Generationwhy
| Generationwhy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 29, 2016 | |||
| Recorded | 2015–16 | |||
| Genre | Electronic | |||
| Length | 59:00 | |||
| Label |
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| Producer | ||||
| Zhu chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Generationwhy | ||||
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Generationwhy is the debut studio album by American electronic music producer Zhu, released on July 29, 2016 by Columbia Records.[1] The album features works and vocals from the likes of Maya Angelou, Jaymes Young, Nylo, Mitch Bell, Nikola Bedingfield, Adam Schmalholz, and Broods. The album followed after the success of ZHU's collaborative debut EP Genesis Series, released in 2015.
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [2] |
| The Guardian | [3] |
| Pitchfork | 4.8/10[4] |
Upon release, Generationwhy received mixed reviews. The Guardian found Generationwhy an "at times, beguiling blend of mid-tempo electronic pop." Noting that ZHU successfully assimilated a lot of current Balearic dance music "influences into something distinctly his own", the review also argued that not all the songs transcended "the tropes of the genre that inspired them."[3] Drowned in Sound was somewhat less impressed: "The album is essentially a series of enjoyable yet unremarkable house-pop songs." That being said the reviewer found some redeeming qualities, "Unlike many of these artists, Zhu includes what might be a surprising amount of 'live' instrumentation which generally add to the noir feeling."[5]
Commercial performance
[edit]The album debuted at number 109 on the Billboard 200, selling 3,000 copies in its first week. It also debuted at number one on the Dance/Electronic Albums chart in the United States.[6]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro (Neon City)" | Zhu | 1:09 | |
| 2. | "Cold Blooded" | Zhu | 4:18 | |
| 3. | "In the Morning" | Zhu | 4:06 | |
| 4. | "Secret Weapon" |
| Zhu | 4:03 |
| 5. | "Electrify Me" | Zhu | Zhu | 4:15 |
| 6. | "Numb" |
| Zhu | 4:27 |
| 7. | "Palm of My Hand" |
| Zhu | 6:13 |
| 8. | "Money" |
| Zhu | 5:07 |
| 9. | "One Minute to Midnight" | Zhu | Zhu | 4:15 |
| 10. | "Reaching" | Zhu | 4:31 | |
| 11. | "Hometown Girl" |
|
| 4:12 |
| 12. | "Good Life" | Zhu | 4:31 | |
| 13. | "Generationwhy" | Zhu | Zhu | 3:52 |
| 14. | "Working for It" (with Skrillex and THEY.) (bonus track) |
| 3:51 | |
| Total length: | 59:00 | |||
Notes
[edit]- "Intro (Neon City)" features uncredited spoken word from poetic writer Maya Angelou.
- "Cold Blooded" features uncredited vocals from Jaymes Young.
- "In the Morning" features sampled lyrics from "Touch Me" by Rui da Silva.
- "Secret Weapon" features uncredited vocals from Nylo.
- "Palm of My Hand" features uncredited spoken word from Valentine Baran.
- "Reaching" features uncredited vocals from Nikola Bedingfield.
- "Hometown Girl" features uncredited vocals from Jaymes Young.
- "Good Life" features uncredited spoken word from Adam Schmalholz and uncredited vocals from Broods.
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[7] | 35 |
| New Zealand Heatseeker Albums (RMNZ)[8] | 1 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[9] | 39 |
| US Billboard 200[10] | 109 |
| US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[11] | 5 |
| US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[12] | 1 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Generationwhy by ZHU". iTunes Store (US).
- ^ "Generationwhy – Zhu". AllMusic.
- ^ a b MacInnes, Paul (July 28, 2016). "Zhu: Generationwhy review – occasionally impressive tropical house". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
- ^ "Zhu: Generationwhy Album Review". Pitchfork.
- ^ "Album Review: Zhu - Generationwhy". Archived from the original on July 31, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
- ^ "ZHU Zips to No. 1 on Top Dance/Electronic Albums". Billboard.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Zhu – Generationwhy". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
- ^ "NZ Heatseeker Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 8, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Zhu – Generationwhy". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
- ^ "ZHU Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
- ^ "ZHU Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
- ^ "ZHU Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
