By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – London, the electronic music landscape is perpetually in a state of flux, yet few artists navigate its shifting tides with as much intentionality and grit as HAAi. The Australian-born, London-based producer and DJ has officially entered the next phase of her creative evolution with the release of her latest single, "I Wanna Feel Like Someone." Featuring the evocative vocal contributions of British poet and musician James Massiah, the track serves as a high-energy precursor to her highly anticipated upcoming album, DIGITiSE. Scheduled for release on October 9th via the legendary Mute Records, the project promises to be a profound exploration of the modern electronic experience, bridging the gap between the visceral reality of the club and the abstract nature of digital synthesis.
The new single, "I Wanna Feel Like Someone," is more than just a club tool; it is a sonic collage built from the lived experiences of a world-traveling selector. In a recent statement accompanying the release, HAAi—born Teneil Throssell—revealed that the composition was birthed from the deep well of her own performance history. She described the track as being "purely made from memories" of her DJ sets over the years, acting as a celebratory nod to the diverse range of genres and rhythms she has championed throughout her career. This sense of nostalgia is not directed toward a distant past, but rather toward the immediate, electric connection found within the four walls of a nightclub. It is a record designed for the dancefloor, characterized by a driving momentum that reflects HAAi’s signature ability to blend heavy-hitting percussion with ethereal, often haunting, melodic layers.
Central to the track’s identity is the involvement of James Massiah. A pivotal figure in the London creative scene, Massiah brings a unique poetic weight to the production. His ability to weave spoken word into the fabric of electronic music provides a grounding element to Throssell’s expansive soundscapes. On "I Wanna Feel Like Someone," his contribution adds a layer of human vulnerability and urban grit, creating a compelling contrast with the track’s polished, high-definition production. This collaboration highlights HAAi’s ongoing commitment to working with diverse voices, ensuring that her music remains rooted in a community-driven artistic spirit even as it scales global heights.
The upcoming album, DIGITiSE, represents a significant milestone in Throssell’s discography. It is conceptualized as a spiritual and sonic extension of her 2022 debut album, HUMANiSE. While her previous long-player focused on the organic, the tactile, and the vulnerabilities of the human condition, DIGITiSE appears to pivot toward the technological. However, this is not a move toward cold, sterile machine music. Instead, the project explores how the "human" survives and thrives within "digital" spaces. The transition from HUMANiSE to DIGITiSE suggests a fascination with the way we translate our emotions, our movements, and our memories into the binary code of modern music production.
The guest list for DIGITiSE further illustrates the ambitious scope of the project. Beyond the collaboration with James Massiah, the album features a wide-ranging roster of talent including the Greek producer Echonomist, Skybreak, ILA, and Kaiden Ford. Perhaps the most intriguing addition is the inclusion of Cantoalegre, a renowned Colombian children’s choir. The decision to incorporate a youth choir into a contemporary electronic album speaks to HAAi’s fearless approach to arrangement. By blending the innocent, collective harmony of the choir with the sharp edges of techno and breakbeat, she continues to challenge the traditional boundaries of the genre, creating a sound that is both global in its reach and deeply personal in its execution.
HAAi’s journey to this point has been characterized by a relentless work ethic and a refusal to be pigeonholed. Since her breakthrough residency at London’s Phonox, she has ascended to the upper echelons of the international DJ circuit, known for sets that are as unpredictable as they are immersive. Her transition from a member of the psychedelic rock band Dark Horses to a solo electronic powerhouse has informed her unique production style, which often retains a "live" feel—raw, distorted, and full of character. This background in traditional instrumentation allows her to approach synthesis with a different perspective, often favoring texture and mood over rigid adherence to club formulas.
Her partnership with Mute Records has also been a crucial element of her success. As a label that has historically supported innovators such as Depeche Mode, New Order, and Arca, Mute provides the perfect platform for an artist of HAAi’s caliber. The label’s legacy of pushing the envelope in electronic music aligns perfectly with Throssell’s own ethos of constant experimentation. Following the release of DIGITiSE, she joins a lineage of artists who have successfully navigated the balance between underground credibility and broader cultural impact.
In the lead-up to the new album, HAAi has remained a visible and influential figure in the music community. Her recent collaboration with Jon Hopkins as part of the DJ Mag Originals series, "The Green Room," offered fans a rare glimpse into her creative philosophy. In their wide-ranging conversation, the two artists discussed the perils of burnout, the complexities of the album-making process, and the spiritual experience of performing at iconic venues like Berghain. This transparency regarding the mental and physical toll of the industry has endeared her to fans and peers alike, positioning her as a thoughtful advocate for wellness within the high-pressure world of touring.
Furthermore, her recent remix of Nina Simone’s "That’s All I Ask" demonstrated her versatility as a producer. Taking on a vocal as legendary as Simone’s is a daunting task for any artist, yet HAAi managed to respect the original’s soulful essence while completely reimagining it for a modern electronic context. This ability to bridge different eras and genres is a hallmark of her work, and it is a quality that is expected to permeate every track on DIGITiSE.
As the October 9th release date approaches, the anticipation within the electronic community continues to build. "I Wanna Feel Like Someone" serves as a potent reminder of why HAAi is considered one of the most exciting figures in contemporary dance music. It is a track that demands attention, not just for its technical proficiency, but for the emotional resonance it carries. By tapping into her own memories of the dancefloor, Throssell has created a piece of music that feels both timeless and urgently modern.
In an era where much of electronic music can feel derivative or overly polished, HAAi’s commitment to "feeling" stands out. Whether she is collaborating with a London poet or a Colombian choir, her goal remains the same: to create a connection. DIGITiSE is poised to be a definitive statement on that connection, exploring how we remain tethered to our humanity in an increasingly digital world. For those who have followed her career from the early days of her London residency to her current status as a global headliner, this new chapter represents the culmination of years of sonic exploration and personal growth. With "I Wanna Feel Like Someone," the journey toward DIGITiSE has officially begun, and the dancefloor is ready to follow wherever she leads.
