This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at OSU chapter.
Zayn Malik released his first solo album “Mind of Mine” on March 25, and fans have already gone crazy for it! Malik debuted the album exactly one year after formally departing from pop group (one may also say “boy band”) One Direction. Drop what you think you know about 1D, because Malik has successfully differentiated himself from the group’s sound on every track of “Mind of Mine.”
The album definitely embodies Malik’s decision to move in a separate direction, featuring more of an R&B influence in comparison to One Direction’s upbeat, bad-boy sound. If I were forced to judge solely from “Mind of Mine,” I would have guessed Malik was a former member of Boyz 2 Men rather than One Direction. Let that be an indicator of the level of smooth, sexual, occasionally even soulful content Malik is toying with in this project.
“Pillow Talk,” Malik’s first single from “Mind of Mine,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Malik is apparently the first group-departed male artist to achieve this since George Harrison did it back in 1970, following the breakup of The Beatles.
Whether you are, were, or never dreamed of being a One Direction fan, Malik’s album is worth a listen. Seventeen tracks may seem a little overwhelming, but you’re lying if you say you aren’t already in love with “Pillow Talk” and hungry for a little more.