Review: Zedd’s New Album ‘Telos’ Marks a Decade of Innovation, Emotion, and Genre-Defying Soundscapes
AFTER ALMOST A DECADE OF DEDICATION — GRAMMY Award-winning artist Zedd has returned with his long-awaited album, Telos. The 10-track journey is more than just music; it’s a deep dive into Zedd’s personal evolution and his approach to blending genres. With roots in classical music and the vibrant dance-pop sound that contributed to his fame, Telos includes an impressive list of collaborators, including John Mayer, Remi Wolf, Muse, Bea Miller, and the legendary Jeff Buckley. It’s described as an ambitious project that defies fleeting trends and instead aims to carve its own timeless path. The Luna Collective had the opportunity to hear from Zedd about his creative process and how he’s navigated the ever-shifting landscape of electronic dance music.
The album didn’t just come together overnight, with some of the ideas dating back to 2015. “It’s tough to pinpoint when I really started,” he shared. “The pandemic felt like the right moment to dive in, but honestly, I struggled to find inspiration. I created a lot of great music that just didn’t feel right for the album. I wasn’t interested in making something just for the sake of it; I wanted it to be special.”
What stands out about Telos is how it reflects Zedd’s artistic growth. Compared to earlier hits such as True Colors and Clarity, his new album instead reveals a more mature, introspective side of him. “Ten years ago, I was really insecure about writing lyrics, especially since English is my third language. With Telos, I got heavily involved in both the lyrics and melodies. I feel like my sound is more sophisticated now. It’s less about showing off and more about knowing when to hold back,” he explained.
His vision for Telos was to create a seamless experience where each track flows into the next, which creates a unique listening journey. “I wanted it to feel like an experience you go through from start to finish. Playlists are great for mixing things up, but an album can create a deeper connection, transitioning from one track to the next in an intelligent way,” he said.
The album kicks off with the ethereal track, “Out of Time,” featuring Bea Miller, and wraps up with the six-minute, Bach-inspired “1685” featuring Muse. It takes listeners on a rollercoaster of emotions and genres. A standout moment is “Sona,” which combines Irish whistles and real drums with Zedd’s signature electronic synths. “‘Sona’ plays with different time signatures and instruments, really allowing the music to become what it wants to be,” Zedd described.
Collaborating with a diverse array of artists was important in shaping Telos. Zedd worked with rock legends like Muse and alt-pop stars like Remi Wolf, even teaming up with the estate of Jeff Buckley to reimagine “Dream Brother.” “It was such an honor to work with Buckley’s music. Many of these artists, including Muse and John Mayer, have inspired me for years. Collaborating with them pushed me to create something better,” he reflected.
Although Zedd has faced challenges in past collaborations, Telos allowed him to explore fresh sounds and ideas in ways he couldn’t have achieved alone. “Balancing your voice with another artist’s can be tricky. A good collaboration elevates your work, but it’s not always easy,” he admitted. His work with John Mayer on “Automatic Yes” is a perfect example; without Mayer’s involvement, Zedd stated that the song might not have seen the light of day.
For Zedd, Telos represents more than just a collection of songs; it’s a reflection of his growth as both an artist and as a person. In fact, he describes it as his most ambitious and personal project yet. “Finishing Telos felt like an achievement I wasn’t sure I could pull off. Everything in the album is connected musically and conceptually. I wanted to create something that would be appreciated more over time, and I’m proud of that,” Zedd stated.
The creative process of Telos was an emotional and physical journey for Zedd, who poured his heart and soul into the album, often losing sleep as he chased after his vision. “If I had known then what it would take, I probably wouldn’t have done it again. That’s why Telos means ‘the end’— it felt like I gave everything,” he explained.
As Zedd continues the Telos tour, which includes sold-out shows and additional dates across North America, the album’s legacy is already making an impact on the EDM community. Fans and critics are raving about Telos for its innovative sound and bold risks Zedd took to create something truly distinctive. “I didn’t want to chase trends. I aimed to craft something timeless, something I could still be proud of 30 years from now,” he said.
With Telos, Zedd hasn’t just met expectations; instead, he’s redefined what an EDM album can be. It’s a testament to his creative vision, willingness to push boundaries, and commitment to creating art that resonates. As Zedd himself put it, “True artistry is about creating what you want as an artist, not what people expect.” And with Telos, he’s done just that.
CONNECT WITH ZEDD
