August 25, 2023 5:14PM

Theia Preaches the Truth on Hard-Hitting Single ‘Dollhouse’

Theia’s Year of Fun continues

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Theia’s Year of Fun continues on the riotous single “Dollhouse”.

Backed by grungy guitars, Theia puts on her sultriest pop voice, recalling Charli XCX or even Kesha, spitting out lyrics like, “I’ve got mummy issues” (Don’t we all).

“”Dollhouse is about breaking free of the restraints and pushing back against the expectations put on girls to be perfect and pure, well-mannered and living in the ideal nuclear family,” the Kiwi artist explains.

“Dollhouse” is another indication that Theia is wholly addicted to pouring out pure pop anthems in 2023. Following her turn to the serious and sincere as TE KAAHU last year, which saw her rightfully lauded for her debut album of te reo Māori compositions, Te Kaahu O Rangi, Em-Haley Walker is clearly joining herself immensely this year.

In June, she dropped the energetic “Girls!” just in time for Pride Month. That was preceded by “Crucified By U”, which came around the time of Theia’s performance at Big Gay Out, and “Pray 4 Me”, another stylish alt-pop song.

All four songs are set to feature on Walker’s eagerly-anticipated debut full-length album as Theia, which will follow several well-received EPs she’s released since unveiling the moniker in 2016.

For her work under the TE KAAHU name, Walker is up for two awards at September’s Rolling Stone Aotearoa Awards: Best Record for Te Kaahu O Rangi and Best New Artist.

The following month, Walker will embark on her ‘Girl In A Savage World’ tour, performing a mixture of TE KAAHU and Theia songs at festivals around New Zealand. It’s excitingly the first time both projects will come together on the same stage to the same audience (see full dates below).

Theia’s “Dollhouse” is out now.