Inside ZHU’s new techno album BLACK MIDAS
ZHU has returned to his darker club roots with ‘BLACK MIDAS,’ channeling a year of survival into a raw, late-night sound.
ZHU has dropped his new techno album ‘BLACK MIDAS,’ and it opens in a pretty eerie way. A voice asks, “What color do you see in my future?” and a Turkish fortune teller answers, “All black,” setting the tone right away.
That intro leads straight into a project built for late nights and dark dance floors. The whole album leans into darker sounds, with slower burning grooves and a more underground feel compared to some of his past work.
It also reflects where ZHU is at right now after a chaotic year. “2025 was survival mode,” he told LA Weekly, describing the album as something that came out of pushing through a tough period.
A big part of that came from being displaced by California wildfires, which forced him out of his home and studio. Instead of stopping, he spent the year on the road, making music wherever he could and rebuilding his sound from scratch.
That process helped bring him back to his roots in club music. The project connects closely with his BLACKLIZT concept, focusing on raw, dancefloor-driven energy and a more stripped-back, immersive vibe.
Across 14 tracks, ‘BLACK MIDAS’ moves between deep house and melodic techno, with features from Mahmut Orhan, THEY., and Joyia. Overall, it feels like a reset for ZHU. The release is less polished, more intentional, and fully locked into the darker, club-focused sound he built his name on.
Featured Image Courtesy of Angelica Ageeva
About The Author
Neil Bayless
Hey everyone, I'm Neil! I first joined the dance community back in 2019 when my friend dragged me to Moonrise, my first-ever music festival, and I became hooked ever since. I like to dabble in most genres with my favorites being tech house and melodic techno. When it comes to studio output, Camelphat is part of my daily listening rotation and for a live performance, I'll never miss a Solomun set. You can likely catch me on the dance floor somewhere in Brooklyn!
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