Artist Name: ZED

Release Name - Future Memory

Release Date - 23 August, 2024

Genre - Rock, Pop Rock

After a long wait, Aotearoa’s legendary music icons, ZED’s brand new album, Future Memory, is officially out today!

Since their debut single in 1997, ZED has been an integral part of the musical landscape. The band’s return in 2017, marked by a memorable performance of ‘Renegade Fighter’ at Eden Park before 50,000 fervent All Blacks fans, reignited their passion for music. This resurgence set the stage for their latest project, Future Memory—an 11-track album showcasing their evolution as musicians and their enduring commitment to their craft.

‘To get back in the studio with my musical brothers after all this time has been incredibly special," said lead singer Nathan King. “The process of crafting and refining songs that we’ve all shared in creating has brought us closer together than ever before.”
 Future Memory represents a blend of jam sessions, studio experimentation, and live performance refinement, reflecting a diverse range of influences and styles. King offers insight into how some of the key tracks came to life.

NEVER BE LONELY

‘Never Be Lonely’ is a special track for us,” says King. “Andy had written the riff which sounded like a classic immediately - so we all sat around a BBQ late into the night, jamming lyrics and melodies - until the song naturally culminated with the four of us harmonising around the final section. Nic captured that ‘campfire vibe’ perfectly and that recording will always take me back to that perfect evening.”
 
BONFIRES + EMBERS
 
King continues. “‘Bonfires’ ventures into deeper waters for us as a band. It shifts the mood of the record in the final stages, and combined with ‘Embers’ we felt these songs were an opportunity to experiment with breaking the mould. The song actually happened by chance! We had almost finished the writing of Bonfires when Ben (bass) started twisting the chorus chords, and we realised Embers was going to be an off-shoot of the main song - genetically linked, but a standalone piece. It was magical hearing the two come together in the studio, and it’s one of my favourite moments on the record.

Producer Nic Manders, who first collaborated with ZED on their debut album Silencer in 2000, plays a pivotal role in this new release. King praises Manders for his ability to balance dynamics and enhance creativity, making him the ideal choice for this project.

Future Memory comes with a range of distinctive styles - the songs and treatments took on lives of their own - and as a result of this there is something for everyone, with each member having personal favorites. ZED are thrilled to have another body of work to share, play and infuse into their live shows - calling the process “refreshing, and a privilege to play music with longtime friends again”.

To celebrate the release, ZED will host an album launch party at The Grand Hotel in Akaroa tonight.

Future Memory was made with support from the legends at NZ On Air.

Stream Future Memory now via your favourite streaming service.

TRACK LIST
 
1 - Future You
2 - Play
3 - Meant to Be
4 - Never Be Lonely
5 - Waiting Game
6 - Face the Rain
7 - Kings and Queen
8 - Running
9 - Into The Ocean
10 - Bonfires
11 - Embers