Cocaine Model
| "Cocaine Model" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Zhu | |
| from the EP The Nightday | |
| Released | April 20, 2014 |
| Genre | |
| Label | Mind of a Genius |
"Cocaine Model" is a track by American electronic music producer Zhu from his debut EP The Nightday (2014). Along with "Faded", it was one of his breakout tracks.[3]
Description
[edit]The song tells about a globetrotting girl who's wearing French designer label Isabel Marant.[4] She is described as "from Morocco by the way of South Chicago / graduated in the Bay / had her birthday in LA."[5] It features Zhu's "soulful vocals and combining them with techy synths," then transcending into a "groovy bass-line, replete with deep beats."[6]
Reception
[edit]The track received positive reviews both at the time of its release and retrospectively. The Independent wrote: "Soft vocals describe a mysterious girl whose globetrotting sounds as exotic as the beats."[7] Conor Clarke of Earmilk described it as "a lighter, more laid-back summer song" than other tracks in the EP.[8] Billboard described it as "contemplative."[9] The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Liz Bowen found its melody "smooth, flowing" and praised Zhu's vocals as "unbelievable" with "his pitch high enough to rival that of Whitney Houston."[10] Pitchfork’s Rebecca Haithcoat said it the track is "as bright and glittery as the sky in Joshua Tree."[11] Aurora Mitchell of The Line of Best Fit called it a "sultry and playful track [that] revels in seductive sampling, shuffling beats backed by a hefty bassline and soulful vocals."[5] George O'Brien, also writing for The Line of Best Fit, described it as "a floating, loungey highlight; a summer soundtrack with typical allure and a sparkling chorus", where "the vocal pines above brilliantly tidy production."[12] Dancing Astronaut's Fred Hwang called it "the hidden gem" of the EP, praising its production and musicianship.[13] Another Dancing Astronaut reviewer, Rachel Narozniak, praied the "sensual filminess" of Zhu's "silky vocals."[14]
In 2017, Billboard ranked it No. 9 among Zhu's best 10 songs. Zhu "layers vibes on vibes here", singing "atop plush pads and dreamy melodies", wrote David Rishty.[15] Steven Mason, writing for Relentless Beats, aruged that what makes it "a great song is the perfect harmony of bouncy house basslines and gloomy synths."[16] Glasse Factory's Kelly Cheng called it a "moody house anthem."[1]
Music video
[edit]A music video was released on May 11, 2015. As of December 2025, it has over 78 million views.[17] Directed by Zhu, Ryan Middleton of MusicTimes.com described it as "an avant-garde interpretation of the song."[2] Shot on site at the New York Fashion Week, it follows models, including Shaun Ross.[2] Run The Trap wrote that it has "a real trippy feel."[18]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Cheng, Kelly (August 6, 2025). "ZHU Surprises Night We Met With New Set". Glasse Factory.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - 1 2 3 Middleton, Ryan (May 12, 2015). "ZHU 'Cocaine Model' Music Video: 'Faded' DJ Teases New Music". musictimes.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ Chow, Aaron (August 20, 2024). "Tuning In: ZHU". Lifestyle Asia. Archived from the original on 18 September 2024.
- ↑ Cavanagh, Alice (March 2, 2019). "Isabel Marant's Surprisingly Calm, and Very Parisian, Fashion Week". The New York Times.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - 1 2 Mitchell, Aurora (23 April 2014). "Listen: ZHU - "Cocaine Model"". The Line of Best Fit.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ Özcelik, Samet (January 24, 2015). "Cocaine Model – ZHU". HBT Magazine.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ "THE PLAYLIST: WHAT'S ON RADAR'S STEREO". The Independent. 26 April 2014. p. 14. ProQuest 1518976110.
- ↑ Clarke, Conor (April 20, 2014). "ZHU unveils brand new tracks with 'The Nightday' EP". earmilk.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ Medved, Matt (November 5, 2014). "ZHU Delivers Audiovisual Odyssey in North American Debut". Billboard.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ Bowen, Liz (October 11, 2015). "ZHU crushes second U.S. show at CRSSD Fest". The San Diego Union-Tribune.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ Haithcoat, Rebecca (August 9, 2016). "Generationwhy ZHU". Pitchfork.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ O'Brien, George (23 April 2014). "EP Stream: ZHU - THE NIGHTDAY". The Line of Best Fit.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ Hwang, Fred (April 20, 2014). "ZHU dazzles on debut extended play, 'The NightDay' [EP Review]". Dancing Astronaut.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ Narozniak, Rachel (May 31, 2019). "Set the mood for ZHU's consecutive performances at Governors Ball, Schimanski with these five discerning cuts". Dancing Astronaut.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ Rishty, David (June 8, 2017). "ZHU's 10 Best Songs: Critic's Picks". Billboard.
- ↑ Mason, Steven (August 18, 2018). "Spin it Back Saturday: Zhu – 'Cocaine Model'". Relentless Beats.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ "ZHU - Cocaine Model [OFFICIAL VIDEO HD]". ZHU on YouTube. May 11, 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
- ↑ "Zhu Teases Unreleased Track w/ "Cocaine Model" Video, Announces Debut on BBCR1". Run The Trap. May 13, 2015.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)