An exact year after leaving One Direction, Zayn dropped his first solo album. I’ve been excited and nervous about this since he announced it. I honestly thought it would be terrible, but I was pleasantly surprised. Besides the middle school typing, this is a great album. Not only did he prove he could make it as a solo artist, but he’s a damn good one at that. Here’s my honest opinion and rating of each song on “Mind of Mine.”
1. MiNd Of MiNdd (Intro)
This has such a good vibe that reminds me of The 1975’s intro songs. It sounds like a mix of the entire album in under a minute, but I love it. It gives you a taste of what the album is going to sound like.
Rating: 6/10
2. PILLOWTALK
When this first came out, I was debating listening to it. I was still a little salty that he left One Direction, but this song has been such a jam since it came out. Not only is the song catchy, but also Zayn and Gigi in the video is an actual representation of the fire emoji. This song has such a great vibe and Zayn's vocals are killer.
Rating: 10/10
3. iT’s YoU
This song hits me with the feels after finding out that it was about Zayn’s ex, Perrie. I’ve missed hearing Zayn’s voice in a ballad, and this is just a beautiful song. His falsettos are amazing and the lyrics are just wow. He slays the high notes, but does that surprise anyone?
Rating: 8/10
4. BeFoUr
WHAT A JAM. This song is illegally catchy. It’s been played at least 200 times and it was the fourth song released. This is one of my favorite songs on the album by far. The backtracking and layering is just amazing, and it’s great to hear Zayn sing a pop-y beat again.
Rating: 12/10
5. sHe
This has such a cool, bad-boy vibe that I’m totally into. The chorus is such a tune and 10/10 would recommend to everyone in society. This is the stuff I wanted Zayn to make and I’m so into it.
Rating: 10/10
6. dRuNk
The beginning of this song is slow, but still catchy. It’s just Zayn’s voice and a little bit of percussions, aka heaven. The chorus hits you with his infamous high notes and the lyrics “drunk all summer,” aka my life. This song is one of those chill but cool songs. The vibe reminds you of something you’d hear at a club or party.
Rating: 9/10
7. INTERMISSION: fLoWer
Although it’s an intermission, this is one of my favorites on the album. Hearing Zayn sing in Urdu is so amazing and nothing like he’s ever done. It’s quite relaxing and not his style at all, which is why I love it so much.
Rating: 9/10
8. rEaR vIeW
This is another one of my favorites. It’s more on the mellow side at the beginning, but the buildup is beyond amazing. It’s a slow buildup, but the chorus is such a great mixture between mellow and pop. His vocals are incredible yet again, and it brings back a strange wave of nostalgia.
Rating: 8/10
9. wRoNg
This is another great song on the album and such a great collaboration. I was surprised that there was collaboration on Zayn’s first album, but it’s definitely one of the best songs on the album. Kehlani's voice is amazing and made it such a great collabortation. The lyrics in the chorus are badass and I love it.
Rating: 10/10
10. fOoL fOr YoU
This song is beautiful. It starts off as a beautiful ballad and builds up to a strong chorus. Zayn’s vocals sound so raw in this song and it’s such a beautiful song.
Rating: 9/10
11. BoRdErSz
The vibe of this song is so interesting and reminds me of something I’d listen to in a basement party. Zayn is really playing with his voice in this song, but I dig it.
Rating: 8/10
12. tRuTh
This song doesn’t sound like Zayn at all, and it’s very Frank Ocean-inspired to me.
Rating: 6/10
13. lUcOzAdE
This song is so funky and hearing Zayn cuss is heaven to my ears. The beat drop in this song is fantastic and it’s easily one of my favorites.
Rating: 9/10
14. TiO
This song reminds me of The Weeknd and I love it. It’s very sensual, but I dig it 100 percent. It’s totally about/for sex and I’m perfectly fine with that.
Rating: 10/10
15. BLUE
This song has major Coldplay vibes, but it sounds too much like an interlude. It’s kind of a downer after listening to TiO.
Rating: 4/10
16. BRIGHT
I love this song. The change of the beat is so interesting and the vibe is very futuristic.
Rating: 9/10
17. LIKE I WOULD
This song is my ultimate favorite on the album. The lyrics are amazing and the backtracking is wonderful. The chorus is so catchy and I could listen to this song for the rest of my life. I wish this was Zayn’s first single, but I can get over that. I’m sad that this is on the deluxe version because I think that everyone should have the blessing that is this song. It’s just a tune and jam, and I plan on making everyone listen to it.
Rating: 1,000/10
18. SHE DON’T LOVE ME
While this song isn’t terrible, it’s not my favorite. The vibe is great and the lyrics are nice, but it’s not the best on the album.
Rating: 7/10
After listening to this album, I’m not even mad Zayn quit One Direction. God bless him for leaving and for making this beautiful gift of an album.
