Zayn – Bedroom under the stairs

A more organic and acoustic approach, with seriously strummed live guitars and drums. gives smooth, polished and very listenable results

Of all the elders A direction members, Zayn Malik has always seemed the most reluctant to conform to the conventional expectations of boyband graduates once they go solo. After being the first to leave the group that made him internationally famous due to frustrations with the lack of edge and creative potential in their material, Zayn has since released three solo albums that gradually moved away from the pop roots of the One Direction, embracing vintage R&B, hip hop and soul.

On his new album, Room Under The Stairs (so named, apparently, because he actually recorded it in a shoe closet at home), Zayn has further evolved his sound, this time towards a more organic and acoustic, with seriously strummed guitars. and live drums now provide the backdrop rather than the more familiar high-energy electronic beats. Additionally, he teams up with leading Nashville producer Dave Cobb, who counts Brandi Carlile And John Prine among his other collaborators, on what is his first release for Mercury after being dropped by former label RCA in 2021.

The end results are smooth, polished and very listenable. The softer, more introspective vibe suits Zayn’s undeniably rich and emotive vocals, and the country and jazz-tinged musicianship is very competent throughout. Zayn co-writes almost every song with frequent collaborator Daniel Zaidenstadt, with the lyrical themes of vulnerability, disappointment, and feeling like an outsider predominant – although, admittedly, verses like “I have a big cup of shit, you told me to drink it/Middle”. finger on what you believe” (on Concrete Kisses) does not show that it will become the new Leonard Cohen anytime soon.

Although a little too long and samey after 15 tracks, occasionally drifting into wine bar background music territory, there are some immediate standouts on Room Under The Stairs. What I Am, released in March as the album’s first single, is a moving, bruised ballad with a lovely gliding chorus, while the following track, Grateful, is by turns languorous and soaring, with Zayn given a flat -shape to show off his full and impressive vocal range. Stardust (also a single) and Birds On A Cloud are lighter and more pop in the vein of Jack Johnsonbut Zayn also becomes darker, especially in the final, anguished James Blake-like Fuchsia Sea, who once again presents an excellent vocal performance full of emotion.

Room Under The Stairs further cements Zayn’s credibility as a solo artist eager to establish his own voice rather than being held back by his talent show past. He’s unlikely to take his appeal to the stratospheric heights of the other One Direction’s success story. Harry Stylesbut those who are willing to give him a chance will be pleasantly surprised to see how skillfully Zayn has changed paths.