He’s aiming for something dark, immersive, and after-hours…<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n
ZHU<\/strong> does things his own way. The San Francisco Bay Area is a true pop voyager, someone who is building their own digital identity.<\/p>\n It\u2019s now a decade on from his debut album \u2018Generationwhy\u2019 and he is showing no sign of slowing down, with new album \u2018Black Midas\u2019 out today (April 24th).<\/p>\n The material expands on his electronic pop sound, drifting into late-night reverie while absorbing cinematic textures. You can hear aspects of trip-hop in there, with the murky textures adding something distinctive to the project.<\/p>\n Fusing deep house and crisp, melodic techno into the mix, \u2018Black Midas\u2019 is one of his most impactful statements yet. With ZHU set to touch down at London\u2019s Roundhouse on July 18th, CLASH caught up with him to discuss the sounds that informed his new album\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014<\/p>\n Portishead \u2013 \u2018Dummy\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n Adrian Utley\u2019s guitar tones on \u2018Glory Box\u2019 is probably one of my favourite dark, moody, and groaning<\/em> sounds on any record. I love how cinematic it is\u2026 The vulnerability of Beth\u2019s voice and the combo of the trip hop production\u2026 I can listen to over and over again. I was driving a lot when I was making \u2018Black Midas\u2019, and a lot of the drives were long night drives, so yeah\u2026<\/em> Portishead.<\/p>\n \u2014<\/p>\n Massive Attack \u2013 \u2018Mezzanine\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n I know my current album is a club record, but I may have to make a trip-hop album next\u2026 I would be great at it, since I\u2019ve been bumping Massive Attack for weeks.<\/p>\n Having to record, write, mix, and finish this entire record all out of a moving SPRINTER van, I felt like Bond on a heist\u2026 \u2018Mezzanine\u2019 definitely added to the feeling of my story.<\/p>\n It allowed me to tap into the melancholy and power at the same time. Angel\u2019s got to be an all time great.<\/p>\n \u2014<\/p>\n Sade \u2013 \u2018Love Deluxe\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n I mean, the voice, the groove. This record is as warm as a mother\u2019s hug after a long day. It\u2019s more comforting than a bowl of spicy rigatoni after being trapped in a winter blizzard.<\/p>\n The writing, arrangement, mix is all very simple and elegant. Less is more.<\/p>\n \u2014<\/p>\n Faithless \u2013 \u2018Sunday 8pm\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n Dance music rarely tells a story these days. Maxi Jazz has got a message tho. I guess that\u2019s why people don\u2019t really listen to too many electronic albums\u2026 Stories have to start coming back into the music for people to care. This album gave me a reason to want to add story to the music. The why. The reason.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014<\/p>\n Groove Armada \u2013 \u2018Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub)\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n Vibes. Sometimes people don\u2019t need to talk so much. When music has a good groove, people shut the fuck up.<\/p>\n \u2014<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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