In the Light of Love

"**In the Light of Love**" (also stylized as "**In The Light Of Love**" and "**In The Light of Love**") is the first extended play released by MIIA. It was released on September 25, 2013.

## Background

MIIA recorded this EP with her uncle Joachim "J Ryggs" Rygg as she was visiting him during the fall of 2011. The songs were written by MIIA and Hillary Bernstine while they were produced by Bernstine's ex-husband and MIIA's uncle Joachim "J Ryggs" Rygg.

MIIA stated the following about the EP in an interview with Real Music Spain:

> "*I was 14 the first time I went to L.A, where I work and record all my music. It was my uncle Joachim JR Rygg, who also is my producer, that gave me the opportunity to live out this dream, and I thank him for that. In the beginning we made music for film and TV. Still I didn’t realize that this was exactly what I really, really wanted to do before* Dynasty *came out. The music before* Dynasty *was the super sweet and “simple” type of pop, which really isn’t “me”. Still the first music I recorded, and later* Dynasty*, all led me to see what kind of music I really wanted to make.*"
>
>

On April 20, 2022, MIIA was interviewed by the Nordic Natural Beauty Podcast about both beauty standards in the music industry and her upcoming EP. During the interview for the podcast MIIA stated that her first EP, In the Light of Love, was made for TV and films and over the years she drifted further away from it even though she loved it at first. This led to her taking the EP, along with "Celebrate Your Life" off of streaming services, as she wanted to make music that defined her as the person she is.

### Test recordings

MIIA was in L.A. visiting her uncle prior to recording the actual EP. Here she recorded a few pop songs just so they could see what direction they should go in. According to MIIA, it went very well. In an interview with Det Skjer I Kragero MIIA stated that two of the songs on the EP were recorded during this time and the other three were recorded later when she visited him again. Position Music wanted MIIA to record the last three songs on the EP because they liked the first two tracks. These songs are what got her signed with a record deal.

### Announcement

MIIA uploaded the cover art to her Facebook on September 12, 2013 as a teaser for what was about to be released. Later that month MIIA released her single "In the Light of Love" and the EP itself.

## Reception

Though there has not been many reviews on the EP, Music Connection rated the EP 7.4 out of 10.

Music Connection said that "Good Time" is a high-energy track that is buoyed by vocal doubling and whistles that makes it an indie hit.

Later they talk about how "Candle in the Rain" is a song demonstrating MIIA's strength, comfort zone and sensitivity and how a song is professionally crafted with soulful tonality.

## Singles

Before the EP was released, MIIA released "In the Light of Love" as a single.

### In the Light of Love

In Music Connection's review they credit "In the Light of Love" for having a Pitbull-style production which was radio-ready. However, they wished for a rap verse before they could see the song gaining traction in the U.S.

## Gallery

Official cover for the "In the Light of Love" single"In the Light of Love" audio thumbnailTeaser for the EPPromotional image 1Promotional image 2Banner for promoting the EP

## Trivia

* The EP was once up on streaming services such as Spotify, but it was later taken down, however, it is still available on Napster and on Position Music's website.
* The instrumentals and alternative versions leaked through Position Music's website.
* The songs on the EP played in an episode of Kardashians and several MTV programs.
	+ The songs were also played on the radio in Norway.

## References

1. ↑ https://tv.nrk.no/serie/muitte-mu/sesong/2/episode/3
2. ↑ https://realmusicspain.wordpress.com/miia-epic-pop-all-the-way-from-norway/
3. ↑ https://open.spotify.com/episode/32jf4bICMhM0GNW4ttIElQ
4. ↑ https://www.musicbed.com/blog/music/living-the-daydream-a-conversation-with-miia/
5. ↑ https://www.kv.no/kultur/kultur/mia-16-fikk-platekontrakt-i-usa/s/2-2.3405-1.8137676?fbclid=IwAR14xvzJ54ZRSyZImPh\_imUZM8\_QeanGBU2X7O0bkLjANZ\_IQSWgMytWVYk
6. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/MIIAMUSIC/photos/426846394092909
7. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/MIIAMUSIC/photos/a.488609994583215/488609087916639
8. ↑ https://open.spotify.com/album/6EXkikqgrCAqivnxguvPpb?fbclid=IwAR2MGQrWwkhLf9wqe9vd8N9U\_oOTgMgCprkY1AE298DcYyVFD\_tbDQY8JOA
9. ↑ https://www.musicbed.com/blog/music/living-the-daydream-a-conversation-with-miia/