The Cosmic Return of TEEKS: Why ‘Lovers Comet’ is a Bold, Queer Rebirth for the Aotearoa Soul Icon
Five years after his chart-topping, platinum-certified debut Something To Feel, Māori soul sensation TEEKS (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui) has officially entered a new sonic and personal stratosphere.
His highly anticipated sophomore album, Lovers Comet, releases today, delivering a 12-track masterclass in liberation, identity, and unconditional self-trust.
If his debut project established him as a master of heartbreak and unrequited longing, Lovers Comet is the exhilarating sound of letting go. Crafted alongside producers Terence O’Connor and VIIN (Vincent Pham) across Aotearoa and Australia, the album leans into themes of freedom, self-discovery.
At the core of Lovers Comet is a deliberate unlearning of colonised ideas surrounding masculinity.
TEEKS uses this record to openly explore the multifaceted dimensions of queerness, challenging social conditioning while inviting listeners into a space of vulnerability, lust, and tenderness.
“I think I’ve gotten really good at trusting my intuition,” TEEKS reflects. “Early on in my career. I was very young and still trying to figure myself out. It’s hard to trust yourself when you’re new to everything. I definitely learned that trusting my intuition above anything else is the most valuable thing.”
The album’s title draws inspiration from the rare, fleeting beauty of a celestial comet—a metaphor for the profound, lasting impact love leaves in its wake, even when temporary.
The record’s focus track, “Headlights,” serves as the perfect gateway into this new era.
It showcases a lighter, more playful, and intricately layered production style without sacrificing TEEKS’ signature emotional depth and powerhouse vocals.
“Sonically nostalgic of the 80s, I wanted to make something I could put on in the car on a late-night drive,” TEEKS says of the track. “This is a song about choosing yourself and finally walking away from a relationship that wasn’t good for you.”
“Eros”: Named after the Greek god of love and passion, this atmospheric opener pairs celestial strings with driving drums to set a yearning tone.
“Promised Land”: A moving track that frames love as a deeply spiritual ritual.
“Overdose”: A sultry exploration of the addictive, consuming nature of desire.
“Put Your Love On Me”: Co-written in Los Angeles with fellow Kiwi pop artist Thomston, this track playfully dissects the modern push-and-pull of a situationship.
Since his 2017 breakout EP The Grapefruit Skies, TEEKS has grown from a local treasure into a global force.
His debut album went straight to #1 on the New Zealand charts, sweeping the Aotearoa Music Awards and earning him accolades from MTV Europe and Rolling Stone.
Today, his global footprint is undeniable:200+ Million global streams, 2.5 Billion short-form video views.
United States: Currently his largest streaming market.
In South Africa: A massive strong-hold for the artist, where his single “First Time” is certified 2x Platinum, and “Oil & Water” sits at Platinum status following his debut South African tour this past August.
Lovers Comet is more than just a collection of songs; it is the definitive arrival of an artist fully coming into his own, loving without limits, and inviting the world to do the exact same.
New Zealand tour dates for TEEKS will be announced next week.
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