On March 25, 2015, Zayn Malik left One Direction. Little did One Direction fans know, exactly one year later Zayn would release his first solo album "Mind of Mine." When Zayn first left One Direction, I was completely heartbroken. I cried and ate ice cream and was just a hot mess express -- you would have thought I had just broken up with a boyfriend. At first, I refused to support Zayn. I was angry and my heart hurt deeply. I was wounded. How could he do this to us? As time went by, I began to feel OK. It made me feel a little better knowing Zayn got out of the band because he wasn't happy, but then in the summer when he announced he was signed to a record label, I was pissed all over again. I was pissed because he quit the band because he wanted to be a "normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight." Making a new album sure as hell wasn't taking the time to relax and be a normal 22-year-old. Trust me, Zayn, you will never be normal.
The months passed and life was normal. Well, as normal as life can be as a One Direction fan. The other four members of One Direction released their first album post-Zayn, but this time, the album release came with heavy hearts. One Direction announced that they would be taking a hiatus. At first, I was really upset, but then I realized I needed this break as much as they did. I have been a One Direction fan since 2012, and let me tell you, that's a long time to stick by this band's drama. I have been through four album releases, multiple cheating scandals, multiple girlfriends and let's not forget the "Larry Stylinson" drama. I was so invested in this band and don't understand why. Once One Direction began their break, my life became a little easier, until January when Zayn released his first single off of his new album, "PILLOWTALK."
"PILLOWTALK" is probably the best song off of Zayn's new album. I was obsessed with this song and thought, "OK, if Zayn is going to do this and the whole album sounds like this, it's going to be killer," I hate to say this, I was wrong. On March 25 when "Mind of Mine" came out, I got up that morning and rushed to Target to buy it. Of course, it wasn't being sold in stores at the time so I bought it on iTunes, and I was kind of disappointed. Don't get me wrong, Zayn has a beautiful voice, but I just feel like this album should have been so much more. Maybe it will grow on me, but who knows. I personally don't see Zayn ever touring with his music. He was so awkward in One Direction, but at least he could hide in with the other members and had others up on stage with him. Now he will be up there alone, and I just don't see him as a stage performer. I love Zayn and as long as he continues to put out music, I will continue to buy it and support him. I just wish he would have done more. But here's to you Zayn for doing what you love.
