Zedd’s Return to Music: Crafting Art Over Hits with latest album Telos

Zedd, born Anton Zaslavski in Russia and raised in Germany, is a classically trained musician who transitioned from playing piano and drums to becoming one of the most prominent figures in electronic dance music. Known for his genre-blending productions, Zedd first gained international recognition with hits like "Clarity" and "Stay," which showcased his ability to merge pop, electronic, and classical influences. Over the years, he has collaborated with major artists such as Ariana Grande and Maren Morris, earning multiple GRAMMY nominations and critical acclaim for his innovative sound. His career has been marked by sold-out tours and performances at some of the world's biggest festivals, making him a key figure in modern music.

After a ten-year break from music, GRAMMY Award-winning, multi-platinum artist Zedd has made a comeback with his album Telos. He recently shared with us the journey of making this album, reflecting on how it shaped him as both an artist and a person.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us were confined to our homes, and artists often used this time to create. Zedd wanted to do the same but found himself uninspired. He explained that he didn’t want to write just for the sake of writing or create music that followed a predictable formula for chart success. While he made numerous songs during the pandemic, he ultimately scrapped all but one when assembling Telos. His goal was to create something artistic—music meant for those who enjoy sitting down and truly listening, rather than just having it play in the background.

In the process of creating this album, Zedd learned a lot about himself. He admitted that he had long felt insecure about making music where he was the lead vocalist. English is his third language, and he was more comfortable leaving the singing to others. However, he realized it was okay to take the time to create something he was passionate about. The result was a project he is truly proud of, which was always the main goal. Having doubted himself for so long, completing this album was deeply meaningful for him.

Zedd also spoke about the tour he's currently on, describing some of the challenges he’s faced while performing. He shared that, after doing this for so long, it's easy to compare himself to where he started. In that sense, his biggest competition is himself. Nevertheless, he’s excited about the tour, describing his music as fun to perform and loving the energy of the crowds at each show. As he takes Telos on tour, Zedd isn't just sharing his music; he's sharing a piece of himself, hoping to inspire others to take risks, follow their passions, and never stop growing.

Telos – Tracklist

1. Out of Time (feat. Bea Miller)

2. Tangerine Ray (feat. Bea Miller)

3. Shanti

4. No Gravity (feat. Bava)

5. Sona (feat. the olllam)

6. Lucky (feat. Remi Wolf)

7. Dream Brother (Zedd’s reinterpretation of Jeff Buckley’s original)

8. Descensus (feat. Dora Jar)

9. Automatic Yes (feat. John Mayer)

10. 1685 (feat. Muse)