“ZHU, “Grace.” The fourth album by ZHU, Grace, maintains the Bay Area native’s signature electronic sound while embracing elements of pop and hip-hop. Grace  ZHU Astralwerks, March 15 7/10 Get the album on Amazon Music. The double album’s opening track, “Crossroads,” foreshadows the journey ahead. ZHU’s vocals begins soft,…

The best albums of 2021 include Bleachers, My Morning Jacket, Ryley Walker, ZHU, Diana Ross, Made Kuti and Femi Kuti, Allison Russell, Chris Pierce, Hand Habits, Bonnie “Prince” Billy and Matt Sweeney, Weezer, Amy Shark and Heartless Bastards. Welcome back to RIFF’s year-end album roundup! If you’re joining us…

ZHU, “DREAMLAND 2021.” The video for “Sky Is Crying” by ZHU, which features Malaysian singer-songwriter Yuna, depicts many depressing and familiar scenes from the pandemic, giving a hint at his stress levels during quarantine. A man watches a screen with news headlines flashing before him: “Pandemic effect takes hold.”…