GRAMMY Award-winning and multi-platinum artist Zedd has made a triumphant return with his highly anticipated third studio album, Telos. Released nearly a decade after his last album, this 10-track masterpiece showcases Zedd’s evolution as an artist, blending his classical roots with the innovative dance-pop sound that has defined his career.
Telos: A Musical Journey of Innovation and Collaboration
Telos stands as a testament to Zedd’s commitment to creating timeless music. The album features a diverse lineup of collaborators, including rock legends John Mayer and Muse, alt-pop sensations Remi Wolf, Dora Jar, and Bea Miller, the modern Irish folk group the olllam, and the iconic voice of the late Jeff Buckley. Each track offers a unique blend of genres, from world music influences to jazzy breakdowns and orchestral strings, providing listeners with a rich and immersive experience.
“Telos has multiple meanings, one of them being ‘accomplishment’ or ‘completion of human art,’” Zedd explains. “I’ve always dreamed of creating an album that, 30 years on, I can look back and be incredibly proud of. That will be just as amazing then as it is right now, because it’s not based on trends or sound design that might fall off — it’s based on music, just like the albums that shaped me growing up that I still adore to this day. With Telos, I created something I didn’t think I was capable of — it just took a bit of time to get there.”
Key Tracks and Collaborations
Among the standout tracks is the album’s opener, “Out of Time,” featuring Bea Miller, which sets the tone with its brooding yet soaring melodies. The Bach-inspired finale, “1685,” sees the entirety of Muse joining Zedd for a six-minute epic that brings the album to a powerful close. Other highlights include “Dream Brother,” a reinterpretation of Jeff Buckley’s work that marks the first time Buckley’s estate has granted rights for such a project, and “Sona,” a track that seamlessly blends Irish folk elements with electronic beats.
The Telos Tour: A Celebration of Zedd’s Musical Evolution
In conjunction with the release of Telos, Zedd is embarking on a massive North American tour, kicking off with his popular Zedd in the Park festival in Los Angeles on September 6 and 7. This year marks the festival’s first two-day edition, following sold-out events in 2018, 2019, and 2022. With high demand, the tour has added extra dates in several cities, including four consecutive nights at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.
The Telos Tour promises to be an unforgettable experience for fans, with Zedd delivering a setlist that spans his career, including hits like “The Middle” and “Stay,” as well as fresh tracks from his latest album. The tour will conclude at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, on October 15.