Acclaimed duo Zeds Dead curates a bespoke playlist reflecting their dynamic style, current muses, and the unique sonic waves they are currently exploring. As they venture into the realms of house, techno, and downtempo with their new Altered States label, this playlist offers a glimpse into the transformative journey of their sound.
Hey, we’re Zeds Dead. We just started a new label called Altered States. It’s a way for us to put out tunes that don’t quite fit in our other label, Deadbeats. While Deadbeats is very much about bass heavy tunes, Altered States is meant to have more of a focus on downtempo, house, techno, trip hop, and lots of other music that doesn’t have big “drops”. This playlist features some of our favorite songs to play in altered states sets. Hope you enjoy!
Zeds Dead, HNTR, AIDN – Aftertaste [Altered States]
We’ve been working on this song with HNTR and AIDN for a while and playing out different versions of it. After trying out so many different ways of it going, we came back to this original idea we had, and it’s been awesome seeing crowds go off to it. Especially by the second drop, the energy in the room is amazing.
Zeds Dead – Exit Row [Deadbeats]
We like any excuse to play songs of ours like this, and Altered States sets are a great way to do that. Songs of ours that are more chilled out and atmospheric like this don’t always seem right in our main sets, but they feel right at home at Altered States.
Martyn – Empty Mind [Ninja Tune]
I love the industrial, dark feel of this record. It feels like some sort of futuristic rave when we play this one.
Radiohead – Idioteque [XL Recordings]
With these sets, we like to pay homage to some of the older electronica that got us into this stuff years ago. Radiohead Kid A was one of the albums that really changed the way I looked at electronic music, so it’s nice to get a chance to represent some of that.
Samim – Heater (Tube & Berger Remix) [Get Physical Music]
Some songs you think are good but aren’t totally sure what the reaction will be, and then when you play them out, it makes you like the song even more. This is one of those for me. It’s got a great vibe that’s not too crazy but just feels good, and when it’s playing in the club, everything feels right.
Gorgon City – Rumblah [REALM Records]
Gorgon City have always been favorites of ours. This song really gets the energy going in these sets and if you notice a trend with the selection, it’s not over the top at all but has that bass-face feel to it.
Kx5 – Eat Sleep [mau5trap]
Love how beautiful this song’s melodies and vocals are and how it transforms into its groove. The breakdown in this one is epic.
Zeds Dead, NGHTMRE – Frontlines (Taiki Nulight Remix) [Deadbeats]
This remix has stayed feeling fresh to me for so long. It came out a while ago but feels very current to me in these sets. It was one that would come out a lot at after parties we’d play before, but I love playing it at AS.
Boy Harsher – Give Me A Reason [Nude Club]
This is just a really cool song that kind of sits on the line of electronica and indie rock. It’s dark and has a great vibe that really lends itself to these sets. Everybody always asks what this song was after.
