Theia never lets up — and nor should she.
The Aotearoa artist released her new bilingual waiata, “Hoki Whenua Mai (Return the Land)”, today, which deftly balances traditional Māori instrumentation and an alt-indie soundscape. The waiata powers to life with an impassioned haka and a resounding pūtaratara (conch) atop marching drums.
Similarly to Alien Weaponry and their idiosyncratic brand of Māori metal style, Theia’s latest waiata again showcases her profound ability to wrap important Indigenous stories in modern musical dressing.
“So often the feminine narrative becomes overlooked when we discuss the plight of Indigenous cultures in the face of colonisation,” Theia shares. “We fail to recognise the deeply harmful impact on women and children and ‘Hoki Whenua Mai (Return the Land)’ speaks directly of these traumas — through the lens of the Māori experience.”
The accompanying music video, directed by Aotearoa-born, UK-based director Ruby Harris and shot in the Waitākere Ranges, sees Theia being flanked by fellow wāhine Māori.
“We are all in colonial-style dress, appearing as cult-like apparitions held within the forest, portraying uniformity, loss, rage and feminine strength,” notes Theia.
Watch the video above.
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“Hoki Whenua Mai (Return the Land)” makes for a striking companion piece to “BALDH3AD!”, Theia’s previous single, a fiery protest anthem which arrived during one of the most tumultuous political periods of recent Aotearoa history.
“‘BALDH3AD!’ is my musical assault on the plague of colonisation, which has impacted our people since the 1800s and continues to threaten our language and culture under the current government,” Theia explained at the time. “It’s an expression of seething anger but also a call to action for my fellow wāhine Māori, rangatahi Māori and Indigenous folks worldwide.”
Currently based in Los Angeles, Theia is set to open for Los Bitchos at Zebulon on July 22nd, where she’s expected to reveal more new music (ticket information here).
In news related to Theia, her beautiful Māori language project, TE KAAHU, featured prominently in our 80 Best New Zealand Albums of the Decade So Far list. Her debut album as TE KAAHU, Te Kaahu O Rangi, reached the Top 10 in our countdown.
Theia’s “Hoki Whenua Mai (Return the Land)” is out now.
