Norwegian singer-songwriter Miriam Kjølen released her debut EP as Mialuna, A Better Version Of Me, on 10 October 2026, aligning its release with World Mental Health Day. The EP emerged from eight reflective years following her tenure in the duo Mhoo, a period shaped by academic pursuits, raising twins, the pandemic, and a move to Jeløya after performing over a thousand shows across Europe, the US, Russia, and Brazil, where Mhoo shared stages with First Aid Kit, Jeff Beck, and Jethro Tull. Kjølen resurfaced in spring 2026 with what Ballade described as a melancholy return, assembling a circle of musicians and presenting songs that had evolved over time. The project occupies orchestral Nordicana, blending close folk songwriting with gospel harmonies that evoke a sense of belonging rather than declaration.
The title track, ‘A Better Version Of Me’, begins with the haunting simplicity of a lone harmonium and Kjølen’s voice, sending a reflective spell over the listener. As the song progresses, delicate finger picked guitar, a faint kick drum, and the warmth of a Hammond organ gradually join in, lifting the music from quiet introspection to a more vivid, hopeful space. When the song dips into its darker moments, a choir of harmonies rises up, echoing the heaviness of shared burdens. Across the EP, each track journeys through loss, self-doubt, and regret, ultimately turning towards restoration and the strength found in moving on.
Co-produced with Terje Johannesen, the EP maintains an intimacy that captures the subtle spaces between words, while allowing the arrangements to expand organically. Miriam Kjølen shared: “It’s about piecing yourself back together and finding the light further down the road. Life’s lessons lie in its challenges.”
Tracklist
A Better Version Of Me
Does My Heart Even Know
I Never Meant To Let You Down
Snow
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