GRAMMY-nominated producer, songwriter, and electronic music visionary ZHU has expanded his latest creative chapter with the release of BLACK MIDAS DLXZZZ, the deluxe edition of his 2026 album BLACK MIDAS. Released via Broke / BLACKLIZT Sound Syndicate, the expanded project adds two brand-new songs, “THE CALLING” and “SUNDOWN,” while further developing one of this year’s most immersive electronic music releases.
The deluxe edition builds upon the original BLACK MIDAS, which marked ZHU’s return to the darker corners of house and techno after years of exploring genre-blurring electronic music. Alongside the original tracklist, BLACK MIDAS DLXZZZ officially incorporates the previously released singles “3 AM IN ???????” and “SMOKE UP IN THE AIR,” while introducing the new focus track “THE CALLING” and closing track “SUNDOWN.” “THE CALLING” arrives with a cinematic music video filmed in the snowy landscapes of Alaska, pairing stark natural scenery with the moody atmosphere that has become synonymous with ZHU’s artistic vision.
The release also provides additional context to one of the most personal projects of ZHU’s career. BLACK MIDAS was largely created after the Southern California Palisades wildfire displaced the artist from his home. Although his house and studio remained standing, extensive smoke damage left both uninhabitable. Rather than pause production, ZHU spent much of the following year traveling across the United States in a Mercedes Sprinter van, producing music remotely while rebuilding his life and collaborating with artists from different parts of the country. That period of constant movement became the foundation for BLACK MIDAS, with its late-night themes, atmospheric production, and underground club sensibilities reflecting the places, people, and experiences encountered along the journey.
Musically, BLACK MIDAS DLXZZZ embraces deep house, melodic techno, and hypnotic dancefloor production while continuing to blur the lines between electronic music and cinematic storytelling. The album features collaborations with Mahmut Orhan on “IN THE WILD,” Joyia on “BURN,” South African artist GCBestBelieve on “LEVELZZZ,” and R&B duo THEY. on “5STARRR,” alongside additional contributions from HNTR and ZONLY. The original version of “LEVELZZZ” was praised by Billboard for its dark, driving energy, reinforcing the album’s embrace of underground club music over mainstream festival EDM.
Beyond the studio, ZHU continues to distinguish himself as one of electronic music’s most ambitious live performers. His shows combine DJing, live vocals, instrumentation, visual production, and immersive stage design into performances that function as complete artistic experiences rather than traditional club sets. Earlier this year, he returned to Ultra Music Festival for the first time since 2017 with an elaborate BLACK MIDAS presentation that placed him in the center of the audience, surrounded by mannequins while elements of the stage erupted in flames, creating one of the festival’s most memorable performances.
The release of BLACK MIDAS DLXZZZ coincides with an extensive international touring schedule that will see ZHU perform throughout Europe and North America during the second half of 2026. Stops include Tomorrowland in Belgium, Audioriver Festival in Poland, The Roundhouse in London, Club Chinois Ibiza, and Pacha Munich, before returning to the United States for performances in Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Austin, San Francisco, Dallas, and several additional cities through the fall.
Since breaking onto the global electronic music scene with “Faded” in 2014, a single that earned a GRAMMY Award nomination for Best Dance Recording, ZHU has steadily built one of the genre’s most distinctive catalogs. Albums including GENERATIONWHY, RINGOS DESERT, DREAMLAND 2021, and GRACE have showcased his ability to merge electronic production with R&B, house, techno, film, and visual art while continually evolving beyond expectations.
With BLACK MIDAS DLXZZZ, ZHU revisits the underground club roots that first established his reputation while expanding the emotional and sonic world introduced on BLACK MIDAS. Rather than functioning as a traditional deluxe edition, the project feels like a continuation of the larger concept, offering new music that deepens the album’s narrative while reinforcing ZHU’s reputation as one of electronic music’s most forward-thinking artists.
Featured image credit: ZHU
