Following the release of single and title-track Love Me Like Me, Mini Miller has just released her sophomore EP in full. The 5-tracks look back at her time in high school, reflecting on “who I was at 17—what I believed in, what I was feeling, and what I was navigating emotionally, politically, and creatively. It’s deeply personal and honest, capturing the energy and mindset of a younger me just trying to make sense of it all.”
The focus track alongside the EP release is Cyber Freak, a purposefully natural and haunting song that delves into a decidedly unnatural topic - the mix of chaos and connection caused by being perpetually online as a 17 year old, and the unnerving feeling of being on the receiving end of weird messages from grown men: “It was creepy, overwhelming, and way too common for people our age. So when I say 'Cyber Freak,' I really mean it — that title reflects the strange, sometimes scary reality of growing up online.”
Love Me Like Me was recorded three years ago, and spans across Indie-Folk, Pop and R&B, drawing on a number of references like Jorja Smith, Joy Crookes, Kodaline, Sufjan Stevens and Phoebe Bridgers. Funded in part from NZ On Air’s ‘New Music Development’ funding, Mini Miller paired up with Ōtautahi producer duo The Response (Andy & Vic Knopp), who helped shape the sound and produce the tracks, as well as contributing to some of the writing. “The process was an incredible learning experience. They were collaborative and supportive, meeting me where I was at as a learner. They really saw the vision before I did and helped shape the final sound into something beautiful.”
Title track Love Me Like Me is a pop anthem about self-acceptance and being surrounded by people who truly see you. It’s the moment you realise you don’t have to change to be loved—you’re enough just as you are: “I was in high school and had become close with a group of Māori girls. For the first time, I felt connected to people who looked like me and shared similar experiences. That connection gave me new confidence in my identity, and the song came out of that moment. I remember sending a rough demo video to those friends—their reaction meant everything. It was the first time I felt I had created something that truly mattered, not just to me, but to them too.
The EP was produced, engineered and mixed by Ōtautahi producer duo The Response (Andy and Vic Knopp) courtesy of NZ on Air Development funding. Working together over a number of sessions, Drew would bring songs in and they all worked together collaboratively on the sound and vision for each track. “We absolutely loved collaborating with Drew on this EP. We had so much fun exploring different sounds and textures with her, finding new ways to really let her voice shine.”
The Love Me Like Me EP is out now via Winegum Records, available on all streaming platforms and digital download on Bandcamp.