Can you imagine recording an entire album inside a cathedral? Well, Zhu has done it, and not precisely to create religious music. This electronic artist based in San Francisco comes with a powerful proposition, and this fourth album is going to solidify it. Yes, he recorded it at Grace Cathedral in his hometown, and the album couldn't have any other name: Grace. It features collaborations that don't disappoint anyone, with names like Emotional Oranges and Upsahl among others, and of course, the most anticipated track, Settle For Less, featuring Sabrina Claudio.
Zhu has built a whole universe around this record. The theme is no secret with a title like this and the context of its creation. Without going further, the sound of Grace Hymn ft. Herizen transports us to the atmosphere of a church organ, complemented by Herizen's angelic voice, creating an almost spiritual musical experience. Additionally, Preach ft. Rush Davis + Blckpnda starts with the sound of a bell tower and also features the organ at the beginning. Then, the song takes a disruptive turn in its sound. But we'll tell you more about that later.
At the beginning of the album, the sound inevitably evokes a much more electronic and experimental version of The Weeknd. But don't let the first impression deceive you, as you can't imagine what comes next. Consisting of fifteen songs, each one presents a very different sound from the others. Forget what you've heard before; the next song will have nothing to do with the previous one. From melodic house to techno, with touches of dubstep, hip-hop, trap, rock, R&B, and even some hints of pop, this album is a true melting pot of musical genres. We're sure we're leaving out some genres, but if we were to start listing all the influences we find, we would never finish. However, even though each song transports you to completely different atmospheres, you would still say that the work is by Zhu. Few artists are capable of playing among so many genres and doing it really well. When defined as an "electronic cult," they are absolutely right.
The sound is meticulously crafted and carefully detailed, making it worth stopping and listening attentively. Although overall, the rhythm invites you to move and dance (with these basslines, it's inevitable), it's worth appreciating the delicacy with which each sound element is placed, each one has a well-thought-out reason for being there. I would dare say it's almost mandatory to listen to it in order and in one go, for a complete experience. Give it a try and let me know what you think.