Melbourne’s Zanda Elwood has never been interested in superficial acclaim. He’s an artist looking to transform personal anguish into artistic merit, building something new and triumphant from the ashes of his past. A distinctive voice in the Australian hip-hop and alt-R&B scenes, Zanda’s music is less a performance and more a confessional reckoning, an honest outlet where he can carve out a new path.
When Zanda first dropped his sprawling 22-track debut album, ‘Amongst Da Khaos’, in October 2024, it served as an unfiltered manifesto for the voiceless, resonating instantly with listeners seeking authenticity. A year later, this journey has reached its ultimate conclusion with the deluxe edition of the record making new waves.
More than just a simple re-release, the deluxe edition sees Zanda adding to bonus tracks in ‘GOPRO’ and ‘INTERLUDE’. While the former is a more intense cut, ‘INTERLUDE’ anchors the album perfectly. Stripped back and vulnerable, ‘Interlude’ sets Zanda’s high reflective delivery against a raw, haunting piano ballad, reportedly written spontaneously live in the studio. The song serves as a powerful time capsule, capturing the artist’s reflection on the person he was when ‘Amongst Da Khaos’ first dropped versus the man he is now, having survived the struggle.
Zanda’s stylistic approach is both surgical and soul-soaked, expertly fusing the bar-heavy intensity of hip-hop with the deep feeling of alt-R&B, spoken word, and gospel grit. His storytelling cuts deep, unflinchingly exploring themes of mental health, masculinity, addiction, loyalty, and loss. He doesn't just narrate hardship; he unpacks the profound impact it has had on his own journey. This unflinching honesty, combined with a unique sound, has propelled him to clock over 300,000 streams independently—a testament to the audience hunger for meaningful music.
More than just an artist, Zanda Elwood is building a movement that extends beyond the studio booth and into streetwear culture under his TRUST KHAOS banner. His music resonates on an emotional level, providing connection and comfort to those who have faced adversity. By alchemising his pain into purpose, Zanda proves that the chaos he once documented can be turned into a powerful source of light, cementing his status as one of the freshest and most vital voices in the Australian music landscape.
You can stream the deluxe edition of ‘Amongst Da Khaos’ today, and for more, connect with Zanda Elwood today on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
