Marlon Williams – Te Whare Tīwekaweka (13th Floor Album Review)
Marlon Williams, of Ngāi Tahu and Ngāi Tai descent, skillfully weaves his Māori heritage with his diverse musical experiences in his fourth album, Te Whare Tīwekaweka.
In this album, Williams sings entirely in Te Reo Māori, drawing inspiration from the language of his ancestors. However, this album is not merely a reflection on the past; it is a vibrant fusion of historical and contemporary influences, crafting something distinctly relevant for today’s audience.
Te Whare Tīwekaweka features Williams’ longtime band, The Yarra Benders, consisting of Ben Woolley (bass), Gus Agars (drums), and Dave Khan (guitar). These musicians, along with co-producer Merk, have enriched the explorations across Williams’ previous albums with their expertise and deep understanding of his musical evolution. Across these fourteen tracks, the songs are further enhanced by new collaborators, creating a cohesive set of atmospherically rich songs in different but complementary styles, nothing feels out of place.
The album opens with the serene acapella E Mawehe Ana Au, setting a tone of spiritual reverence that echoes throughout the track and showcasing Williams’ evocative baritone. Kei Te Mārama features harmoniously layered vocals, and Me Uaua Kē is one of several where KOMMI, the Lyttelton based rapper, adds modern lyrical and rhythmic sharpness. The album’s spiritual resonance is underscored by the presence of He Waka Kōtuia, singers whose soulful harmonies deepen the feel of tracks such as Kōrero Māori and the reverential closing piece, Pōkaia Rā te Marama.
To date, three videos have been released and these complement each song’s storytelling. The video for Rere Mai Ngā Rau draws inspiration from ’90s hip-hop, showcasing Williams and local talents in a vibrant display of community and style. Kāhore He Manu E is a reflective piano piece where Williams duets with Lorde. They are filmed working together in the studio on this song of remembrance and loss, and the combination of their voices and ease with each other adds emotional depth to the lyrics. Most impressively, in Aua Atu Rā, Williams is shown on his therapist’s couch in her room, later his therapist watches from the beach as the couch floats in Lyttelton harbour, and then as performs on stage. It’s a powerfully beautiful video that fully captures the existential solitude and stoic endurance of the lyrics, and no wonder the therapist is tearful at the end.
The forthcoming documentary, Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua – Two Worlds, directed by Ursula Grace-Williams, is set to provide deeper insights into Williams‘ creative journey and his reflections on identity through the lens of music. This film promises to illustrate the intricate connections between his roles as a musician, actor, son, and cultural ambassador.
In Te Whare Tīwekaweka, Williams redefines and reclaims his heritage, crafting a modern classic that is deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of Aotearoa New Zealand. With these songs, he bridges traditional and modern sounds, forging a profound cultural appreciation and connection with listeners. This album offers a broad and compelling perspective on Aotearoa New Zealand’s musical heritage and stands as a powerful testament to the ability of blending cultural traditions with contemporary expressions to create a living, vibrant, and relevant musical masterpiece.
John Bradbury
Te Whare Tiwekaweka is released today.
Watch Trailer for Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua – Two Worlds
Watch the Video for “Kāhore He Manu E (Featuring Lorde)”
Watch the Video for “Aua Atu Rā”
Marlon Williams Tour Dates
(New dates in bold)
Thu. Apr. 10 – New York, NY @ National Sawdust – SOLD OUT
Fri. Apr. 11 – New York, NY @ Fire Talk Records %
Tue. Apr. 15 – Los Angeles, CA @ Zebulon – SOLD OUT
Wed. Apr. 16 – Los Angeles, CA @ Amoeba Records %
Tue. Apr. 22 – London, UK @ Rough Trade East %
Wed. Apr. 23 – London, UK @ St. Pancras Old Church – SOLD OUT
Thu. Apr. 24 – London, UK @ St. Pancras Old Church – SOLD OUT
Fri. Apr. 25 – London, UK @ St. Pancras Old Church – SOLD OUT
Fri. May 9 – New Plymouth, NZ @ TBS Theatre *
Sat. May 10 – Palmerston North, NZ @ Regent On Broadway *
Mon. May 12 – Napier, NZ @ Municipal Theatre *
Tues. May 13 – Gisborne, NZ @ War Memorial Theatre*
Thu. May 15 – Tauranga, NZ @ Holy Trinity *
Fri. May 16 – Hamilton, NZ @ Clarence Street Theatre *
Sat. May 17 – Rotorua, NZ @ Sir Owen Glenn Theatre *
Thu. May 29 – Sydney, Australia @ Sydney Opera House
Wed. Jun. 4 – Melbourne, Australia @ Melbourne Town Hall – SOLD OUT
Thu. June. 5 – Melbourne, Australia @ Melbourne Town Hall – SOLD OUT
Sat. Jun. 7 – Wellington, NZ @ St James Theatre* – SOLD OUT
Sun. Jun. 8 – Wellington, NZ @ St James Theatre*
Sat. Jun. 21 – Auckland, NZ @ Spark Arena *
Thu. Jun. 26 – Dunedin, NZ @ Regent Theatre *
Fri. June. 27 – Christchurch, NZ @ Christchurch Town Hall*
Sat. Jun. 28 – Christchurch, NZ @ Christchurch Town Hall* – SOLD OUT
* w/ KOMMI
% in-store performance
Marlon Williams Online
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