Aotearoa artist Rei has just announced a new album three years in the making - and it comes with an unexpected bit of merch. 

'Moisturise & Decolonise' is Rei's new record, and he's also released a bespoke skincare product as a nod to the name. 

"And just like that, after 3 years of hard mahi, my new album is out into the universe!!" he wrote in a newsletter to fans. 

"This album speaks on the duality that a lot of us face in our process of decolonising, while also looking after ourselves and our well-being. 

"You'll hear that in the tracks. I've got my kaupapa raps mixed with my pop/R&B waiata aroha. Because it's all about balance," he added. 

Rei also teamed up with NZ skincare brand Kia Tau to create his own moisturiser using Aotearoa rongoā (māori medicinal plants), including horopoito, mamaku black fern and red seaweed.

"Apply to the face in the morning or before bed to reduce the effects of colonisation," Rei wrote. 

'Most effective when paired with listening to my album 'Moisturise & Decolonise'. Your purchase of this moisturiser includes a download of the album too, which is pretty chur."

Tracks on Rei's new album include 'Haka Through the Pain' and 'Toitū', the 'haka rap' song with "big landback energy" Rei released last year. 

Rei asked fans who wanted to tautoko to consider purchasing the album on Bandcamp, explaining that you'd have to stream the album tunes about 2000 times on other platforms to contribute the same $7 cost.