The fourth album by ZHU, Grace, maintains the Bay Area native’s signature electronic sound while embracing elements of pop and hip-hop.
The album’s opening track, “Crossroads,” foreshadows the journey ahead. ZHU’s vocals begins soft, but a dispersing effect sets listeners on edge. It sets the artist, Steven Zhu, up to blow listeners way off the edge as the risers fade and an oppressive 808 beat pushes you over to fill the scene. Grace is supposed to make you feel a little uncertain, and “Crossroads” prepares you for that.
Grace, so named after San Francisco’s beloved Grace Cathedral, where he began recording, is a vulnerable album, talking about themes like longing, remorse and harsh realizations. Even a song with a name like”Love is Strong” explores insecurities and uncertainties of a love that once felt unstoppable. ZHU uses a loose-sounding saw synth over a heavy beat to boost these feelings.
Other tracks like “Praise,” featuring BANKS and bludnymph; “Blind Believer,” with Rea Cragun and Vallejo rapper Rexx Life Raj; and “Devil’s Prescription” all blend hip-hop, pop and EDM. “Praise” begins with Spanish guitar lines before quickly morphing into a hard-hitting rap with BANKS, bludnymyph and ZHU all sharing the mic. “Blind Believer” has a glitchy rap beat to go along with Rea Cragun and Rexx Life Raj’s rhymes. ZHU even raps a little bit over his own arrangement on “Devil’s Prescription.”
Following “Praise” in the middle of side A is “Rise & Consequence.” ZHU immediately sets the mood of this slow track with unsettling vocal samples. This has the effect of creating space for the lyrics, while a heavy synth sets in before long. This eventually breaks into a loose bluesy guitar strains. The song encourages you to groove out all your bad feelings as it comes to a satisfying, yet disorienting, climax.
One of the cooler tracks, “Bloodmoon Ritual,” which fits its title with an eerie and epic sound. An ominous looping guitar riff starts the song before ZHU takes over with a haunting concoction of synth, bass, drums, effects and samples. A voice repeatedly chants “Blood Moon” until the chant fades into soft guitar strains and singing.
ZHU partners up with Devault to kick off side B with “Take My Soul.” The trance-inducing song balances ethereal vocals, fuzzy guitar, cracking drumming and chilling synth. If it hits you just right, it’ll sweep you off the ground.
“Revelations,” with BabyJake and Devault, closes out Grace. The simple piano and satisfying ping-pong synth set the scene for BabyJake’s vulnerable lyrics. ZHU and Devault’s crafted instrumentals build throughout the song. As the keys get heavier and heavier, the stakes get higher and higher. It’s a highlight and a resounding exclamation point.
ZHU has cemented himself as a veteran in electronic music. Grace, his first album since 2021’s DREAMLAND 2021, isn’t an uplifting album, but it is an honest one filled with heartbreak, hard breaks and heavy bass.
“Dragonfruit,” featuring duo Emotional Oranges, is also terrific. It begins with panning piano chords and body-shaking bass. These are occasionally met with quick bursts of speed-up drumming. The duo’s passionate back and forth highlights the emotion in ZHU’s arrangement - and vice-versa. Elsewhere, ZHU and Phoenix pop vocalist Upsahl sample George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” on “Thrill Again.”
Sabrina Claudio’s gripping voice steals the show on “Settle for Less.” On this vocal-centric song, ZHU features her vocals over a rolling dance beat. The brass and keys complement her well. This R&B dub song sneaks up on you and will get your head bobbing before you even notice.
- Peter Knezevich - riffmagazine.com
