- A former psychedelic rocker turns to high-intensity techno with mixed results.
- HAAi was in a psychedelic rock duo in London before losing her mind to a Ben Klock set during her first visit to Berghain. It's the kind of experience that has reshaped the tastes of more than a few music fans, many of whom probably use this website. She has enjoyed a rise most bedroom DJs can only dream of in the years since, catching the ear of Jacques Greene's former manager at a bar gig before landing a residency at Phonox and back-to-back appearances with DJs like Midland and Daniel Avery. Motorik Voodoo Bush Doof Musik, her new EP, reflects the ambitious sound of her DJs sets and psychedelic roots, presenting a chaotic blend of the dark and the colourful, the bleak and the bright.
Gui Boratto mixed with Ilian Tape is the easiest way to describe "Growing Up With Muscle Cars," an expansive ten-minute homage to HAAi's drag-racing stepdad. A tangle of overdriven synths and clanging breakbeats, the track is sentimental but tough, the kind of thing that gets young UK crowds moving. "I Never Cared Much For Jungle," featuring the Japanese vocalist Taigen Kawabe, is even busier, as churning percussion cuts through the shouted vocals above. The psychedelic touch is strongest on the title track, where HAAi's sense of groove is heard best. The snaking percussion is heady and detailed, backed up by chants and whistles. It's the standout moment on an EP that draws from a range of intense sounds without finding one of its own.
Tracklist01. Your Disk Is Full
02. Motorik Voodoo Bush Doof Musik
03. I Never Cared Much For Jungle feat. Taigen Kawabe
04. Growing Up With Muscle Cars
05. I Never Cared Much For Jungle (Dub)