London-based, Australian-born producer, songwriter and DJ, HAAi (aka Teneil Throssell) has released a new track, ‘Shapeshift’ featuring KAM-BU. This is the follow up to her recent BBC 6Music A-list track, ‘Can’t Stand To Lose’, which was accompanied by a rework by HAAi and Tom VR that soundtracked a groundbreaking visual which premiered on the Outernet’s digital exhibition space for Women’s History Month.
Watch the video to the new track, directed by Dobermann Ltd., where the unholiest of sub-bass flips into lo-fi rave breaks:
‘Shapeshift’ continues the very personal themes of ‘Can’t Stand To Lose’ and is, explains HAAi, about the “duality of being both the person you are onstage and the person you are at home, in the normal world.”
Talking about the track, KAM-BU explains, “Shapeshift is a reflection of personal and societal struggles of feeling confined yet striving for freedom. The lyrics touch on the tension between living a “dream” and feeling trapped by the realities of the world, especially the pressures of society and authority (“No love for cages”). I wanted to create a sense of restlessness, of wanting to break out of limitations, whether external or internal.”
Teneil and KAM-BU previously collaborated, alongside Jon Hopkins, on ‘Always Ascending’ which launched her acclaimed DJ-Kicks mix. Talking about the new track, which she shares today, Teneil explains,“ I wanted the track to start with a laidback spoken word section that, as the tension builds up in the track, develops into something that has much more intention and is more rhythmic,” before adding, “KAM-BU really rose to the challenge.”
‘Shapeshift’ and ‘Can’t Stand To Lose’ are the first new HAAi tracks since 2023, and the release of her DJ-Kicks compilation (described by RA as “a thrillingly eclectic journey through sound, where industrial beats meet warm melodies with finesse.”). The compilation – which includes her collaboration with Jon Hopkins and KAM-BU, ‘Always Ascending’ – came hot on the heels of her debut album, Baby, We’re Ascending, which opened up her boundary pushing blend of psychedelia, techno and powerful beats to new avenues, prompting Dazed to say, “[HAAi] transcends to new planes of existence on her full-length debut” and NME to praise her “high-flying, vibrant electronic wonderland”. 2023 also saw the release of ‘Lights Out’, her collaboration with Fred again.. and Romy; a single that solidified HAAi’s place at the forefront of electronic music.
Last month, the three-minute film, Flow State, premiered at Outernet, London. The film visualises HAAi’s brain activity as she enters deep creative focus while performing ‘Can’t Stand To Lose’ (hard soft rework). EEG electrodes recorded electrical activity from multiple brain regions during her performance, and the data was transformed into captivating visuals, creating an immersive and hypnotic film experience.
Outside of her own productions, HAAi is known for her dynamic, tempo-shifting DJ sets. In 2024 HAAi played over 100 shows across 5 continents, 30 countries, and 91 cities. She took to the biggest stages at festivals like Glastonbury, Sonar, and EDC Las Vegas, while also delivering sets at local parties including Japan’s Rainbow Disco Club, Berlin’s RSO and Paris’ Iconic Rex Club, where she performed a year-long residency. In-between, HAAi was playing b2b’s with friends like KI/KI, Jennifer Cardini, The Blessed Madonna and Solomun.
2024 also saw the launch of UNiSON, her community focused party that is a platform for HAAi to uplift rising talent while creating an inclusive and boundary-pushing space for club culture. HAAi’s DJ dates continue apace, with a series of festival dates that include Timewarp and Coachella in April, Detroit’s Movement festival in May and Glastonbury and Primavera in Porto in June.
‘Shapeshift’ feat. KAM-BU is out now across all digital platforms. Listen HERE
HAAi DJ DATES
- 5 April – Mannheim, Time Warp at Maimarkthalle (DE)
- 12 April – Indio, Coachella Music & Arts Festival at Empire Polo Field (US)
- 19 April – Indio, Coachella Music & Arts Festival at Empire Polo Field (US)
- 24-26 May – Detroit, Movement Festival (US)
- 15 June – Porto, Primavera Sound at Parque da Cidade (PT)
- 21 June – Barcelona, Razzmatazz (ES)
- 28 June – Glastonbury, Levels (b2b Romy) on the Silver Hayes stage (UK)
- 29 June – Brussels, Paradise City (b2b The Blessed Madonna), Domein van Perk (BE)
- 5 July – Kraggenburg, Wilde Weide Festival at Netl Park (NL)
- 11 July – Athens, BICEP presents CHROMA, 260 Playground (GR)
- 12 July – Aulnoye Aymeries, Les Nuits Secrètes (FR)
- 17 July – Castellon, FIB Benicassim (ES)
- 18 July – Brighton, Bonobo presents OUTLIER (b2b Special Request), Brighton Beach (UK)
- 19 July – Lancashire, Beat Herder Festival (UK)
- 20 July – Boom, Tomorrowland, Provinciaal Recreatiedomein De Schorre (BE)
- 26 July – Malta, Mochakk Calling, UNO (MT)
