ZHU's journey into the limelight is unlike most. The mysterious act successfully flipped the electronic music scene on its head, substituting physical appearance and mass blast marketing for anonymity and exclusivity.
As a result, he's gained headliner status and garnered more than 300 million total streams. His elusive tactics and moody house cuts compete with the best, keeping fans on their toes with each release. Here's Billboard Dance's list of the 10 best ZHU songs to date.
10. ZHU – "Paradise Awaits"
"Paradise Awaits" is classic ZHU. The song is piloted by soft organ chords, a perky bassline and bubbly plucks, all of which clasp to his mysterious tone.
9. ZHU – "Cocaine Model"
ZHU layers vibes on vibes here. He sings atop plush pads and dreamy melodies that will have you unwind and rewind.
8. ZHU – "Nightcrawler"
ZHU goes goth on "Nightcrawler," laying a retro instrumental underneath some airy vocals and distorted, spooky liners. He also puts pop-crossover acts like The Chainsmokers, Kygo and Marshmello on blast in the track's music video.
7. ZHU – "The One"
ZHU’s smooth falsetto vocals shine here atop a melancholy instrumental that builds in waves. The tune is in good company on The Nightday EP, slotted right after "Superfriends."
6. ZHU x AlunaGeorge – "Automatic"
AlunaGeorge's sexy vocals lay perfectly over ZHU’s nimble house production "Automatic." The addition to ZHU’s vocals create for a compelling conversation with the London singer-songwriter. Let's not forget that sultry sax solo at the end too.
5. ZHU – "In the Morning"
The details in ZHU’s song "In the Morning" are just as vivid as its music video. He mixes buoyant house elements and melodic, hollow plucks in this moody concoction.
4. ZHU – "Superfriends"
Why be friends when you can be superfriends? ZHU preaches this in his dark, catchy cut off The Nightday EP. The track’s bassline and guitar melody are simple, yet satisfying.
3. ZHU – "Generationwhy"
ZHU’s song "Generationwhy" leads with a cinematic sequence that’s followed by groovy house struts. He adds some pop-powdered vocals and sexy guitar riffs to the production, leaving fans with one of his most commercial releases so far.
2. ZHU x Skrillex x THEY. – "Working for It"
The bonus song on ZHU’s 14-track Generationwhy LP ended up being his biggest song on the album. The Skrillex-tagged collaboration also includes fresh hip-hop contributions from Los Angeles duo THEY.
1. ZHU – "Faded"
ZHU’s monumental rise all started with "Faded,” his breakout single that has tallied over 100 million Spotify streams to date. Its thumping bassline and ghostly vocals took the enigmatic act to No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart at the end of 2014. ZHU’s song has been bumping ever since.