Following the success of his latest album BLACK MIDAS, electronic music artist ZHU expands the project with BLACK MIDAS DLXZZZ, out today, July 10, via Broke/BLACKLIZT Sound Syndicate. The deluxe edition builds on the original release from earlier this spring, adding two previously released singles, “3 AM IN ??????” and “SMOKE UP IN THE AIR,” alongside two brand-new tracks, “SUNDOWN” and “THE CALLING.” The latter serves as the project’s focus track and arrives with a new music video featuring ZHU filmed in the snowy landscapes of Alaska.
Known offstage as Steven Zhu, the GRAMMY-nominated producer, DJ, songwriter, and performer continues to push the boundaries of electronic music through immersive concepts that extend far beyond the dancefloor. From atmospheric live experiences to innovative visual storytelling, ZHU has consistently blurred the lines between club culture and artistic expression. With BLACK MIDAS, he embraced a return to his underground roots, delivering a collection of dancefloor-driven records that now receive an expanded treatment with BLACK MIDAS DLXZZZ.
The original album was born from a transformative period in ZHU’s life. Following the devastating Southern California Palisades Wildfire, which destroyed his land and left his home and studio uninhabitable due to smoke damage, the producer spent much of 2025 rebuilding both his personal life and creative process. Traveling across the United States in a Mercedes Sprinter Van, he created music from the road, collaborating remotely with artists while drawing inspiration from the places, emotions, and late-night experiences he encountered. That journey also inspired the accompanying BLACKLIZT warehouse event concept, marking a return to the raw club energy that first defined his career.
Musically, BLACK MIDAS explores a range of electronic styles, from deep house to melodic techno. The album features standout collaborations with Joyia on “BURN,” South African artists GCBestBelieve and HNTR on “LEVELZZZ,” which Billboard described as “sexy and darkly chugging,” along with contributions from Mahmut Orhan, ZONLY, and THEY. through “5STARRR,” ZHU’s reimagining of the duo’s track “5 Star.”
Beyond his work as a producer and DJ, ZHU has built a reputation as a dynamic live performer, seamlessly blending vocals, live instrumentation, hypnotic synth work, deep basslines, and cinematic production into immersive performances. Earlier this year, he made his return to Ultra Music Festival for the first time since 2017, unveiling an unforgettable BLACK MIDAS showcase featuring an in-the-round stage surrounded by mannequins and dramatic pyrotechnics. He also performed at SXSW and completed tour dates across Australia and Alaska.
The momentum continues throughout the summer with appearances across Europe, including performances at Audioriver Festival in Poland, London, Ibiza, and Tomorrowland in Belgium. Later this year, ZHU will bring his ON THE MOVE event series back to the United States, with stops confirmed in El Paso, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Austin, and additional cities still to be announced.