London-based artist HAAi mixes club-set energy and stylish pop ingenuity on DIGITiSE, a new album influenced by the physical energy of DJ sets and also the emotional possibilities of electronic music. Moving between introspective spoken-word passages, atmospheric synths, and propulsive, bass-heavy rhythms, the record captures the immersive momentum of an all-night dancefloor experience while maintaining a personal touch.
“RE-HUMANISE” opens the album with gradually unfolding momentum, with shimmers of synths and crackling effects driving into an introspective spoken-word presence, persisting with its meditative ruminations. “Together we breathe, I hold your hand, close my eyes, so I can show you one last time,” the lead presence pushes forth, with the “on the dancefloor” refrain meeting with expanded, spacey synth effervescence and a riveting percussive drop past midpoint. The ensuing “Printerlude” compels in its similarly climactic feeling, from initial spacious intrigue to heavy thumping rhythms and stutter-y spoken sample injections.
Another standout, “Ignition” is gorgeous in its savvy pop swell, strutting a nocturnal appeal in its “no sleep” references and movement from understated synths to glitzy, neon-lit allure past the four-minute mark. The final 30 seconds are especially riveting in their intertwining of dreamy synth pads and propulsive percussion. Even more infectious, the album’s title track invigorates in its lovely contrast of ethereal harmonic conciseness and grimy, active bass-y electronic maneuvers, a palpable energy that’s matched on “THANK U” and its driving Burial-esque prowess. DIGITiSE is a moving, grooving stylish electronic success of a full-length from HAAi.
—
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
