"You're going to be hearing a lot more from him in 2014" -Pete Tong
“The music gods have blessed us with ZHU” – Vibe
“Dancefloor hypnosis” – Billboard
“Distils an original voice” – Dazed And Confused
“With his unconventional vocal and eye for detail, ZHU is quickly emerging as a rose amongst thorns” – The Guardian
"This one is going to be massive" - Mistajam
‘Faded’ is the first single from elusive LA artist, producer and vocalist ZHU. It will see official release in the UK via Polydor Records on July 21st.
With plenty of mystery and speculation but little in the way of marketing or publicity, ‘Faded’ has clocked up over four million accumulative plays online, topped the Hype Machine chart twice and has now become a permanent fixture there in the form of various edits and incarnations. It was endorsed by Pete Tong, Mistajam and Phil & Alice among others on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra and was given the official thumbs up by Diplo via his Soundcloud highlights account Diplo Approved. In Australia it ascended to #1 in the single and Triple J charts where it stayed for several weeks, while on the other side of the pond it went to #3 in the iTunes dance album charts as part of ZHU’s The Nightday EP.
With its smoky Italo disco beat, elastic garage keys, and ZHU's liquid falsetto delivering an intoxicating mantra-like ode to late-night reveling, ‘Faded’ is a resounding first offering from an artist already being regarded as one of 2014’s freshest and most exciting new voices.
Dimitri Kechagias review: It is shaped to become one of the biggest anthems of the summer for the deep house/ tech house /eclectic house scene. ZHU presents the fantastic super groovy production Faded with excellent set of remixes. The original is a dark, smoky, moody tech house production with unusual strangely pleasurable vocals that you don't know if they are coming from a man or a woman. The lyrics are simple and addictive and you can expect to learn them by heart after listening to them once. Melancholic synthy melodies, chunky groovy beats, deep haunting basslines and very erotic atmosphere as well. The Magician service an exceptional version that starts quite aggressive, distant and cold but very soon the emotional delicate melodies appear and bring warmth and sunshine in our hearts. Relaxing, soothing, inspiring with many excuses to raise your hands in the air and enjoy yourself on the dancefloor. ODESZA Remix is an excellent leftfield / lounge style composition with dubstep influences that floats really beautifully and carry you away. AMTRAC remix is an excellent retro futuristic house version with influences from early 90's with old school piano chords and organ riffs combined with colourful synths and much more upbeat euphoric atmosphere to it! Very pleasurable and one of those mood changers that will bring a smile in your face as long as the needle touches the grooves. Lido remix is the more experimental surprising version perfect for those slow jams hours of your dj set that will surprise you and make you hopeful about the creativity that young producers can bring to a track. Last but not least TACHES remix is an excellent electronic music meets deep dreamy tech house with warm sunny melodies and UK garage house influences as well. It is such an eclectic package that should not be missed! #PureGold Love iT
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