Canadian Alt.Pop/EDM Rising Star Mikalyn Releases “Never Mine”
Canadian alt-pop/EDM prodigy Mikalyn continues to shift gears with her new single “Never Mine”, out now.
Well-known for her haunting, soulful vocal delivery on uptempo collaborations with EDM artists such as Machine Drivers, Öwnboss & Zerky and Röde, Mikalyn slows things down with “Never Mine” for a sultry, sorrowful track that sheds light on the modern dating world and the struggles that accompany it.
It’s another bold move away from her EDM roots, continuing a trend she started with her 2022 single “Ready to Love You.”
“This song is especially relevant to those who find themselves in situation-ships, sneaky-link or friends with benefits situations,” says Mikalyn of “Never Mine”, “and to those who lay in bed at night creating false scenarios that they are trying to wish into existence.”
Co-written and produced by her long-time friend and collaborator Chris Grey, Mikalyn says the song had two main inspirations. Having released a number of songs and EPs since 2017, Mikalyn is already a veteran of the music industry at just 20 years old. But like many at her age, the Guelph, Ontario resident has spent the last few years as a university student.
“It’s about real life as a university student,” Mikalyn says of the new song. “Where people come in and out of your life quite a bit, and there’s always the fantasy that it could be something more.”
She also points to the Netflix show Twenty Somethings: Austin, during which two people, Abbey and Kamari, developed a “thing” while each insisted they didn’t want a relationship. As the show progressed, though, Abbey became upset when Kamari would shower attention onto other women.
“Chris and I watched the whole season over a week,” recalls Mikalyn, “and we stopped halfway through to write ‘Never Mine’ as their relationship reached its climax. It’s about the struggles of being a romantic with an active imagination, the acceptance that maybe having a bit of someone for a moment in time is enough.”
Accompanied by a swelling synth line, Mikalyn sings of that acceptance coming somewhat reluctantly.
“You’ve got a hold, I can’t explain it, we’re unsustainable, but where’s the harm in walking on the edge,” she laments. “It’s dangerous, you’re like a drug, I need another hit.”
It’s about imagining what a future could be like but knowing that it will never happen. However, when you spend time with them, no matter how short, you allow yourself to pretend that they are yours and that it will last longer than it will.
“We’re gonna ***k it all up, ignore the risk that I could fall,” continues Mikalyn, “we can pretend we’re in love, then just forget about it.”
Grey backs up Mikalyn’s forlorn, longing vocal delivery with richly layered beats and majestic background sonics, creating an expert chill-out track.
On “Never Mine”, Mikalyn comes across at the same time as both a young, fresh artist and a world-weary old soul. At times she can remind one of a young Beth Orton or Tracey Thorn. Her mature, confident, and haunting voice belies her young age, but that’s been true of Mikalyn since she first started posting piano-and-vocal versions of songs by Norah Jones, Hozier, and Amy Winehouse on YouTube as early as eight years ago.
“Never Mine” is the first single off an upcoming EP set to be released in late October 2023. Mikalyn says the collection will follow the trials and tribulations that she has found in her complex relationships (both friendship and romantic) while coming into herself and out of a long-term relationship over the last few years.
Expect more tracks from the EP to drop in late May, early July, late August, and September.
Watch the lyric video for “Never Mine” below and learn more about Mikalyn via our mini-interview.
Hi Mikalyn! You’ve been in this space before, so what’s been going on since your last single?
I’ve been writing more than ever! I have a lot of music I’m excited to put out to follow Never Mine. It’s been busy for sure, I’ve also just finished up my third year of university and am playing live quite a bit, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! I love having a lot on the go, especially when it’s music related.
Tell us about the process of writing “Never Mine.”
I wrote “Never Mine” with my best friend, Chris Grey. Inspiration struck mid-binge-watch of the show Twenty-Somethings: Austin. One of the relationship dynamics on the show, between Abbey and Kamari, was pretty hot and cold. I’ve seen this type of relationship a lot in my experience at school, where you’re not 100% with someone but it also stings when you see them with someone else. It might not be long-term, but you want to imagine a relationship with them even if it’ll never work out. I feel like it’s something everyone’s experienced in some capacity! Once we started, the song was completed relatively quickly, and we tracked some vocals. I sat with the demo for a bit and then decided to record it!
What’s one record by a Canadian artist in your collection or playlist that would surprise us?
I don’t know if this is a surprise, but I’m a huge Shania Twain fan. Her CD was the first one I ever bought and I listened to it on repeat on my Walkman that I got at a garage sale. I have her greatest hits memorized from front to back! A more surprising one would probably be Corey Hart, and I have a tattoo inspired by Neil Young. I love him and his music.
What are your plans for the Spring?
Gigs, gigs, and more gigs! Especially since I’ve finished exams, I’m excited to get back on the road and performing live again. I also just finished a writing trip to Montreal where I wrote with Murray Daigle and Bobby John, two longtime collaborators. I’ll be tracking a bunch of vocals in the coming weeks for the songs we wrote.
Glad you see you’ve made it past COVID, what did you learn about yourself since then?
I learned how much I took for granted in-person interactions in the industry – cowrites, performances, industry events. I feel like I value them so much more now that I’ve experienced what life was like without them.