Introducing Theia’s Phenomenal Debut Album ‘Girl, In A Savage World’
Theia’s career-defining debut album Girl, In A Savage World is out today! The award-winning NZ-born, LA-based singer and songwriter has also announced an album release show at Whammy in Tāmaki Makaurau on Friday, February 27. Tickets are on sale now!
Her most powerful work yet – the phenomenal 10-track Girl, In A Savage World blends Theia’s trademark ethereal vocals and haunting harmonies with Māori instrumentation and contemporary soundscapes to create a unique sound that defies categorisation.
Listen to Girl, In A Savage World HERE
Get tickets to Theia’s Debut Album Release Show HERE
A fierce proponent for the revitalisation of Māori language and culture, Girl, In A Savage World sees Theia (Waikato, Ngaati Tiipaa, Ngaati Aaamaru) imparting poignant and timely messages of hope, resilience and above all, tino rangatiratanga!
The album features the singles BALDH3AD! (a finalist for Single of the Year at the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards); Hoki Whenua Mai (Return The Land); Pray 4 Me; Patupaiarehe; My Sister’s Hands In Mine featuring US avant-folk luminary Jolie Holland and the new single – the blistering female empowerment anthem, Hine-Nui-Te-Pō.
“Hine-Nui-Te-Pō is our eternal mother and kaitiaki of death and Rarohenga – the underworld. She is the embodiment and example of our traditional worldview that women are the givers, and the takers of life,” explains Theia, who co-produced the album with Abraham Kunin (Dalai Lama, Home Brew, Te Kaahu).
“I wanted to expose the demonisation she has been faced with by the unrelenting male gaze painting her as a malevolent goddess of sex and punishment. As the missionaries removed penises from our carvings, the feminine power of our eternal mother has been erased too by colonial misogyny. Pitting Māui as the hero and Hine-Nui-Te-Pō as the villainous witch. It is on us to educate about her story – I wanted to exalt her power in this waiata.”
Those who have followed Theia’s journey in music, including the success of her award-winning alt-folk project Te Kaahu, will already know the beauty of her voice and the depth and strength of her songwriting. And Girl, In A Savage World is no exception! The enigmatic singer and songwriter turns stories passed down through generations into powerful songs of resistance and heart-breaking ballads. There is no question that the songs are challenging, but they carry important messages, which are resonating with people around the globe.
“These waiata recall historic happenings, like the Tohunga Suppression Act; the loss of our native tongue through the missionary school system and the raupatu of the Waikato Wars,” says Theia.
“Through music, I hope to provide crucial resources for the betterment of my hapū and fellow rangatahi, alongside our Indigenous relatives overseas. I believe there is such strength in being able to look back on the past to inform our future and healing.”
Theia and her band will be performing songs from Girl, In A Savage World at Flying Out in Auckland on Saturday, November 8 at 2pm. She will also be presenting the album in its entirety, with a full band, at her Whammy show in Tāmaki on Friday, February 27, 2026. Stay tuned for more NZ tour dates soon to be announced!
Theia’s debut album Girl, In A Savage World is available on limited edition Metallic Gold 180gm heavyweight vinyl – order HERE
Listen to the album on streaming platforms HERE
Photo Credit: Chris Cuffaro
