Since the beginning of his fame, Zayn Malik, formerly of band One Direction and now professionally known as ZAYN, was perceived as the quiet one with the mysterious, artistic mind. In his solo debut album "Mind of Mine," Zayn proves that he is a man in control of his message now. He proves that this album really is a reflection of his authentic thoughts by taking the lead as executive producer of the album and writing or co-writing all 18 tracks on the deluxe edition.
Here are seven moments that showcase why his new control over his identity makes the album a worthy listen:
1. "Open up and see what's inside my mind." This is the ending line of "MiNd of MiNdd (Intro)" that prepares his listeners to journey into his thoughts which typically revolve around sexual desires, marijuana, and finding oneself in the most organic way possible.
2. "Heart beats the pump of my blood/No strings for you to pull on." These two lines are from the track "BeFoUr" in which ZAYN openly sings about his new-found freedom in being a solo artist away from the boyband machine.
3. The album's intermission, alternatively titled "fLoWer," is ZAYN's declaration of pride in his Pakistani heritage. For almost two minutes, he sings entirely in Urdu with nothing but the sound of a guitar in the background for most of the song.
4. In an interview with Billboard Magazine, Zayn was reported to have sloshed his drink on himself while vibing to his track, "sHe." After listening to the breakdown before the bridge and the beats in the last twenty seconds, it's clear this song lives up to its reputation of having a strong groove.
5. "I want to see you bright," repeats itself in the chorus of the appropriately titled song, "BRIGHT." This track serves to be the most club-ready song on the album showcasing Zayn's falsetto, his pining lyrics about a woman so enticing, and a pulsing beat.
6. "TiO" is the most explicit track on the album in which Zayn explores even more intimate ground than his first single, "PILLOWTALK," did. The title serves as an acronym for take it off, a phrase that Zayn uses many times throughout the song.
7. The most honest track on the album also showcases Zayn's strong vocals. "fOoL fOr YoU" is a bitingly honest song about falling out of love yet still wanting to be a fool for the other person. Since Zayn broke off his two-year engagement the summer before he began writing his album, this song serves as his most poignant reflection on that time.
Overall, this album is Zayn's strong first step to delivering a sound that accurately portrays who he is. His lyrics are concise and blunt, his vocals are strong ranging from low tones to falsettos, and the beats of each song move the record well, inviting repeat listens and dancing. For a first effort, Zayn succeeds in producing a work that is representative of himself finally after almost six years in the global spotlight.
Listen to album here.
Reach Staff Reporter Nicole Medina here.
Annenberg Media