Zedd Reveals Why He Thought His NewTelosAlbum 'Would Be My Last Piece of Music' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Zedd’s new album is finally here.

Nine years after his last full-length project of original material, 2015’sTrue Colors, the 35-year-old German DJ/producer (whose real name is Anton Zaslavski) released his third album,Telos, on Aug. 30.

The 10-track body of work features guest appearances fromJohn Mayer,Muse,Remi Wolf,Bea Millerand others, and its title represents two meanings for the Grammy winner — one being the completion of a goal.

“Another meaning ofTelosis ‘the end,’ and I, for a minute, thought maybe this would be my last piece of music that I would ever release,” Zedd tells PEOPLE of the Greek term. “I was really overworked, I was burned out, and musically I felt like I had poured my entire soul into this album and have nothing left to say.”

Zedd.Nick Walker

Nick Walker

While the “Clarity” artist took nearly a decade between albums, he remained busy in the interim, touring consistently and notching several massive hits, including “Stay” withAlessia Caraand “The Middle” withMaren Morrisand Grey.

Zedd ‘Telos’ Album Cover.Interscope Records

Interscope Records

When it came to making a new album, Zedd was determined to craft a project with a narrative connecting each song and a unique sound combining orchestral and electronic genres. “I really wanted this album to be perfect, and it required just a ton more work,” he says.

Thankfully, he’s changed his mind since finishingTelos. “I had a little week to breathe,” he says. “I’ve already started writing new music, so I’m happy to say it’s not the end yet.”

After nearly releasing the full project with no leading track, Zedd realized his fans wanted an early taste and chose both songs meticulously to introduce the world ofTelos.

“‘Out of Time’ sets the mood. It’s the beginning of the album, and it really sort of has a little bit of everything. It has that theatrical bit, a drop, a really emotional and super strong vocal,” he explains. “I think ‘Lucky’ represents more so the fun, pop side of the album, and everything else on the album lives somewhere between those two worlds.”

Making the record was an excruciating process for Zedd, but his thoughts about nearly releasingTelosas a send-off to his career is part of what’s made the final project so rewarding for him to share with listeners.

“If you know that something is going to be the last thing you ever do, you better make it perfect,” he says. “Part of the perfection that I see in this album comes from the feeling of, ‘This may be like my legacy. I better do exactly what I want to do with this album.'”

source: people.com