HAAi’s HUMANiSE: A Sonic Love Letter to the Queer Community and Club Culture

Australian-born, London-based producer and DJ HAAi, real name Teneil Throssell, is set to release her much-anticipated second album, HUMANiSE, on October 10, 2025, via the legendary Mute Records. Known for her boundary-pushing sound and inclusive ethos, HAAi’s latest project stands as both a musical evolution and a deeply personal testament to her commitment to the queer and trans communities that have shaped her artistry .

From the outset, HUMANiSE is positioned as more than an album—it is a “love letter” to HAAi’s “trans and queer family and our allies,” as the artist herself states. “This album is for my trans and queer family and our allies, to say thank you for lighting up every space you’re in. I will always be in your army,” HAAi shared in a statement that has resonated across LGBTQ+ music and nightlife circles .

This sense of community is woven throughout HUMANiSE, both sonically and thematically. The record brings together an impressive list of collaborators, including Jon Hopkins, Obi Franky, James Massiah, Kam-Bu, Kaiden Ford, and Alexis Taylor from Hot Chip. Notably, the UK-based TRANS VOICES choir features on multiple tracks, lending both vocal depth and symbolic power to the project. These collaborations are not just musical flourishes—they serve as intentional acts of inclusion and visibility for marginalized voices within electronic music .

HAAi’s love for club culture is palpable throughout HUMANiSE. In discussing the single “Hey!”, she describes it as “dedicated to the unmatched human connection we feel on the dance floor. The repeated lyrics ‘can’t live without you’ is a nod to my love for the club and the people in it” . For many in the LGBTQ+ community, dance floors have long been sanctuaries—spaces where chosen family is forged, self-expression is celebrated, and resilience takes center stage. HAAi’s work honors this legacy, channeling the euphoria, struggle, and solidarity that define queer nightlife.

The album’s lead singles, including “Satellite” (featuring Jon Hopkins, Obi Franky, ILĀ, and the TRANS VOICES choir), further this ethos. “’Satellite’ encapsulates everything HUMANiSE stands for,” HAAi notes, emphasizing unity and collective healing . Obi Franky, who features on the track, adds: “We are all satellites and have the power to create a sense of unity to give what ultimately a human wants – love” .

HAAi’s own voice features more prominently on HUMANiSE than in her previous work, with the artist reflecting on “what it is to be human in an increasingly digital world.” She notes, “even though HUMANiSE is about how the world is starting to change beyond our control, it’s important to keep a sense of togetherness and hope.” Across twelve tracks, HAAi explores themes of vulnerability, resilience, and the search for connection, drawing inspiration from the lived experiences of her queer and trans peers .

The album’s title itself is a call to action—an invitation to “humanize” both ourselves and the spaces we occupy, especially as technology and social shifts reshape our communities. For LGBTQ+ listeners, this message resonates deeply, acknowledging both the challenges and the beauty of forging authentic lives in a rapidly changing world.

As excitement grows for the album’s release, HAAi has shared glimpses into her creative process—sometimes finding herself “possessed” by inspiration in unlikely places, such as mixing music mid-flight. This passion underscores the urgency and authenticity behind HUMANiSE, reminding audiences that queer artistry is as much about persistence as it is about celebration .

With its bold soundscapes, diverse collaborations, and explicit dedication to queer and trans communities, HUMANiSE is poised to become a landmark release in contemporary electronic music. The album’s October 10 launch will no doubt be a significant moment for LGBTQ+ fans and allies, many of whom see HAAi’s work as both a reflection of their own journeys and an invitation to collective joy.

As the world awaits HUMANiSE, HAAi’s message is clear: the dance floor is for everyone, and our stories—especially those of queer and transgender people—deserve to be celebrated, amplified, and heard.