via 5gum / Brandon Wenerd
In the world of electronic music, few names carry as much weight as Zedd. And with the release of his long-awaited album Telos, he’s once again proving why he’s at the top of his game.
But this time, he’s not just dropping beats—he’s weaving together influences and collaborations that span the musical spectrum, including an unforgettable collaboration with John Mayer on a song called “Automatic Yes”.
During a recent conversation on the Mostly Occasionally podcast, I had the chance to dig into the story behind one of the standout tracks on Telos: Track 9, “Automatic Yes” with John Mayer. It’s a track that almost didn’t make it onto the album, but thanks to Mayer’s intervention, it became one of the most exciting collaborations of Zedd’s career.
Catch the full conversation on the Mostly Occasionally podcast, available now on Apple and Spotify, or in the player below. Listen to Telos out now on the music-streaming platform of your choice.
Collaborating with John Mayer: The Story Behind “Automatic Yes”
I couldn’t help but ask Zedd how he managed to thread the needle with “Automatic Yes,” a song that’s as beautiful as it is innovative.
“When I was making the album, I had to cut everything that didn’t fit the concept of Telos,” Zedd tells BroBible on the Mostly Occasionally show. “‘Automatic Yes’ was one I chopped off because I didn’t know what it needed. I was stuck with it. I started working on it in 2020, but it never got to the finish line.”
Zedd continues:
“John heard it and said, ‘I know exactly what this song needs.’ We met in the studio, and he came up with the phrase ‘Automatic Yes’ with a melody. We started at a core and rethought the whole song around that. Without giving too much away, he took it to a place I would never have reached on my own, and I think it’s somewhere John wouldn’t have gone alone either. It’s the best kind of collaboration, where two artists come togther that appreciation of each other and create something new together that they couldn’t reach individually. You can here both influences. It just becomes a new subgenre. It’s organic, funky, dancey, soulful at moments—it’s somewhere between John Mayer and Zedd, wherever that is.”
“Automatic Yes” is the kind of earworm that slips into your mind and refuses to leave, locking into a groove that feels like it was tailor-made for a cool, sophisticated dance floor. It’s Mayer’s scratching, funk-infused yacht rock guitar that grabs you first—smooth, with just the right amount of edge. Then there’s this undercurrent of longing that runs through it, giving the track a sexy, almost irresistible pull. Imagine the way you feel when you walk into a high-end hotel or a swanky restaurant—like you’ve just stepped into a world that’s a notch above the ordinary and your head darts around the room in wonder, pinching yourself how you got there.
That’s what “Automatic Yes” brings to the table. The song is a vibe, something you want to live in for a while.
It’s got that vaporwave touch, too, like you’re cruising down the PCH in Malibu, the sun setting behind you, wearing a white blazer that screams ’80s cool. It’s sleek, it’s stylish, and it knows exactly what it’s doing. This isn’t just music—it’s a mood, one that makes you want to keep the windows down and the volume up, letting that groove take you wherever it wants to go.
Seeing Dead & Company at the Sphere: A Source of Inspiration
But the collaboration wasn’t just about studio alchemy. The two artists support each other across their different ventures. For instance, Zedd caught John Mayer live with Dead & Company at the Sphere in Las Vegas—a show that clearly left a lasting impression on him.
“Did you get a chance to experience John Mayer’s creative direction with Dead & Company at the Sphere this summer?” I asked.
“Yes! It was mind-blowing,” Zedd replies. “I got to see the second or third to last shows, and I was so inspired. I left with so many ideas and so many inspirations. This is also when John had his finger injured and had to play with one less finger, and he was still better than 99.9% of guitar players out there. It was incredible.”
The energy of that performance, and the way Mayer overcame obstacles to deliver a stellar show, hit home for Zedd. That kind of passion and dedication is exactly what he brings to his own sets.
“I was at one of those shows too,” I mentioned. “It was amazing to see the crowd react to that level of talent, even down a finger.”
“Honestly, it was a very peaceful and positive experience,” Zedd continues. “Everyone was just there to have a good time, no ill-intentions and no judgments. The show was incredible.”
There’s something almost poetic about a band that’s the modern next generation incarnation on one of the most innovative American rock acts—The Grateful Dead—lighting up a state-of-the-art arena like the Las Vegas Sphere for a 30-night residency this past summer. Haptic sound, mind-bending visuals that dip into the Dead’s skull-and-roses iconography, and a vibe that’s pure, unfiltered Dead—this is where the past meets the future in a wild, beautifully high-tech space. It’s a whole new way to experience live music. And, if you’ve ever been to a Dead show, you can see how an artist like Zedd would be influenced by it.
And the fact that it’s influencing someone like Zedd, a powerhouse in the EDM world? That’s just cool.
Let’s not forget, there’s a little bit of the Dead in rave culture, too. The peaks and valleys in the music, the sense of community, the idea that music is an adventure and shared experience, not just a sound—it’s all there. Mayer’s ability to bridge those worlds and bring that energy into a place like the Sphere is proof that musical innovation never dies; it just keeps evolving.
It’s a reminder that the Dead’s revolution still sends ripples through music today, pushing artists like Zedd to break boundaries and blur genres. And in a world where electronic beats and rock history can share the same stage, there’s something pretty special about watching these worlds collide, grow, and keep the music alive.
It’s pretty rad that Zedd went to check it out.
Channeling That Energy into Telos
That same energy is what Zedd strives to bring to his own shows—a connection with the audience that goes beyond just playing music. It’s about creating an experience that leaves people buzzing long after the night is over.
“That energy carries over to your shows too, I think,” I told him.
“I appreciate that so much. I’ve never watched my show from the other side—I’m always focused on making sure everything’s right—but I love hearing that. Thank you.”
With Telos now out, it’s clear that Zedd has poured everything he’s got into this album. From the collaboration with Mayer on “Automatic Yes” to working with Muse, Telos is the culmination of years of work, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of musical excellence.
“I’ve always wanted to bring across how amazing electronic music can be,” Zedd explains. “Starting out, I was a rock guy. I was in a metal band. I think most people thinking about electronic music thought ‘It’s just dumb techno. It’s just a kick drum and there’s nothing else to it.’ I wanted to show how there could be amazing musicality and genius moments in electronic music. Part of me always wanted to push the boundaries on what EDM was and is. I think the genres are blending so much more. I’ve always wanted to collaborate with artists from other genres, I’ve just quite had the courage to go balls out and collaborate with the artists I’ve really wanted to on one album, like Telos.”
But what exactly is a Telos? In ancient Greek philosophy, telos refers to the ultimate aim, goal, or purpose—something that Zedd has clearly channeled into his latest work. It’s about achieving fulfillment, a finality that wraps up everything with a sense of purpose. And for Zedd, Telos represents the album he’s always wanted to make, free from the constraints of time and pressure.
As he explained in our conversation, “We hadn’t made the final decision to call the album Telos until the day I had to deliver it. But what really made us all feel connected to that name was the realization that this album is exactly what I’ve dreamed of making. It’s the album where I got to work with artists I’ve always wanted to collaborate with, and where I could truly be myself. Every meaning of Telos—from fulfillment to the idea of an end—I felt at some point during the creation of this album.”
One of the most intriguing tracks on Telos is a reimagining of Jeff Buckley’s “Dream Brother.”
Zedd, a long-time admirer of Buckley’s work, saw this as an opportunity to honor one of his musical heroes while bringing Buckley’s genius to a new audience. This wasn’t just a remix—it was a chance to keep Buckley’s DNA alive in a way that felt both respectful and innovative.
Zedd also shared how Telos allowed him to draw on classical influences, something he’s always wanted to explore more deeply. One of the tracks, titled “1685,” is a collaboration with Matt Bellamy of Muse, and it’s based on a piece of music by Johann Sebastian Bach—specifically, The Well-Tempered Clavier. As Zedd explained, “I remember that piece vividly, and it stuck with me because it’s one of those rare works of music that has survived centuries. The fact that something written in 1685 can still resonate today is incredible. I wanted to capture that timeless quality in my own music.”
With influences ranging from Jeff Buckley to Johann Sebastian Bach, and collaborations with artists like John Mayer and Matt Bellamy, Telos is more than just an album—it’s a statement. It’s Zedd’s way of threading together the past, present, and future into a cohesive work of art that’s as thoughtful as it is innovative.
Telos is available now, and trust me—this is an album you’ll be talking about for years to come.