Indra Aziz
A decade after the release of his seminal debut album, "Generationwhy," electronic artist ZHU has unveiled his highly anticipated new project, "Black Midas," today, April 24th. The San Francisco Bay Area native, known for his distinctive digital identity and genre-bending approach to electronic pop, embarks on a sonic exploration that delves deeper into immersive, after-hours soundscapes, drawing explicit inspiration from the foundational architects of trip-hop and atmospheric electronica.
"Black Midas" marks a significant evolution in ZHU’s already established sound. While retaining the core of his electronic pop sensibilities, the album ventures into territories of late-night reverie, infused with cinematic textures and a palpable sense of introspection. Listeners will find echoes of trip-hop’s signature murky atmospheres and introspective narratives, which ZHU has masterfully woven into his contemporary production. The album masterfully fuses deep house rhythms with crisp, melodic techno, culminating in what is being hailed as one of his most impactful and cohesive statements to date.
This release arrives as ZHU gears up for a significant live performance at London’s iconic Roundhouse on July 18th. In anticipation of the album drop and the upcoming London date, ZHU sat down with CLASH magazine to discuss the sonic influences that shaped "Black Midas," offering a rare glimpse into the creative process behind this ambitious project. His selections reveal a profound appreciation for artists who have consistently pushed the boundaries of electronic music, prioritizing mood, narrative, and an almost tangible atmosphere.
The Genesis of "Black Midas": A Decade of Evolution
ZHU’s journey in the music industry has been characterized by a deliberate and often enigmatic approach to his artistry. From his early days, he cultivated a unique digital persona, allowing his music to speak for itself while meticulously crafting an online presence that mirrored the mysterious and alluring nature of his sound. "Generationwhy," released in 2014, was a watershed moment, establishing him as a prominent voice in the electronic music scene. Its success was a testament to his ability to craft infectious yet sophisticated electronic anthems.
Now, ten years on, "Black Midas" represents a confident stride forward, demonstrating ZHU’s continued artistic growth and his commitment to sonic innovation. The album’s thematic core appears to revolve around introspection, duality, and the allure of the nocturnal. The title itself, "Black Midas," suggests a touch that transforms the ordinary into something darker, perhaps more potent, hinting at the alchemical process of creation that underpins the record.
Sonic Architects of the Night: ZHU’s Inspirations
ZHU’s candid discussion of his influences for "Black Midas" offers a compelling insight into the album’s atmospheric depth and thematic resonance. He specifically highlighted several seminal works that profoundly shaped his creative direction:
Portishead – "Dummy" (1994)
ZHU’s admiration for Portishead’s debut album, "Dummy," is particularly telling. He singles out Adrian Utley’s guitar work on tracks like "Glory Box" as embodying a “dark, moody, and groaning sound” that he finds captivating. The cinematic quality of the album, coupled with the raw vulnerability of Beth Gibbons’ vocals and the groundbreaking trip-hop production, creates a listening experience that ZHU finds enduringly powerful.
"I was driving a lot when I was making ‘Black Midas’," ZHU revealed, "and a lot of the drives were long night drives, so yeah… Portishead." This connection between nocturnal journeys and the melancholic, atmospheric sound of "Dummy" underscores the album’s thematic undercurrents. The album’s influence can be heard in the haunting textures and introspective moods that permeate "Black Midas," suggesting a deliberate effort to evoke a similar sense of brooding introspection within his own compositions. The raw emotionality of Portishead’s work, a hallmark of the trip-hop genre, seems to have provided a blueprint for ZHU’s exploration of darker emotional palettes.
Massive Attack – "Mezzanine" (1998)
The influence of Massive Attack, another titan of trip-hop, is also a significant factor in the genesis of "Black Midas." ZHU expressed a particular affinity for their seminal album, "Mezzanine," noting its profound impact on his creative headspace during the album’s production.
"I know my current album is a club record, but I may have to make a trip-hop album next… I would be great at it, since I’ve been bumping Massive Attack for weeks," he stated, humorously hinting at the depth of his current immersion in the genre. The logistical challenges of creating "Black Midas" – recorded, written, mixed, and finished entirely from a moving Sprinter van – mirrored the clandestine and almost illicit feel of a heist, a narrative he found amplified by the sonic landscape of "Mezzanine."
"Having to record, write, mix, and finish this entire record all out of a moving SPRINTER van, I felt like Bond on a heist… ‘Mezzanine’ definitely added to the feeling of my story," ZHU explained. This unconventional recording environment likely contributed to the album’s sense of urgency and its often gritty, yet sophisticated, sonic textures. "It allowed me to tap into the melancholy and power at the same time. ‘Angel’s’ got to be an all-time great." The track "Angel" from "Mezzanine" is a prime example of Massive Attack’s ability to blend dark, driving rhythms with an almost oppressive sense of dread and power, elements that ZHU seems to have channeled into the more intense moments of "Black Midas."
Sade – "Love Deluxe" (1992)
In contrast to the darker influences, ZHU also draws inspiration from the smooth, sensual elegance of Sade, specifically her 1992 album, "Love Deluxe." This choice reveals the breadth of ZHU’s sonic palette and his appreciation for music that offers both emotional depth and a comforting warmth.
"I mean, the voice, the groove. This record is as warm as a mother’s hug after a long day," ZHU described. He further elaborated, comparing its comforting quality to a hearty meal after enduring harsh weather: "It’s more comforting than a bowl of spicy rigatoni after being trapped in a winter blizzard." The album’s understated elegance in its writing, arrangement, and mixing – a testament to the "less is more" philosophy – appears to have resonated with ZHU’s own approach to crafting sophisticated electronic music. This influence likely manifests in the more melodic and perhaps even sensual aspects of "Black Midas," offering moments of respite and refined beauty amidst the album’s darker explorations.
Faithless – "Sunday 8pm" (1998)
ZHU’s inclusion of Faithless’s "Sunday 8pm" highlights his belief in the power of storytelling within dance music, a quality he feels is often lacking in contemporary electronic releases. He praises Maxi Jazz’s lyrical prowess and his ability to convey a meaningful message.
"Dance music rarely tells a story these days," ZHU observed. "Maxi Jazz has got a message tho. I guess that’s why people don’t really listen to too many electronic albums… 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." This sentiment suggests that "Black Midas" is not just an album of beats and melodies, but a narrative journey intended to engage listeners on a deeper, more thematic level. The emphasis on narrative and "the why" indicates a conscious effort to imbue his tracks with a sense of purpose and emotional resonance, a quality that made albums like "Sunday 8pm" so impactful.
Groove Armada – "Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub)" (2001)
Finally, ZHU acknowledges the primal power of groove as exemplified by Groove Armada’s "Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub)." This seemingly simple appreciation for a good groove speaks volumes about ZHU’s understanding of electronic music’s fundamental appeal.
"Vibes. Sometimes people don’t need to talk so much," he stated. "When music has a good groove, people shut the fuck up." This concise observation underscores ZHU’s ability to create music that is both intellectually stimulating and viscerally engaging. It suggests that while "Black Midas" may be rich in thematic depth and intricate production, it also retains a core focus on creating an undeniable, dancefloor-ready energy. The album’s ability to command attention through sheer sonic force is clearly a deliberate and valued aspect of his artistry.
Broader Implications and Future Trajectory
The release of "Black Midas" and the accompanying discussion of ZHU’s influences arrive at a time when the electronic music landscape continues to evolve. The resurgence of interest in trip-hop’s atmospheric qualities and narrative-driven songwriting suggests a broader trend toward more introspective and textured electronic music. ZHU’s ability to synthesize these influences into a modern context positions him as a key artist in this ongoing evolution.
His upcoming performance at the Roundhouse in London is likely to be a significant event, offering fans an opportunity to experience "Black Midas" in a live setting. The venue’s reputation for hosting groundbreaking musical acts suggests a fitting stage for ZHU’s immersive and evocative sound. The success of "Black Midas" could further solidify ZHU’s status as a critically acclaimed artist capable of pushing the boundaries of electronic music, potentially influencing a new generation of producers and artists to explore the rich sonic and thematic possibilities that lie within the genre. The album’s intricate layering and emotional depth suggest that it will be a work that rewards repeated listens, revealing new nuances and interpretations with each engagement.
The fact that ZHU is contemplating a full trip-hop album in the future is a testament to the enduring power of the genre and his own artistic curiosity. Should he pursue this direction, it would undoubtedly be a significant development, offering a contemporary reinterpretation of a sound that has profoundly shaped the electronic music canon. The journey from "Generationwhy" to "Black Midas," marked by a decade of artistic growth and a deep dive into the foundational sounds of electronic music, signals a promising and exciting future for ZHU and his dedicated fanbase.
Photo Credit: Jaxon Whittington
