Review Summary: We Can Make a New Creation
Well ever since Faded exploded on the world, and with his Grammy nomination, the Korean producer ZHU can say, he has a really successful year behind himself. Now he – after postponing the release date several time – finally released his new EP: Genesis. Well I’m going to start out with clarifying this: I love ZHU. Even though on his first EP (Nightday), not all the tracks were excellent, but his style, with his unique kinda deep house-ish, smoky bars/city streets music, he won a place for himself in my favourite artist list (what an honour indeed).
Well I’ve been a little scared when I downloaded the album from iTunes, because the aesthetics of the album were a bit too familiar, the cover is black and white it resembles the older one in many ways (well it’s a bit darker to be honest), so I was afraid: will he ride the “playsafe-train” like many others do nowadays (especially in the Electronic scene). Well happily I can inform you, ZHU made something outstanding with this release. Okay before I get too much into it, I shall warn you: if you didn’t liked ZHUs previous releases, you probably going to hate this even more (I still recommend a listening cuz’ who knows am I right?). But with this done, let’s get into it.
Well it’s maybe my personal opinion, but I think an albums goal, is to progress its artist, while staying true to its roots, sounds etc. So basically, to be the same, but different, but the same. It may sounds impossible but if we look at the big albums of big artists and bands it’s always this way. And ZHU hits the nail in the head so strong, it blasted through the wall. The keyword to this album is: Fusion. ZHU fuses all kinds of music with his style, and because of this, all 6 tracks of this EP feel different but still similar.
The EP kicks off with Modern Conversation, which starts as any ZHU track would, a really bass with a catchy refrain “Give it to me / Psycho communication / Give it to me / This is more than just relations / Give it to me / We can test the patience of this modern generation / We can make a new creation” and they make one. Because towards the end, the track blends into a rock guitar solo witch combined with tracks great bassline, makes an awesome kick-off to start the album with.
Up next is Hold Up Wait a Minute witch is a really brave fusion: the fusion of ZHUs deep-ish style and hip-hop spiced up with a trumpet and organ based “refrain”. The track really wakes up that smoky-bar/underground club theme that really fits ZHU.
The next one is one of the EPs highlight: Working for It what is a surprise, taking the fact that it was made with Skrillex (I’m not against that guy but I can’t take his music seriously), the tracks bass+piano “drop” with the awesome vocals of THEY. make such a groovy and atmospheric track that I can’t walk in the city without listening to it anymore.
As crazy as it is, As Crazy as It Is, is maybe the only track on the album that is lacking in depth. Even though the promise of the deep house-Reggae fusion can sound exciting, but the vocals are not working that well, and the scratch effects make the track feel like a watered-down version of Hold Up. Still not a huge turndown but a bit of a bummer.
Testarossa Music however, makes up for it. The track is an awesome blend of Pop and this deep house thingy of ZHU’s spiced up with an electric guitar, it will get you moving I can promise that.
Then comes the closing track Automatic is a beast. Easily the top of the EP and one of the best tracks (I know its personal but I’m just trying to make a connection) I’ve heard this year. The haunting melody the punching bassline, the vocals the sax at the end. It’s a truly unique track to close a truly unique EP.
As I’ve said before this album is only this perfect if you like this style so because of the experimental part, I really recommend to any music digger just to hear some fresh and new, but I can totally see why you wouldn’t like it. Ill rate it high anyways.
”THE GENESIS SERIES WAS A FULL COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO CREATE SOMETHING BOLD, DIFFERENT, AND UNCOMFORTABLE, YET SONICALLY SO SMOOTH TO THE EARS. EVERY ARTIST CHOSEN CAME TO THE STUDIO AND WE CREATED FROM SCRATCH. ORGANICALLY RESPECTING THE ORIGINS OF HOW MUSIC WAS MADE. WE LED WITH OUR FIRST INSTINCTS, NEVER LETTING THE OUTSIDE AFFECT WHAT WE WANTED TO CONVEY ON THE INSIDE. FROM R&B, REGGAE, HOUSE, GARAGE. TRAP, PSY-ROCK, TO HIP-HOP, THESE WERE THE MUSICAL ORIGINS OF OUR GENERATION, WHAT WE GREW UP ON. BY PAYING RESPECT TO THE PAST, WE CAN NOW LOOK INTO THE FUTURE.”
-Z
