Wax Motif And ZHU Drop Long-Teased Collab “Better Recognize”

Extolled producer Wax Motif and Grammy-nominated artist ZHU have unveiled their long-awaited collaboration, “Better Recognize.” A culmination of nearly two years of anticipation, the dynamic single, released on November 17th via the renowned Astralwerks label, showcases the fusion of Wax Motif’s innovative, grungy production style with ZHU’s other-worldly vocals.

Fans around the globe, fueled by teasers during sets and joint back-to-back sets over the past two years, can finally experience the full extent of Wax Motif and ZHU’s creative synergy. The snappy single is loaded with synth stabs, heavy basslines, and ZHU’s distinctive vocals, which were recorded in the Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.

Imagine if the Weeknd found himself in Bladerunner on an electrifying bender, a gnarly blend of caffeine and Adderall. It’s music that feels like the perfect soundtrack for crashing a Tron lightcycle—an exhilarating fusion of futuristic aesthetics and high-energy beats that transcends the conventional boundaries of electronic music in club settings.

“Better Recognize” is the fusion of Wax Motif’s ever-evolving production style with ZHU’s signature, borderline haunting sound. Reflecting on the collaboration, Wax Motif expressed, “It’s been a long time coming that ZHU and I were able to finally catch up in the studio and work together on music. After years of friendship, it was bound to happen but never forced. ‘Better Recognize’ is the product of two friends coming together and actually making a product we are proud of and something not forced. I hope that everyone enjoys it.”

Wax Motif, a central orchestrator in shaping the house sound across the U.S., has seamlessly blended hip-hop, electronic, disco, and R&B elements in his discography. Having collaborated with notable artists such as Euro Trash, Diddy, 220Kid, AC Slater, and Diplo, Wax Motif’s recent debut album, “House Of Wax,” has garnered over 33 million combined global streams. The success of his North American tour, aptly named after the album, included sold-out shows at iconic venues like the Hollywood Palladium and The Shrine in Los Angeles. The tour’s grand finale is scheduled at the Belly Up in Aspen on December 2, 2023.

ZHU, on the other hand, is experiencing a resurgence with his 2023 GRACE Tour, his first headline run in five years. The tour includes three sold-out shows on each coast, featuring several prominent venues such as the Hollywood Palladium in Southern California. Collaborating with deadmau5 for three Bay Area shows, ZHU’s tour cements his virality and the love from his dedicated fans. GRACE, the upcoming album and the follow-up to ZHU’s critically acclaimed Dreamland 2021, is slated for release in early 2024 via Astralwerks.

The collab can be streamed on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.