ZHU Enters a New Era with ‘GRACE’

ZHU offers a sinister yet sultry atmosphere for listeners to bask in after opening the doors to the soundscapes on GRACE.

Few artists have encapsulated a multi-faceted approach as ZHU has over the years. During his ascent in the scene, those following him have been treated to captivating soundscapes, unique art displays, high-end fashion statements, and performances that have panged deep in hearts. ZHU has made it clear that nothing will get in the way of his creativity with each dynamic project he’s crafted, and now he’s fully entered a new era with the release of GRACE.

ZHU opened the doors to the GRACE era last year with an exclusive show at the Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, where he recorded most of the album. From there, a conjoined tour helped build hype for what was to come from the artist as he graced the stage at beloved venues across North America during the final months of 2023. A flurry of singles littered those months, adding further context to the story that ZHU intended to tell the world as he took his next steps forward.

At long last, GRACE has become available for the masses to consume in all its glory. Found inside the album, which is out now on Astralwerks, are 15 tracks on the first disc, with another helping of six additional tunes found on the second disc, all allowing listeners to glimpse a different side of ZHU as he transitions from the darkness to the light.

While ZHU has collaborated with other artists in the past, his work with fellow contemporaries defines the tracks on GRACE. “The process of making a record has kind of been lost, in my opinion, in terms of being able to have synergy between a group of people, so I think that Grace was the origin for me to remind myself and everybody that was there,” he told us in our interview with him last year.

The album features producers like Chee, The Bloody Beetroots, Devault, Emotional Oranges, Herizen, UPSAHL, and more, showing off a range of styles along the way. Collaborative standouts include “Rolling” with The Bloody Beetroots, “Praise” with BANKS and bludnymph, “Take My Soul” with Devault, and “The Gates” with Zero 9:36, while solo tracks like “Villain,” “Love Is Strong,” and “Bloodmoon Ritual” are just as solid.

Signature elements that ZHU brings to his releases still stand prominently on display, from sleek synths to swelling basslines that throb, and he’s added even more into the mix with organs, strings, and even a choir. After all, these tracks were recorded live at the Grace Cathedral, with many being first takes, adding to the ambiance of this sinister yet sultry album from one of the scene’s finest.

True to his creative nature, GRACE isn’t just an album for listeners to bask in; it will double as the soundtrack for the forthcoming film that ZHU created. He’s also in the midst of the next leg of the album’s tour, which will take him to cities throughout South America and Asia in the coming weeks.

Listen to GRACE on Spotify or your preferred platform, and follow ZHU on social media as he continues his creative journey in the scene.

Stream ZHU – GRACE on Spotify:

ZHU – GRACE – Tracklist:

Disc 1:

Crossroads featuring Chee

Rolling featuring The Bloody Beetroots

The Gates featuring Zero 9:36

Thrill Again featuring UPSAHL

Love Is Strong

Villain

Grace Hymn featuring Herizen

Preach featuring Rush Davis + BLCKPNDA

Praise featuring BANKS + Bludnymph

Risk & Consequence

Bloodmoon Ritual

Bleed featuring JOY., Andy Caldwell, Satellite Mode, Birds Of Mind

Settle for Less featuring Sabrina Claudio

Dragonfruit featuring Emotional Oranges

Blessings

Disc 2:

Take My Soul with Devault

Blind Believer with Reo Cragun and Rexx Life Raj

Devil’s Prescription

Days Before Grace

Changes

Revelations with Devault and BabyJake

Follow ZHU:

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