L.A.’s @Zhaomusic arrives with the ethereal “Lifetime”

ZHAO, “Lifetime”

Producer/singer/songwriter Zhao first came to my attention late last year as the vocalist on an enigmatic, enduring favourite of mine by producer Eric Sharp called “The Thirst” (below).  Now L.A.-based, born in Tennessee but raised in Atlanta, Zhao (first name Kenny) kicks off his EP Ride with “Lifetime”.  It’s a thoughtful dose of melodic electronica that will slip under your skin and transport you to somewhere peaceful and personal for a while.  It’s definitely the flipside of the more aggressive “The Thirst”, and may hold as many influences from the keyboard work of M83 and the sparseness of Rhye as it does from 80’s pop and R&B.  It’s complex music that sounds simple and most pleasing to the ears, and you can watch Zhao himself at work in the fine video for “Lifetime” up top.