Almost ten years have passed since Zedd, the well-known Grammy-winning producer and DJ, released his second album, “True Colors.” During this time, the artist felt the need to challenge himself to create a record that would go beyond his earlier successes and showcase his growth as an artist. His latest project, “Telos,” symbolizes this new chapter in his music career, aiming to be a timeless piece that is meticulously crafted to tell a cohesive story.

Zedd shared that “Telos” was a challenging album for him to create, expressing doubts about his ability to make it for many years. However, with a strong focus on cohesion and detail, he pursued a collaborative approach by featuring artists like Muse, John Mayer, Remi Wolf, and Bea Miller on the album.

The idea for “Telos” arose from Zedd’s desire to make music that is personally meaningful and authentic to himself. Initially inspired by artist Jeff Buckley, Zedd found direction for the album after reworking a single track, “Dream Brother,” which became a cornerstone of the project.

One of the standout collaborations on “Telos” is with Muse on the closing track, “1685,” which references Bach’s “The Well Tempered Clavier.” Zedd described working with Matt Bellamy and Muse as a dream come true, highlighting their artistic alignment and mutual desire for perfection in their music.

The title of the album, “Telos,” derives from ancient Greek and holds various meanings, including accomplishment and reaching one’s goal. For Zedd, “Telos” symbolizes both the fulfillment he experienced in creating the album and the personal toll it took on him, leading to a sense of exhaustion and completion.

Reflecting on the current state of the Electronic Dance Music (EDM) genre, Zedd admitted that he has been less involved in following trends in EDM, focusing instead on creating music that is unique to his artistic vision. He emphasized the importance of authenticity and staying true to one’s creative path, rather than chasing fleeting trends in the music industry.

Zedd’s “Telos” represents a significant milestone in his musical journey, showcasing his evolution as an artist and his commitment to producing music that is deeply personal and authentic to his creative vision.