Zedd releases first album since 2015, TELOS

August 31, 2024

It has been almost a decade since Zedd released a studio album, but now he’s back with ‘Telos,’ out today, August 30.

After teasing the details of his new album on Instagram for weeks, Zedd officially released ‘Telos’. The ten-track release is the first studio album since ‘True Colors’ in 2015, almost a decade ago.

Since then, Zedd has shared several chart-topping singles, though none of these releases correlated to an official album. He has kept busy with headlining shows, like Zedd in the Park, his headlining event presented by Insomniac.

The release of Telos is a long time coming, but “from the heart,” as shared on Instagram. “It is my autobiography. It has every bit of my life in it, from early inspirations to my new favorite artists,” he continued.

Back in 2023, the producer revealed that his forthcoming album was “the most genuine and deeply personal” project of his to date. At EDC Las Vegas this past May, he shared the album’s release date via skywriting, and in June, he dropped “Out of Time” with Bea Miller, an emotive yet upbeat ballad that is the album’s first official single, and first track out of ten.

Earlier this month, Zedd unveiled the second single, “Lucky” with Remi Wolf, a cute tune with glitchy vocals. Both singles featured female singers with striking and powerful voices, which seemed to follow his previous hit-making formula.

On ‘Telos’, he continues the pop journey with rising singer Bava on the calming “No Gravity.” His second collaboration with Miller, “Tangerine Rays,” is a catchy tune with hints of disco nostalgia.

For the rest of ‘Telos’, Zedd decided to expand beyond his pop formula and explore other genres. He tapped previous collaborator Grey for “Shanti,” a heavy dance track with worldly influences.

“Sona,” featuring the ollam, is a funky instrumental that is reminiscent of a video game theme song. “Dream Brother” is a mighty anthem with vocals from the dearly departed musician, Jeff Buckley.

For the final third of the album, Zedd ups the ante with “Descensus,” featuring Dora Jar. The fidgety beat is most reminiscent of the sound that he popularized on his first album, ‘Clarity’.

On “Automatic Yes,” Zedd recruits John Mayer to lend his sultry vocal for a smooth radio-ready tune. The final track, “1685” with rock icons Muse, revs up before dropping listeners into a lucid dream state.

“1685” is the album’s longest song, which is on brand for the band’s notably epic ballads. The album’s final moments feature classical instrumentals, which honor Zedd’s musical roots, as well as the album title’s Greek origins.

The translation of “telos” means “an end, fulfilment, completion, goal”—and ultimately, Zedd achieves that, by flexing his musical fluidity that also pays homage to his journey as a musical artist. Next month, he embarks on a North American tour to support ‘Telos,’ and tickets are on sale now.