Hunter As a Horse (HAAH) is the South African musician and vocalist Mia van Wyk. Based in the Western Cape, she has spent the last few years self-releasing a diverse series of singles and EPs that combine electronically-focused songs with intense, thoughtful lyrics that are given a darkly cinematic production.
HAAH signed to Metropolis Records in early 2026 and have released a third single on the label today entitled ‘Paradise Lost’. “This song is about accepting the loss of innocence and surrendering in order to become who I was always afraid to be,” states van Wyk of the pulsating yet amospheric dark pop song. “It is about reaching a state of delusional self-absorption where I no longer notice what others think or say, and am solely directed by my shadow self. It’s about the power in fearless self-expression, celebrating the dark and painful things that formed my foundations.”
‘Paradise Lost’ follows the recently released ‘Lighthouse’ STREAM | BANDCAMP, a haunting song that wove mythology and psychology together in an electronic soundbed, and ‘Here’s To All The Ones’ STREAM | BANDCAMP, a shimmering indie-electronic pop track tinged with melancholy.
HUNTER AS A HORSE | 2026 REVIEWS
“Reinforces van Wyk’s musical footprint as one of synth and saviour in the darkwave genre”
LOUD WOMEN (UK/US)
“Electronic beats and waves of ‘90s sounding synth create a massive groove. The emotive qualities of a great vocal shine through”
REAL GONE (UK)
“Saddle up for a mystical ride”
1ST 3 (UK)
“Damn, that’s one twangtastically catchy chorus”
GOD’S JUKEBOX (US)
“They prove once again that dark electro-pop can be not only danceable but also intellectually stimulating”
MEDIENKONVERTER (DE)
“Continues to carve a distinctive space in the dark pop landscape, blending emotional vulnerability with cinematic sonic craft”
TERRA RELICTA (SI)
“One of her most emotionally resonant statements to date”
EVOL RADIO (US)
Seamlessly genre-hopping between alternative, indie, electronic and dream-pop, with diversions into alternative dance and even nu-goth, the songs of HAAH have been described as mysterious, apocalyptic soundtracks for the strange happenings of our time, with the UK newspaper The Guardian commenting: “Brings to mind the mesmerising atmospherics of Lamb and Zero 7. Dark and very lovely indeed.”
The subject matter of Mia van Wyk’s lyrics are a mystical ride through her strange and synchronicitous life. Deeply authentic, they are inspired by death, addiction, astral visions, CPTSD, melancholia, nostalgia and magical thinking.
Songs by HAAH can be heard in US TV shows such as American Horror Story, Riverdale and Elite, the film ‘Wander Darkly’ and an array of international adverts