Chicago’s Umraan Syed is building musical worlds in cinematic fashion. On Zenith, a 45-minute visual album is available to all audiences. Produced by Syed himself, the artist collaborates with Sonic Architectz to create a genre-blurring experience between hip-hop, ambient music and cinematic storytelling. Co-directed by Umraan Syed and Enas Syed, the project relies heavily on visuals to match its expansive sound.
Opener “T ak eM e” wastes no time setting the tone. It’s lush, majestic and instantly transports you into Zenith’s celestial orbit. From there, “Different” lives up to its name, combining a spaceman-led narrative with airy, melodic hip-hop production. The song patiently builds, layering emotions and sounds until it locks you into a hypnotic rhythm.
“Transformation” is an inward transformation. It’s reflective and personal, backed by VHS-style visuals that add a touch of nostalgia, while the production drifts into a beachy, almost escapist space. The balance between introspection and aesthetics is reflected in “Be OK”, which becomes one of the emotional pillars of the project – a reminder that self-actualization is not optional, but necessary.
Then there’s “No Pain,” the energy flips. The trap-driven production is harder, faster, and more aggressive than anything before it. It’s a curveball, but it works – it feels more like a movie sequence than a traditional track.
“Get Me” slows things down again, delving into the complexities of relationships and the burden of being misunderstood, especially by those closest to you. It’s one of the most vulnerable moments on the album.
“90 Seconds to Space” feels like it was made for synchronicity. It’s energetic, melodic, and could easily depict a soundtrack to a major sports moment or video game sequence. This momentum continues on New Days Reborn, where hypnotic production and trance-like melodies blur the lines between sound and feeling.
By the time Zenith ended with Zenith Ascension, Syed was in full introspective mode. The song is full of lyricism and intention, with a sonic ending that mirrors the album’s opening – making the entire experience complete.
In addition to the music, Syed and Enas Syed recently detailed the project in a podcast with Rose Mercado, giving fans a deeper understanding of the themes and creative direction behind Zenith.
Zenith doesn’t play like a playlist, but like a movie. With Umraan Syed serving as executive producer and Sonic Architectz shaping the sound, the project represents a focused, immersive statement from an artist more interested in building universes than chasing singles. Follow Umraan Syed for more releases and news
