\'Mind Of Mine\' Preview PDF

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An in-depth preview of Zayn Malik's 2016 album 'Mind of Mine'....

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‘Mind Of Mine’ Preview Artist ZAYN Producers Malay, Levi Lennox and MYKL Label RCA Genre R&B Release Date 25th March 2016 Time 45:20

Exactly a year after announcing his departure from the biggest boy band on planet Earth, Zayn Malik is set to release his debut solo album ‘Mind Of Mine’ under the mononymous name of ZAYN. With a lot riding on the success of this album I thought I would review the promotional singles that have been released and give my opinion on what we should expect from the album itself.

ZAYN’s first single ‘PILLOWTALK’ was released at the end of January this year and was an instant success. It debuted at number one in many different countries including the UK, Australia and the US making Zayn the first UK artist to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with a first charted single. ‘PILLOWTALK’ set a new tone for ZAYN, one almost on the other side of the music spectrum to One Direction, with a more electro-pop slash alternative R&B vibe. Personally I thought the song was an incredible debut release, his voice shines almost effortlessly as he nails the high notes contributing to an exceptionally catchy hook.

Second to be released was ‘iT’s YoU’, the commercial success was no where near the heights of the previous song failing to break the UK Top 40 but then again it was only a promotional single. Produced by Malay, who worked with Frank Ocean on his debut ‘Channel Orange’, the song itself is a lot more downbeat and borders on slow jam status. Although again ZAYN performs the song exquisitely, the song’s low-key manner isn’t at all memorable and at times boring.

‘LIKE I WOULD’ the second “official” single but third track released almost writes the wrongs of ‘iT’s YoU’, providing fans with a more upbeat dance track. This definitely has more of a nightclub appeal to it than the previous two song, with its catchier melody and infectious beat. The final song to be released before the full album drop on 25th March was ‘BeFoUr’, which sees a return to the synth pop immersed R&B of ‘PILLOWTALK’. Much like the first single, the song immediately resonated with me and was difficult to get out of my head.

At first you would have thought Zayn Malik was crazy to leave world dominating One Direction, but sometimes you have to do what’s right for you and this new persona of ZAYN seems to be on the right track to succeed once more. The four tracks released gives us some indication that the album will be a mix of pop infused R&B, with both slow and uptempo songs. The commercial success of this album is inevitable but I think Malik will be looking more toward the critical reception and wanting to prove that he can be a stand alone artist....