exystence club

After creating something more down to earth with HUMANiSE, a vocal-heavy art-pop album featuring two choirs and multiple guests, Australian DJ and producer HAAi heads back to the club with companion piece DIGITiSE. The two records are essentially different sides of the same coin, as both approach the subject of being human in a digital world. They’re both highly collaborative efforts, with previous guests like James Massiah and Kaiden Ford returning, while others such as Echonomist, Skybreak, and Colombian children’s choir Cantoalegre make debut appearances on a HAAi release. HAAi placed a greater emphasis on creating tracks she could play in her DJ sets, yet HUMANiSE still has a distinct flow as a complete listening experience.

HAAi‘s music is always uplifting and euphoric, but the title of her second album, HUMANiSE, seems appropriate for something that seems a little more down-to-earth than her previous releases. There are far more vocals and fewer banging kick drums on this record, and it’s closer to art-pop than straightforward club music.
HAAi’s own voice takes center stage, joined by two choirs and several guests, and the lyrics are generally hopeful and encouraging, even as they acknowledge life’s struggles. Past collaborators Jon Hopkins and Obi Franky return for opener “Satellite,” which begins with Burial-like crackling ambiance before HAAi assures her presence as the beats gradually heat up. “All That Falls Apart/Comes Together” builds up…