MIIA - HULDRA
There is something quietly captivating about an album that feels less like a collection of songs and more like an invitation into another world. On her debut full-length Huldra, Norwegian singer-songwriter MIIA achieves exactly that, weaving Scandinavian folklore into a rich tapestry of atmospheric pop, cinematic songwriting and fearless experimentation. Named after the mythical forest spirit of Nordic legend, the album embraces the mystery, beauty and seduction of its namesake, creating a listening experience that feels as unpredictable as the winding rivers and dense woodlands that inspired it.
From its opening moments, Huldra establishes an immersive sense of place. ‘Real Is Good’ begins with delicate flute melodies that immediately evoke mist-covered forests, while gentle rainfall and understated instrumentation create an atmosphere of fragile serenity. MIIA even breaks the fourth wall, subtly reminding listeners that this is not simply an album but a carefully constructed narrative. It is a restrained opening, yet one that quietly hints at the emotional and sonic storms waiting further ahead.
That promise is fulfilled with ‘I Can Tell a Lie’, one of the record's defining moments. Beginning with the same measured intimacy as its predecessor, the song gradually expands into something far more dramatic. Layer upon layer of instrumentation builds around MIIA's commanding vocal, while haunting siren-like textures lend the track an unmistakably cinematic quality. It perfectly encapsulates the mystical character of the album, balancing vulnerability with grandeur to create a song that lingers long after its closing notes. It is the kind of track that rewards immediate repetition, revealing new details with every listen.
If the opening pair immerse listeners in folklore and atmosphere, ‘Anything but a Heartbreak’ provides an exhilarating shift in perspective. Bursting with bright hooks and glossy production, it recalls the effortless sophistication of early 2000s dance-pop while retaining MIIA's distinctive artistic identity. There are echoes of Kylie Minogue's golden era throughout its infectious rhythm and polished melodies, offering a welcome moment of lightness before the album drifts once again into quieter emotional territory.
The beautifully understated ‘I'll Be There If You'll Be There’ slows the pace with remarkable grace. Dreamlike and weightless, the song unfolds with a gentle elegance that feels almost aquatic, allowing MIIA's expressive vocal to take centre stage. That sense of fluidity continues throughout much of the album, where shifts in mood never feel abrupt but instead flow naturally from one emotional landscape into another.
The sonic palette broadens considerably with ‘Necessary Evil’, whose synth-driven energy introduces one of the album's boldest stylistic departures. Yet even as the production becomes more expansive, the emotional core remains firmly intact. ‘Be The Light’ strips things back again, relying on resonant percussion and MIIA's striking head voice to create one of the album's most affecting performances. Ironically, despite its hopeful title, this marks the point where Huldra begins its descent into darker emotional territory, with ‘Lullaby’ continuing that thread through beautifully restrained melancholy.
Perhaps the album's emotional centrepiece arrives with ‘When I Let You Go’. Intensely personal and disarmingly honest, the song captures grief with remarkable precision. Its opening verses recount lived experience with almost uncomfortable intimacy before gradually shifting into poetic reflection. The closing section is breathtaking, pairing haunting piano with one of MIIA's finest vocal performances. It is here that the emotional weight of the album lands most profoundly, demonstrating both her technical ability and her gift for deeply affecting storytelling.
The latter half of Huldra continues to surprise without ever losing cohesion. ‘Wonder Why’ introduces subtle R&B influences before ‘Delicious’ returns to shimmering synths and pulsating rhythms. Alongside ‘I'm in Love With You’ and ‘Blood Moon’, these songs explore attraction, desire and temptation through increasingly daring lyricism. The seductive qualities associated with the mythical Huldra become ever more apparent, while recurring ethereal vocal textures reinforce the album's folkloric identity without resorting to cliché.
Closing track ‘Huldrarave’ provides a magnificent conclusion. Opening with delicate guitar and understated vocals that mirror the album's beginning, it offers the calm after the emotional storm before gradually building towards an exhilarating orchestral climax. Strings, flutes, organ and soaring vocal arrangements converge in spectacular fashion, transforming the song into a cinematic finale worthy of the mythology that inspired it. It is a breathtaking conclusion that elevates the entire record and leaves a lasting impression.
As a debut album, Huldra is remarkably assured. MIIA moves effortlessly between shimmering pop, atmospheric electronica, cinematic balladry and moments of understated R&B, all while maintaining a cohesive artistic vision. Her powerful voice proves endlessly adaptable, but it is her fearless creativity and commitment to world-building that truly distinguish the record. Rich in atmosphere, emotionally resonant and consistently inventive, Huldra is an enthralling introduction to an artist whose imagination appears boundless.
Danielle Holian
★★★★★
