"Forgive—forgive myself for everything
The whole world can sit and watch—I have no shame left
I give—I’m giving all my grace to Mother
Now that I know—that I belong—that I am love"
From "huldrarave", which is the last track on the album.
Connect with MIIA: INSTAGRAM
