If you’re a reader of HighClouds, you’re likely already familiar with Birgit de Priester. Last year, the Dutch musician caught our attention with “Meditating in Asia,” released under her former moniker, Mia Porter. We even featured it in our Best of 2024 playlist. Now, De Priester has reached a new milestone with the release of her debut album. On Made 4 Fun, poetic folk and indie pop collide, infused with humor, quirkiness, and a sense of self-awareness.
An exploration of love, loss, beauty, and identity, the self-produced record features contributions from an impressive roster of guest artists. Among them is GRAMMY Award-winning trombonist Denzel Mendoza, known for his work with Haley Heynderickx. Other collaborators include Marthe Lasthuis of Honingbeer, Wouter van Nienes from Laplander, and Silvan van der Zwaag of Holyoke.
Much like her introspective gem “Meditating in Asia,” Birgit de Priester’s lead single and title track, “Made 4 Fun,” sets the tone. The song plunges into the tangled web of power struggles and helplessness, yet manages to keep things light with its playful, buoyant vibe. De Priester calls it “a song about feeling insignificant and losing control over your own life,” but it’s assuredly the cheeky, self-deprecating humor wrapped around it that makes it truly special.
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