Review: “ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS” takes listeners on a journey through a new piece in the mind of ZAYN

ZAYN’s fourth studio album, “Room Under the Stairs,” is a departure from the sounds of his previous solo albums. From his first primarily R&B solo album “Mind of Mine” to this acoustic-heavy album, Zayn Malik’s raw vocals have remained consistent.

“Room Under the Stairs” was released on May 17, accompanied by a one-night live performance in London. This shocked fans as it was Malik’s first live solo performance and his first live performance after leaving One Direction.

“I think the intention behind this album is for the listener to get a better sense of me personally as a human being,” Malik said.

Malik announced “Room Under the Stairs” on social media in March 2024 with a heartfelt video addressed to his listeners. He then released the album’s lead singles “What I Am” on March 15 and “Alienated” on April 12. On May 20, Malik released the extended version of “Room Under the Stairs”, featuring five “Z Side” tracks, including two. demos.

Tops

After the release of the first single, “What I Am,” fans were eager to hear the new direction Malik was taking with his music. Malik experiments with his vocals and instrumentals on this track in a way fans haven’t heard before. Known for his wide vocal range, Malik treated listeners to an album with a mix of high and low tones. Malik’s raw, raspy vocals can be heard throughout “Room Under the Stairs,” giving the album a country feel.

For “Room Under the Stairs,” Malik collaborated with Nashville producer Dave Cobb. Cobb’s work can be heard throughout the album. Cobb’s production on “Room Under the Stairs” takes the album to the next level. For example, the first track, “Dreamin” and the “Z Side” track, “In the Bag”, are notable because they feature country-folk qualities like acoustics and keys.

The lowest

“Room Under the Stairs” sees few lows as Malik continues to explore music authentically on his terms. There is, however, potential for improvement as the lyricism is lacking compared to his previous albums. The album begins with strong lyrics with the singles “What I Am” and “Alienated” close to the start. Track seven, “Stardust,” was seemingly destined to be another favorite, but it was as repetitive as it was dreamy. “Stardust” also came with a music video.

Verdict

Overall, “Room Under the Stairs” is yet another raw and emotional record from ZAYN, but with a twist.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Madison Cantrell is arts and entertainment editor at The Eastern Echo and editor of Cellar Roots, EMU’s fine arts magazine. Since fall 2023, they have written news, features and reviews and taken photos for The Echo.