Music Industry News

In the wake of his debut album, Driftwood, Casual Healing (AKA Nikau Te Huki) has recorded the waiata, ‘Hypersensitive’ featuring MĀ, which is set for release on Friday 28th March, 2025.

Thanks to the incredible support of NZ On Air, ‘Hypersensitive’ will be accompanied by a fun and freaky music video directed by Wellington’s finest, Mason Rudd.

Hypersensitive was produced by Te Huki at his studio Te Whare Chur and also features a unique poetic display from one of Aotearoa’s most authentic rappers – Mā.

This dark-psychotropic-snake-charming-trip-hop track takes the mind on a journey through the ego to the center of truth, love, and discipline, while also reminding us of this young artist’s ability to morph a wide collection of genres including Reggae, Hip Hop, Soul, and Middle Eastern melodies. The culmination of Māori culture, modern music, and righteous messaging makes Hypersensitive another meaningful chapter in the book of Casual Healing.

“When the world around us is too overwhelming, we numb ourselves. We harden our hearts so we can block out the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings that make us FEEL.” Nikau states, “We gotta feel all the feels.”

Redefining himself as an artist in 2025, Casual Healing will release a special series of EPs inspired by the four fundamental elements in Te Taiao, the natural world, with ‘Hypersensitive’ being the lead single of this first EP.

AHI features a number of key collaborations: Kenzie From Welly (‘Aroha’), Dub Princess (‘Morning Ritual’), The Hongi Slicker AKA Troy Kingi (‘Water The Good Seed’), and MĀ (‘Hypersensitive’). Each track maintains its own clear sonic identity while seamlessly blending into one another in its broader context. Ahi matches Nikau’s Libra energy – everything balanced and in its right place.

Check out all things Casual Healing below:
Facebook
Instagram
Youtube

Photo credit: Francesca Sewell