Zhu’s ‘Automatic’ is an interesting beast.
Lifted from a collection of vocal collaborations entitled the ‘Genesis Series’, the elusive US producer has gifted us a sparsely decorated, moody, number here and the first one minute and 25 seconds, with its ticking clock sounds, sinister-sounding strings and decidedly creepy clip all combine quite wonderfully to create a feeling. A feeling of uneasiness, yes, but a feeling nonetheless.
It’s then the beat drops. But despite the beats and Aluna’s vocals for company, there’s still plenty to feel uneasy about with the clip, which sees a young woman being followed through the city streets in the middle of the night.
What happens next, set against some echoed sax, however, takes us a little by surprise.