London-based, Australian-born producer, songwriter and DJ, HAAi (aka Teneil Throssell) has shared a new track, ‘Can’t Stand To Lose’ and the accompanying video.
‘Can’t Stand To Lose’ uncovers a more intimate part of Teneil’s work, with her longing vocals breathe life into lyrics reckoning with a fast-paced life on the road, whilst yearning to be with her partner, it’s backdropped by an enveloping and widescreen tapestry of electronica and techno.
HAAi explains, “Can’t Stand to Lose is a reflection on longing, loss, and the deeply human emotions that accompany them – the nostalgia, the yearning, and the vulnerability. It’s inspired by our rapidly changing world and how it reshapes our lives: opening possibilities that are initially exciting, but are soon met with the realisation of what’s lost. It’s a meditation on what we gain and what we leave behind.”
The excellent accompanying video is a collaboration with the Dobermann Studio (Skrillex, Tiga, Bjarki), allows the heart of HAAi’s vocals to collide with the stark, utilitarian aesthetic of ’90s technology.
HAAi says:“I loved collaborating with Thomas and Cathal at Dobermann on the creative vision for ‘Can’t Stand To Lose’. Together, we aimed to create a world that exists somewhere between human and machine. They brought the track’s meaning to life in such a visceral way by weaving together the striking imagery of nature, humanity and cityscapes to show the tension between order and chaos. I particularly love the use of object recognition that beautifully nods to both machine learning and nostalgia; it feels like memories are being unlocked and presented back on screens.”
This is HAAi’s first new music since her acclaimed DJ-Kicks compilation 2023, The compilation – which includes a new version of her collaboration with Jon Hopkins titled ‘Always Ascending’ – came soon after her debut album, Baby, We’re Ascending, which opened up her boundary-pushing blend of psychedelia, techno and powerful beats to new avenue. 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.
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 featured surprise back-to-back sets with Boys Noize, DJ Boring and Romy, alongside a room programmed with emerging artists discovered via HAAi’s Submit to Play platform. UNiSON has become a platform for HAAi to uplift rising talent while creating an inclusive and boundary-pushing space for club culture, and the next event takes place at The Cause, London on 15 March.
