After teasing reunion concerts and comeback singles, ZED has announced their new album, Future Memory, set for release on Friday, August 23rd.
The iconic Christchurch pop-rock band, known for their top-five albums Silencer (2000) and This Little Empire (2003), have been working on this eleven-track collection since reuniting for a performance of their hit “Renegade Fighter” at Eden Park in 2017.
Blending old and new, the album combines bedroom jams, studio exploration, and live show testing. Singles like “Kings & Queens,” “Future You,” and “Meant to Be” have already given fans a preview.
Nathan King says working on the album has strengthened their bond as a band.
‘”I’m proud we were able to step outside our comfort zones on this record and go to places musically I wasn’t expecting,” he says.
“There were loads of songs to choose from, which meant some hard decisions made to land on the final 11 tracks of Future Memory but I was stoked with the way everyone in the band put their individual preferences to one side and focussed on creating an album that works so well as a whole.”
The band embraced new technology while staying true to their roots.
“We wanted to push the sound of the band forward, while still maintaining the essential qualities that have helped shape who we are as a group. Energy, freshness and keeping things a little unexpected were all ideas we followed”, King explains.
Producer Nic Manders, who worked on their debut album Silencer, is back for Future Memory.
“He was with us on our debut album Silencer back in 2000, so it felt full-circle to have him on the album journey once again,” says King. “He understands the delicate art of balancing dynamics within a band; weighing opinions and preferences, challenging and pushing creativity, and maintaining momentum.”
ZED will celebrate the release of Future Memory with an album launch party at The Grand Hotel, Akaroa, on Friday, August 23rd (tickets available here).
ZED’s Future Memory is out Friday, August 23rd (pre-save here).
