Today, Astralwerks released ZHU’s new single, Risky Business. At once ominous and mesmerizing, the track unfolds by turns languid and propulsive but always with an underlying tension. ZHUߣs hushed vocals lure the listener to “risk it all” and enter into the dark, enticing world of the unknown. Download / stream Risky Business HERE.
Filmed in Los Angeles, the official video appears to be a piece of jumpy surveillance footage from an experiment known as Project 20201. The camera captures the provocative activities of a series of unknown subjects who frequent a bedroom. After a fade to black and a flip to black and white film, the surveillance continues. The subjects are gone and a team of fixers, clad in hazmat suits, descend on the location to remove any evidence of what transpired. Watch for ZHU’s appearance in the final frames, his role as mysterious as Project 20201 itself. ZHU directed the official video alongside Joey Vitalari. Kristin Schaefer produced. View Risky Business HERE.
To accompany the release of Risky Business, ZHU has launched new merchandise collection, inspired by the video. Offerings include an unreleased content hard drive, a hazmat suit, an evidence bag, safety glasses, a duffle bag and a variety of attire, including an orange faux fur coat. All items are available by chance in mystery bags. Browse the collection, which will be available for a limited time, HERE.
Last night, ZHU premiered Risky Business during the second installment of CLUB ZHUM, a livestream from the risky epicenter of the world of the Zhudio. During his set, he incorporated some of the Risky Business merchandise. Earlier in the week, he celebrated the second anniversary of the release of Ringos Desert with the release of limited-edition vinyl and associated merchandise in his store.
The artwork for the single features a series of stills from the video, shot by Joey Vitalari. Risky Business follows ZHU’s recent collaborations with Kito (Follow ft. Jeremih), Tinashe (ONLY), partywithray (CAME FOR THE LOW) and Bob Moses (Desire). EDM.com said, “ZHU has continuously impressed throughout 2020”; and noted, “catchy club anthem (Follow) is set to fill playlists around the globe with its snappy percussion, striking piano chords, and flawless vocal contribution from Jeremih.” Praising the dance floor burner, YourEDM said, “We couldn’t dream up a better collaborative trio.” ZHU’s recent performances have included Inside Lands, the virtual festival presented by Outside Lands, and Virtual Lollapalooza 2020. ZHU has also recently launched partnerships with Luminosity Gaming and Leica.
