Music Industry News

The enigmatic NZ-born, LA-based Theia has announced that her highly anticipated debut album GIRL, IN A SAVAGE WORLD will be released on Friday November 7. Today she’s teasing the record with a haunting new single ‘Patupaiarehe’

‘Patupaiarehe’ is a powerful waiata, which takes its name from the mythological forest-and-mountain dwelling ‘folk’ known by Māori as patupaiarehe and alludes to Aotearoa’s colonial history.

“Patupaiarehe are extremely tapu and known for having sweet, ethereal voices and for being consummate players of the kooaau and puutoorino flutes,” explains Theia. “I love the imagery of Patupaiarehe as kaitiaki (guardians) of the whenua (our Earth Mother, Papatuuaanuku). Stories from the past, of their hostility towards intruders, mirrors the ongoing battle and tensions we are still experiencing today.”

Pairing Theia’s trademark angelic vocals and haunting harmonies with poetic lyricism, ‘Patupaiarehe’ is a glorious fusion of ethereal alt-folk and art-rock. It gives fans a glimpse of Theia’s upcoming debut album GIRL, IN A SAVAGE WORLD, which has been several years in the making. But it’s been worth the wait!

“The record has been a long time coming, but I really wanted to take my time with these songs. I’ve pored over every lyric, every melody, and every harmony,” says Theia, who co-produced the record with Abraham Kunin (TE KAAHU, Jujulipps, Home Brew).

The sonics of ‘Patupaiarehe’, as well as many of the not-yet-heard songs on GIRL, IN A SAVAGE WORLD, may catch some by surprise, particularly those who have come to know and love Theia through her trailblazing alt-pop catalogue, which has seen her nominated for multiple awards; played on commercial radio in NZ, Asia and Australia and praised by the likes of Billboard Magazine, Clash and Rolling Stone. However, for those who have followed Theia’s musical journey over the past five years, including the phenomenal success of her award-winning alt-folk reo Māori project TE KAAHU, the album is a natural progression, in which she fearlessly treads uncharted ground, while imparting poignant messages that are resonating with audiences around the globe.

Mark Friday November 7 in the calendar, GIRL, IN A SAVAGE WORLD is an epic body of work from one of Aotearoa’s most gifted songwriters. The album will also be released on vinyl on November 7.

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A descendant of the Ngaati Tiipaa, Ngaati Aamaru and Te Ahiwaru people from the Waikato-Tainui tribal confederation, Theia is a fierce proponent for the revitalisation of Māori language and culture and is celebrated for weaving her native tongue into her politically charged anthems. This includes ‘BALDH3AD!’, which was nominated for ‘Single of the Year’ at the 2025 AMAs, and now her new single, ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return the Land)’.

‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return the Land)’ and ‘BALDH3AD!’ are both from Theia’s upcoming debut album and signal a new direction, as she moves further away from the commercial pop sound that established her as one of Aotearoa’s rising stars, into an alternative/indie sonic landscape, where she skillfully traverses genres and boldly pushes into unchartered territory. This is evident in her use of traditional Māori composition, such as haka, and instrumentation (pūtaratara), which she blends with contemporary beats and production to create a sound all of her own.

The enormity of taking such a creative risk at this point has not been lost on Theia but she wouldn’t have it any other way. “You only get one shot at making a debut album, and I felt this compelling need to create more than just a bunch of songs that sound great together or fit neatly on radio or streaming playlists. I wanted to explore – through music and storytelling – the historical impacts of colonisation on my iwi and the subsequent cultural revitalisation.”

“It sounds heavy, and it is, but it’s influenced by all that my people have endured and all that is happening around me right now. I hope it will resonate with those who take a chance on it.”

Theia has also drawn international attention for her award-winning alt-folk project, TE KAAHU, in which she writes, records and performs solely in te reo Māori. TE KAAHU occupies its own space on streaming platforms and was awarded the Taite Prize: Best Independent Debut in 2023, as well as being nominated for every major music prize in New Zealand in 2022/23.

Currently based in LA, Theia tours both projects throughout North America.