Release Date: 3/3/23
Known for their blend of hardcore and powerviolence, Zulu is pushing the boundaries of those sounds into new territory on their forthcoming album, A New Tomorrow. Formed as a solo project by vocalist Anaiah Lei in 2018 and then joined by guitarist Braxton Marcellous, the Los Angeles based band has since been rounded out by guitarist Dez Yusuf, bassist Satchel Brown and drummer Christine Cadette. A New Tomorrow (Flatspot Records) serves as the band’s first full-length, following EPs Our Day Will Come (2019) and My People..Hold On (2020). Taking on the task of self-producing the record, the band immersed themselves in collaborator Zach Tuch’s (Dare, Trash Talk) studio in the valley. After spending months toying with different instrumentation and samples, and pulling influences ranging from reggae to death metal, the result is an eclectic 15 tracks.
The lyrics on the record are personal yet vast, filled with thoughts of perseverance and recognition. As Lei expands:
“While our past material was a more direct approach and very in your face about the treatment of black individual’s around the world, I wanted to step away and express the love and beauty of us. That through all the hard things we go through, that’s not just what we are and it doesn’t define us. Our culture is so rich and vast, and I couldn’t even begin to explain all of that. But some of the topics that make this record include unity and love in the community and hope for ourselves.”
A New Tomorrow starts with the instrumental track, “Africa,” driven by a piano and violin performance supplied by Aisha Burns and Precious Tucker before heading into full force. Exploring through, cuts like “Our Day Is Now” and “Fakin’ Tha Funk” showcase the band’s penchant for writing heavy riffs and in-your-face breakdowns. “Shine Eternally” and “We’re More Than This” seep into more soulful and jazz inspired sounds, the latter featuring a captivating rap delivery from Yusuf. To make the album an even more collaborative effort, the band enlisted friends and fellow artists for feature contributions. On “Where I’m From” you’ll find Lei’s vocals complimented by Soul Glo’s Pierce Jordan and Playytime’s Obioma Ugonna; and Truth Cult’s Paris Roberts adds a powerful notion to “52 Fatal Strikes.” The album closes out with “Who Jah Bless No One Curse”, a song about the importance of love that sees the band mastering their fusion-forward sound.
Pressing:
Glow In The Dark (out of 100 - Flatspot Exclusive)
Brown (out of 200 - Flatspot Exclusive)
Marble - Ultra Clear + Black (out of 300 - Flatspot + Evil Greed Exclusive)
Transparent Yellow (out of 400 - Project M / Band Exclusive)
Purple (out of 1000 - RevHQ + Deathwish + Evil Greed Exclusive)
supported by 234 fans who also own “From Tha Gods To Earth”
I've never heard hip-hop and punk fused together so perfectly. Soul Glo are one tight-as-hell unit and helped to reignite my interest in hip-hop. I look forward to giving you guys more money in the future. rainelionheart
supported by 219 fans who also own “From Tha Gods To Earth”
Wonderful dramatic opening, the voice of a black woman in all her honesty, vulnerability and openess. And then one of the fiercest tracks of Zulu, total hardcore: 'Now they are through with me', full of twists and turns, and suddenly ending in a kind of soul-track, brilliant! This is 21st century music at it's best. The end lecture is dramatic and disturbing, spoken again by a black woman. Makes you think. Hesperus
New York hardcore meets classic thrash metal meets Jane's Addiction-esque alternative on the Brooklyn crushers' sensational debut. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 13, 2023
Featuring members of BIB, Truth Cult, and Angel Du$t, this newly formed punk outfit offer raw, melodic hardcore catharsis in spades. Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 6, 2024
supported by 205 fans who also own “From Tha Gods To Earth”
They captured the feeling of grief and loss you feel after losing a loved one but its also about a horror movie person. One of my favorite songs of all times. Face chills even now when I listen. Andy Fitzgerald