Zaia is not another Atlanta trap-crooner. It's difficult to define what Zaia is; his debut album VERY ALONE exposing a musical versatility in blending rap, alternative-rock, synth-pop, and unique percussion mixed with emotionally-intelligent lyricism to create a diverse portrait Kid Cudi fans will appreciate. His most recent video for "VERY ALONE" dropped on May 26, a track that follows Zaia's voice effortlessly contemplating the isolation of adolescence between the ambient guitar riffs and synth-drones and infectious bassline. The track evokes memories of summer camp heartbreak while forcing you to dance, the duet between the steady-beat and funky bassline impossible to stand still for. The video uses intertwined, elongated shots to visually portray the diverging ideas of adolescence before creating a fluorescent sunset for Zaia's escape from the social prison of high school. The "INNERSTATE" video, another standout single from VERY ALONE, depicts an unarmed Zaia getting shot by police before embarking on a high-speed police chase. The fuzzy analog synths breathe an air of joy into the melody, the sober content of Zaia's verses contrasting the bouncy-instrumental while reflecting the traumatizing realities of being Black in America, dealing with these issues within the culture in which "the real one's don't cry anyways." Zaia presents these critical and substantial lyrical content through vibrant and inventive instrumentals that emphasize steadfast percussions, addictive baselines, and a willingness to explore the limits of his genre sonically. Zaia's unique musicality and thoughtful messaging separate himself from the pack and makes him quite indeed our Dangerous Artist of the Week.
Photo courtesy of Zaia Instagram