Generationwhy
| Generationwhy |
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| Studio album by Zhu |
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| Released |
29 July 2016 |
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| Recorded |
2015–16 |
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| Genre |
Electronic |
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| Length |
59:00 |
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| Label |
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| Producer |
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| Zhu chronology |
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Genesis Series EP
(2015)Genesis Series EP2015 |
Generationwhy
(2016) |
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| Singles from Generationwhy |
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- "Working for It"
Released: November 9, 2015
- "In the Morning"
Released: February 25, 2016
- "Generationwhy"
Released: June 13, 2016
- "Palm of My Hand"
Released: July 15, 2016
- "Hometown Girl"
Released: July 29, 2016
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Generationwhy is the debut studio album by electronic music producer Zhu, released on 29 July 2016 by Columbia Records.[1] The album features works and vocals from the likes of Maya Angelou, Jaymes Young, Nylo, Mitch Bell, Nikola Bedingfield, Adam Schmalholz, and Broods. The album followed after the success of ZHU's collaborative debut EP Genesis Series, released in 2015.
Critical reception
Upon release, Generationwhy received mixed reviews. The Guardian found Generationwhy an "at times, beguiling blend of mid-tempo electronic pop." Noting that ZHU successfully assimilated a lot of current Balearic dance music "influences into something distinctly his own", the review also argued that not all the songs transcended "the tropes of the genre that inspired them."[3] Drowned in Sound was somewhat less impressed: "The album is essentially a series of enjoyable yet unremarkable house-pop songs." That being said the reviewer found some redeeming qualities, "Unlike many of these artists, Zhu includes what might be a surprising amount of 'live' instrumentation which generally add to the noir feeling."[5] Soundfiction stated: "The music that makes up the entirety of Generationwhy lives in a dark, neo-noir aesthetic inspired world, giving listeners a blend of music that lies somewhere between the synth inspired sounds of the [']80s built on top of a deep house bassline with the vocal stylings of The Weeknd's House of Balloons mixtape." The review also judged that "Few, if any were expecting pop or bass driven sounds or a radio-type of style from Zhu, but many were probably hoping for something in the sounds of 'Faded' or 'Working for It', which unfortunately is sparsely found."[6]
The album debuted at number 109 on the Billboard 200, selling 3,000 copies in its first week. It also debuted at number one on the Dance/Electronic Albums chart in the United States.[7]
Track listing
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| 1. | "Intro (Neon City)" | | Zhu | 1:09 |
| 2. | "Cold Blooded" | | Zhu | 4:18 |
| 3. | "In the Morning" | | Zhu | 4:06 |
| 4. | "Secret Weapon" | | Zhu | 4:03 |
| 5. | "Electrify Me" | Zhu | Zhu | 4:15 |
| 6. | "Numb" | | Zhu | 4:27 |
| 7. | "Palm of My Hand" | | Zhu | 6:13 |
| 8. | "Money" | | Zhu | 5:07 |
| 9. | "One Minute to Midnight" | Zhu | Zhu | 4:15 |
| 10. | "Reaching" | | Zhu | 4:31 |
| 11. | "Hometown Girl" | | Zhu | 4:12 |
| 12. | "Good Life" | | Zhu | 4:31 |
| 13. | "Generationwhy" | Zhu | Zhu | 3:52 |
| 14. | "Working for It" (with Skrillex and THEY.) (bonus track) | | | 3:51 |
| Total length: | 59:00 |
Notes
- "Intro (Neon City)" features uncredited spoken word from poetic writer Maya Angelou.
- "Cold Blooded" features uncredited vocals from Jaymes Young.
- "In the Morning" features sampled lyrics from "Touch Me" by Rui da Silva.
- "Secret Weapon" features uncredited vocals from Nylo.
- "Palm of My Hand" features uncredited spoken word from Valentine Baran.
- "Reaching" features uncredited vocals from Nikola Bedingfield.
- "Hometown Girl" features uncredited vocals from Jaymes Young.
- "Good Life" features uncredited spoken word from Adam Schmalholz and uncredited vocals from Broods.
Charts
References
[2]