"Zonoscope" is the third studio album by Australian electronic music band, Cut Copy. It was released on 4 February 2011 by Modular Recordings. This album marked a shift from the band's traditional sound by heavily incorporating influences from 70s and 80s music, particularly from the genres of disco, New Wave, and synth-pop.
For "Zonoscope", Cut Copy collaborated with art director Alter, photographer Tsunehisa Kimura, and engineer and producer Ben Allen, best known for his work with Animal Collective and Gnarls Barkley. The album cover features a manipulated photograph by Kimura, depicting a waterfall cascading from New York skyscrapers in a post-apocalyptic setting, which resonated with the band's vision for the album.
The recording process took place over a six-month period in a warehouse space the band rented in Melbourne. The band members have described the recording as an organic, stripped-back process, with the music often created through live improvisation before it was layered and mixed with digital effects.
The album received an overall positive response, both commercially and critically. It was awarded a Gold certification in Australia and was nominated for the Best Dance/Electronica Album at the 54th Grammy Awards. The album also considerably expanded the band's international following, featuring popular tracks like "Need You Now", "Where I'm Going", and "Take Me Over".
Overall, "Zonoscope" is considered an escalating exploration of new wave depth and disco expanse with a whiff of Island Records’ compass-kissing pop and Studio 54 electro.
