Following a transformative year that redefined both his personal life and artistic direction, ZHU has officially released his latest full-length project, BLACK MIDAS. Arriving on April 24, the album represents a deliberate pivot toward the darker, more visceral corners of the club landscape, characterized by the artist as "techno as an attitude."
The genesis of BLACK MIDAS is deeply rooted in a period of significant upheaval. After being displaced by the Southern California Palisades wildfire, ZHU spent much of 2025 in a state of constant motion, creating music while living on the road. Without the stability of a permanent studio, the album was assembled piece by piece across the country, utilizing remote collaborations and drawing inspiration from the diverse environments he encountered.
“2025 was survival mode… This album represents surviving.”
This sense of urgency and resilience permeates the project, moving beyond simple dancefloor utility to offer a late-night narrative built on atmosphere, tension, and spatial awareness. While BLACK MIDAS is firmly anchored in the techno tradition, it refuses to be confined by rigid genre boundaries. Across its 14 tracks, ZHU navigates a sophisticated palette that includes deep house, melodic techno, and avant-garde experimentalism. The title track, 'BLACK MIDAS,' delivers a heavy, driving energy, while other selections retreat into more introspective, atmospheric territory.
The album also features a curated selection of collaborations, including Mahmut Orhan, THEY., Joyia, and GCBestBelieve. These artists contribute distinct textures that enhance the project's depth without compromising ZHU's singular vision. The project aligns closely with ZHU’s recent BLACKLIZT concept, which prioritizes stripped-down DJ sets and the raw energy of underground club environments. Rather than attempting to bridge the gap between radio-friendly pop and underground dance music, BLACK MIDAS commits fully to the latter.
“If I’m going to make music for dancing, everybody better be dancing… I don’t want to do two things at the same time.”
This focused approach marks a significant reset for ZHU. It is an intentional, raw, and authoritative statement from an artist who has always operated on the periphery of the mainstream, choosing instead to lead through innovation and atmosphere.