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Zola Jesus

Zola Jesus

Nika Roza Danilova (born Nicole Rose Hummel; April 11, 1989), known professionally by her stage name Zola Jesus, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Her music has been noted for combining elements of electronic, industrial, classical, and goth. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, she spent her formative years in northern Wisconsin, where she began writing and recording music independently while attending college. During her second year of studies, she released two singles through the independent label Sacred Bones, followed by two EPs. Her debut album, The Spoils, was released in 2009.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, she released her second full-length record, Stridulum II (2010), followed by Conatus (2011). Her fourth album, Taiga (2014), released by Mute Records, marked a departure from her previous releases, and featured a more prominent pop-influenced sound. Her fifth studio album, Okovi, was released in 2017.

Albums

2009 New Amsterdam
2009 The Spoils
2010 Stridulum II
2011 Conatus
2013 Versions
2014 Taiga
2017 Okovi
2022 Arkhon
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Latest Articles

Reviews / Album
Album Review: Zola Jesus - 'Arkhon'
"It is a wild ride."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Alice Glass, Zola Jesus
"Alice Glass raises the bar, opening with 'Forgiveness' from her self-titled EP; a song title that offers a particularly ironic message given its repetitive, unrelenting aggression."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Alice Glass, Zola Jesus, Lucianblomkamp
"There's a sense that, just like the repeated 'I wanna start again' lyrics in Stillborn, Alice Glass has been reborn via this solo outing and her courage and tenacity are truly inspirational."
News / Music
Alice Glass & Zola Jesus Announce Co-headline Australian Tour Dates
Praise.
News / Music
Zola Jesus, Miss Blanks & More Lead GOMA's New 'Up Late' Series
Art, music, DJ's and more.
Reviews / Album
Album Review: Zola Jesus - Okovi
"... Far from getting mawkishly nostalgic, [Danilova's] sixth long-player as Zola Jesus sombrely contemplates life and loss."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Zola Jesus & Penny Quartet
"This is the most special incarnation of my music that I feel will exist."
Features / Music
Zola Jesus On Failing The 'Test Of Being You'
"People will create this version of you that they think you are, and then demand that you live up to that."
Reviews / Album
Album Review: Zola Jesus - Taiga
Who would’ve thought one of the year’s finest pop records would come from these mighty lungs?
Reviews / Album
Album Review: Zola Jesus - Versions
Of the nine songs here, only one is a new track and five are from her most recent LP, so there is a tendency to compare these to the originals or perhaps feel slighted by a cover album of one’s own songs – but this wouldn’t be fair.
News / Music
Zola Jesus Teams Up With Aussie To Release Reworked Tracks
'Versions' is out in August
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Zola Jesus Alhambra Lounge
The nature of this music is that it’s as awe-inspiring as it is confronting, an evocative mélange of art and artifice that is nevertheless wholly immersive.