Rising pop artist Nicola Høie returns with her most honest release to date on ‘Painkiller’, arriving January 30, 2026 — a striking meditation on emotional vulnerability, self-reflection, and the subtle realisation that love alone isn’t always enough.
Softly powerful and emotionally unguarded, ‘Painkiller’ marks a defining moment in Høie’s songwriting evolution. Framed through a polished pop lens, the track leans into restraint rather than grand gestures, allowing its emotional weight to unfold quietly. It’s a song about sitting with discomfort — recognising when care, connection, or affection can no longer function as a cure.
“This song marks the first time I’ve fully trusted my own voice as a writer,” Høie shares. “It’s a piece of myself I’m proud to finally share.”
That trust is palpable. ‘Painkiller’ doesn’t rush toward resolution; instead, it lingers in the in-between — where self-awareness begins to surface and emotional clarity arrives not as relief, but acceptance. The result is a track that feels deeply personal yet universally resonant, capturing the moment when emotional honesty outweighs romantic idealism.
Music has been a constant in Høie’s life since childhood, with singing and songwriting shaping her identity from an early age. Over the past five years, she has travelled across multiple countries, recording, refining her craft, and developing a sound that balances contemporary pop production with intimate storytelling. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, and Justin Bieber, Høie channels modern pop sensibilities while maintaining an emotional directness that feels unmistakably her own.
‘Painkiller’ arrives as the first release in a forthcoming run of six tracks, each rooted in authenticity and emotional depth. Rather than chasing trends, Høie positions vulnerability as the core of her artistry — a throughline that prioritises feeling over perfection.
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Already, her momentum speaks for itself. Nicola Høie has surpassed one million Spotify streams and accumulated over 150,000 YouTube views, alongside editorial support from Wonderland Magazine, Renowned For Sound, and REVAMP Magazine. With showcases planned toward the end of the year and a steady stream of new music scheduled every two months throughout 2026, ‘Painkiller’ signals the opening chapter of a carefully considered debut era.
Measured, sincere, and quietly confident, ‘Painkiller’ doesn’t offer easy answers — and that’s precisely its strength. In embracing the truth that not everything can be fixed, Nicola Høie steps forward with clarity, marking herself as an artist unafraid to let emotional honesty lead the way.
