The Nightday
{{Infobox album
| name = The Nightday
| type = ep
| artist = Zhu
| cover = The_Nightday_EP_Zhu.jpg
| alt =
| released = April 20, 2014
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = House, electronic, dance
| length =
| label = {{hlist|Mind of a Genius|Columbia}}
| producer =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Genesis Series EP
| next_year = 2015
| misc = {{Singles
| name = The Nightday
| type = ep
| single1 = Faded
| single1date = April 20, 2014
}}
}}
The Nightday is the debut EP by Chinese-American electronic musician Zhu and was released in Australia on April 20, 2014 through Mind of a Genius.{{cite web|url=http://hypetrak.com/2014/04/zhu-nightday-full/|title=ZHU – NIGHTDAY (Full EP Stream) {{pipe}} HYPETRAK|publisher=hypetrak.com|accessdate=July 29, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.beatport.com/release/the-nightday/1286598|title=The Nightday [Mind of A Genius] :: Beatport|publisher=beatport.com|accessdate=July 29, 2014}}
Background
Zhu's first track, "Moves Like Ms Jackson",{{cite web|url=http://hypetrak.com/2014/02/z-moves-like-ms-jackson-outkast-cover/|title=ZHU – Moves Like Ms. Jackson (OutKast Remix) {{pipe}} HYPETRAK|publisher=hypetrak.com|accessdate=July 29, 2014}} a mashup of several songs by Outkast, was released in February 2014 and was positively received by blogs and reviewers covering electronic music.{{cite web|url=http://doandroidsdance.com/audio/moves-like-ms-jackson/|title=MOVES LIKE MS. JACKSON {{pipe}} Do Androids Dance|publisher=doandroidsdance.com|accessdate=July 29, 2014}} This led to the release of The Nightday, his first EP, in April 2014.
Critical reception
Sly Steve from Blank Gold Coast said; "This is the perfect late night record with both down tempo and head nodding tones. 'Nightday' is a real stand out in the modern electronic revival".{{cite web|url=http://blankgc.com.au/review-zhu-nightday-ep/|title=REVIEW: ZHU – NIGHTDAY EP|publisher=blankgc.com.au|accessdate=August 12, 2014}}
Robbie Russell from VRS Mag said; "The EP in general is a genre defying romp through just about everything that's been popular on the internet in the past 10 years. Melding house, hip-hop and trap; Zhu is able to create a body of work that not only doesn't have a face, but doesn't have a category to be dumped into either." and concluded with "[it's]... odd but it works".
The Beat Report said; "Across six tracks filled with cascading liquid synths, propulsive beats and slinky vocals hooks, 'THE NIGHTDAY' showcases the unbridled creativity and enticing allure at the core of ZHUs craft. Drawing from a range of dance music genres from house to disco to garage to hip-hop and synth-pop, coupled with his distinctly captivating voice, ZHU spins these elements into a potent concoction entirely of his own".
Jake Cappuccino from In Your Speakers said; "For a debut EP, ZHU has produced an admirable work. There are not many, if any, flagrant faults to point to on this record. It might be too unusual and a little too different for mass appreciation, but this is one record where trying out different sounds worked out positively. The beats are steady, the samples are funky, the vocals are smooth counterparts to the dark, grungy bass, and many of the tracks are head nodding and get-up-and-dance good on ZHU's 'Nightday' EP".{{cite web|url=http://inyourspeakers.com/content/review/258-zhu-nightday-ep-05062014|title=ZHU: Nightday EP |publisher=inyourspeakers.com|accessdate=August 12, 2014}}
Singles
- "Faded" was released on April 20, 2014 as the first single and charted in top 5 in Australia and Great Britain.
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Digital download EP
| title1 = Stay Closer
| writer1 = Steven Zhu
| length1 = 4:32
| title2 = Faded
| writer2 = Steven Zhu
| length2 = 3:43
| title3 = Paradise Awaits
| writer3 = Steven Zhu
| length3 = 3:33
| title4 = Superfriends
| writer4 = Steven Zhu
| length4 = 4:21
| title5 = The One
| writer5 = Steven Zhu
| length5 = 5:02
| title6 = Cocaine Model
| writer6 = Steven Zhu
| length6 = 4:15
}}
Charts
The Nightday debuted in Australia at number 20 and peaked at number 6 in early June.{{Cite web|url =http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=ZHU&titel=The+Nightday+EP&cat=a|title = ZHU - THE NIGHTDAY EP (ALBUM) Charts|accessdate = August 12, 2014 |website = australian-charts.com|publisher = Australian Charts}}
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
Chart (2014)
! Peak |
---|
{{album chart|Australia|6|artist=ZHU|album=The Nightday EP|rowheader=true}} |
{{album chart|Flanders|136|artist=ZHU|album=The Nightday EP|rowheader=true}} |
{{album chart|Wallonia|167|artist=ZHU|album=The Nightday EP|rowheader=true}} |
Release history
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
scope="col"| Region
! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Label |
---|
scope="row"|Australia{{Cite web|url =https://music.apple.com/au/album/the-nightday-ep/857442232|title = Zhu on iTunes|date = |access-date = August 12, 2014 |website = |publisher = iTunes Australia}}
| April 20, 2014 | Digital download | Mind of a Genius |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Zhu}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nightday}}