Telos: Zedd’s Musical Triumph and a Testament to Timeless Creativity
August 30th, 2024 – GRAMMY® Award-winning artist, DJ, and producer Anton Zaslavski, better known as Zedd, is one of the top artists in the electronic music scene. From his Vegas residency to hit singles like “Clarity,” “Stay The Night,” and “The Middle,” Zedd has established himself as a powerhouse. His previous albums, Clarity—which defined his artistic direction—and True Colors—an album that challenged the status quo of electronic music—set the stage for his latest release.
…Now, nine years later, his long-awaited third album, Telos, has finally dropped.
In an interview with The Atlantic Journal-Constitution, Zedd shared, “It is an album that for many years I doubted I could create… I wanted something timeless, something that I would be proud of forever, and something that is very detailed, where every song leads into the next.”
Telos, presumably named to symbolize the accomplishment of reaching a goal, is a celebration of the human heart. The album includes 10 original singles that tell a cohesive story. Each song has its unique flavor, featuring familiar voices like Muse, John Mayer, and Remi Wolf. Add it together you’ve got a bold, fun, and masterful compilation. A compelling ode to all the marvels of Zedd’s musical mind.
We had the privilege of listening to the album ahead of time and reviewed each song, providing insights into the making of this well-worth-the-wait LP.
The album begins with “Out of Time” feat. Bea Miller. It embodies atmospheric strings and melodic synths, blending the classic Zedd sound with his new era. The first 20 seconds reprise a melody he used for his opening songs, making it the perfect setup for the album. “Tangerine,” also featuring Miller, continues the momentum with a soft introduction that builds into powerful lyrics and killer beats, exemplifying Zedd’s progressive house style.
“Shanti” is a perfect blend of classic Zedd, bass, and tribal house. This track is a gorgeous mix of orchestral elements and vocals, and just when you think it’s over, it builds back up with a quicker BPM and energized feel. “No Gravity,” featuring Bava, follows with a similar tribal-house and melodic vibe, where the powerful lyrics create a mesmerizing experience.
Next is “Sona” feat. olllam, which is personally my favorite track on the album. Think of a mix between “Lost At Sea” (from Clarity) and “Done With Love” (from True Colors). The piece starts with a groovy jazz feel that transitions into a pop-progressive buildup and eventually an electric orchestra, evoking happy emotions and making you want to dance. “Lucky,” feat. Remi Wolf, showcases her raspy voice paired perfectly with Zedd’s upbeat symphony, creating a light-hearted aura.
The next track, “Dream Brother,” is a masterpiece and could be considered the climax of the album. Inspired by rock legend Jeff Buckley, this song was originally just a concept. Zedd looked up to Buckley, and when he decided to remix Buckley’s original track, it unexpectedly became the cornerstone of the album. With its psychedelic soundscapes and Buckley’s soulful voice, this track takes you on an emotional journey, resonating deeply with both Zedd and his fans.
“Descensus,” featuring Dora Jar, which has a theatrical effect with stereo sound vocals from Jar and a hard-hitting electro-house anthem from Zedd. “Automatic Yes,” with John Mayer, combines Mayer’s rock-pop-blues vocals with a smooth, dynamic beat. This collaboration, a decade in the making, reflects a long-standing musical friendship between Mayer and Zedd.
The grand finale, “1685,” features none other than Muse. This six-minute track draws inspiration from Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier. It includes vocals from Matthew Bellamy, as well as contributions from the entire band, incorporating guitar, bass, and drums. The piece ends in a classical parade filled with heavenly strings and multiple layers, almost like a lullaby, creating a charming and emotionally rich ballad—a perfect closing for Zedd’s album.
Zedd told Universal Music Group (UMG) that while the process was painstaking, it was ultimately a labor of love.
“What I’ve always dreamed of doing is creating an album that I genuinely believe, 30 years from today, I will look back on and be incredibly proud of…It’s based on music, not trends or sound design that might fade. With Telos, I accomplished just that. It just took a bit of time to get there” – Zedd
Telos is out now on all streaming platforms.
And be sure to catch Zedd on his North America tour starting Friday September 6th.
Check out the full album below:
