Since leaving One Direction in March of last year, Zayn Malik has made a name for himself in the media. First with the leaving behind his four best friends, and then for announcing a solo career.
Sophomore Lily Martinson said, “I was shocked when he (Zayn) left the band, I think everyone was, but if he is happier on his own then I guess that I am happy too!”
The artist released a single, called ‘PILLOWTALK’ on Jan. 29, 2016, which was the first single off of his first solo album, Mind of Mine. The album came out on March 25, 2016.
Martinson said, “The song (‘PILLOWTALK’) was interesting I thought. Definitely different than anything he had done with One Direction, so I think that he did a good job separating himself from those days.”
The album had a second single that was released with the pre-order of the album, ‘iT’s YoU’ on Feb. 25, and another on March 17 called ‘BeFoUr‘.
The song was described as smooth R&B by critics and also has a music video that was released the same day. The music video was shot in Manchester and represents the hardships Malik went through during his teenage years.
Martinson said, “I think that it is cool how he related his music to his past and wasn’t afraid to show and tell it like it was; not to sugarcoat anything.”