Review: "I Can Tell a Lie" - MIIA
- Azalea Withrow
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
"I Can Tell a Lie" is the second single off Norwegian pop artist MIIA's debut album, Huldra. The album is inspired by the fantastical, rooted in sounds reminiscent of Norwegian folklore. Exploring the point of view of a lover who knows they are the one drifting from the relationship, the song is honest and melancholic. In the singer's own description, "The lyrics are about self-sabotage, regret, and holding onto beauty even after love is lost." The entanglement of atmospheric, instrumental sounds with vulnerable lyrics holds the poetry of this musical tale.
Haunting melodies and the electronic-heavy beat give this single a sound evocative of a 2010s hit, dashed with whimsical touches of folk that bring forth the fantastical element. MIIA's strong vocals and unique production choices keep the balance between the song's emotional weight and rhythmic engagement. Grounded in the internal conflict of the singer, the tension builds progressively and fades to indicate dissonance. Although the tempo is brisk, the key and instrumentation make the space for emotional impact that is delivered in full by MIIA's honest lyrics and bare vocals. The production favors electronic textures that unexpectedly enhance the elements of folklore sound, while maintaining the juxtaposing modern pop soundscape.
The self-described "melancholic pop artist" MIIA made a name for herself with the single "Dynasty," which premiered on Billboard and quickly climbed into the top 5 of major playlists like New Music Friday. The track amassed over one million streams in just 23 days and has since surpassed 325 million on Spotify, establishing MIIA as a powerful new voice in music. Since then, the singer/songwriter has matured into a new sound, polished in her upcoming debut album Huldra. The Norwegian artist has released two singles from the album thus far, "When I Let You Go" and "I Can Tell A Lie." Huldra will be released in 2026, marking the beginning of a new era for MIIA's sound.
Written By Azalea Withrow
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