Review - Zedd - Clarity

Zedd’s star couldn’t be rising any faster if he tried. The newest darling of the EDM world and one of the main producers on Lady Gaga’s new album, he is everywhere these days. So it’s wonderful that he has time to release his first album of original music, ‘Clarity’.

First single “Shave It” (retitled “Shave It Up” for the album) came out over a year ago, and it is the song that has really made Zedd who he is. Before that, he was just a boy posting dance songs online, getting bits of attention here and there. “Shave It” blew up, and the rest is history.

“Spectrum” is the album’s <a href="http://popbangboom.blogspot.com/2012/09/listen-up-zedd.html">second single</a>, and it went right to number one on the US dance charts. Matthew Koma (another fresh face in dance that is poised to run the world soon enough) features, and makes the song what it is. Koma isn’t the only recognizable name on the album; Ryan Tedder and Ellie Goulding take turns on “Lost At Sea” and “Fall Into The Sky” respectively, both of which will likely end up being released as dance singles (if his label is smart).

Zedd takes this newfound spotlight to also bring up some new names with him. Foxes, Bright Lights, and LIZ all have spots on the ten-track LP as well, each one doing very well. The album isn’t all guest features though – four of the ten songs are completely instrumental, including “Shave It Up”, “Codec”, and “Stache” (which may not be a single per se, but has its own <a href="http://popbangboom.blogspot.com/2012/09/listen-up-zedd.html">video and remix</a> with Lady Gaga).

‘Clarity’ isn’t completely clear though, as two messages are sent. One shows Zedd as a hard electro producer, the kind who is pushing the genre into new places (“Shave It Up” and “Stache”). Another portrays him as a Calvin Harris/David Guetta hit producer; one who isn’t doing anything terribly new, but one who is making dance for the masses. While this may sound disjointed, there is method in Zedd’s madness. ‘Clarity’ sells him both to the underground EDM snobs and to A&R people around the country. Zedd has made clear through his work with the likes of Justin Bieber and Gaga that he wants to play in the big leagues as well as do his own thing.

‘Clarity’ plays like Zedd’s resume, and he is looking for a job. I’d hire him.

Listen to: “Hourglass (ft. LIZ)”, “Shave It Up”, “Spectrum (ft. Matthew Koma)”, “Lost At Sea (ft. Ryan Tedder)”, “Stache” (and the Lady Gaga remix)

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