We checked in with Zoya to talk about how the cross-continental collab came together.

How did this collab with Leoh first come about, and what drew you to his production style for this track?
A good friend of mine and prolific producer Traxx connected us when Leoh came to Montreal for a couple of days. I just know if Traxx cosigns it, it’s dope — and I was right.

“Simple Things” feels effortlessly smooth but still has that undeniable bounce. What kind of mood or mindset were you in when you were writing or singing?
I must’ve written the full thing in under 30 or 40 minutes. I remember that day I was running late, and I was also flying back to LA early the next morning, so it couldn’t be one of those sessions that stretches out late into the night. I think the time constraint helped. I hate reworking tracks from a distance, so I knew all the sauce had to be in before I left that studio. I think it informed the concept as well. Sometimes when you have too much time or space, all the options become overwhelming and it paralyzes you creatively. When in doubt, don’t overthink it. Simple things — life is the simple things.

You’ve experimented with so many styles over your career. How does “Simple Things” fit into where you’re heading next musically?
It doesn’t. It has nothing to do with where I’m headed next. I spent years wrestling with this feeling of staying diverse sonically but making it cohesive. I’m done fighting that battle. If it feels nice to the heart, that’s the way to go.

There’s a line in the song — “If one day I ever found a genie in a bottle…” — so we’ve got to ask: if you found one, what would your three wishes be?
Hahaha, hmmm, corny but eradicate world hunger, cancer, aaand selfishly give myself enough money to never make a financially driven decision for the rest of my life.

Anything else you’d like us to know? What’s next for the almighty Zach Zoya?
Misstape 2 with the legendary High-Klassified is coming this spring.