We're all secretly One Direction fans at heart. Whether you like them or not, you have to admit that you've found yourself nodding along to at least one of their catchy songs. If you're a huge fan like I am, then you know that we are quickly approaching the one year anniversary of Zayn Malik's explosive departure from the band. After spending around four years with the band, he suddenly left the band last March 25. Rumors swirled about various possibilities for his sudden departure, including saving his relationship with his ex-fianceé Perrie Edwards, inter-band drama and general unhappiness. While he claimed at first that he left the band to be a normal 23-year-old, it has become evident that he has decided that normal life just isn't for him.
During the fall of 2015, he famously spoke about his sudden departure from the band. He claimed that he did not get enough creative room within the band and simply wanted to make music he would listen to since he said that One Direction does not meet that requirement. Insisting that he still loved both the fans and the boys, Zayn decided that he finally wanted to launch his solo career after only a few of being split with One Direction. While many fans still speculate that their are hard feelings between Zayn and the guys, the boys have all handled the situation bravely. With One Direction on hiatus this year, Zayn has decided to release an album titled "Mine of Mine." The release is set for March 25, which is the same day he left One Direction. Zayn claims that this album allows him to express his true musical self, while One Direction never did.
Zayn released his first solo song, "Pillowtalk," on Jan. 29, which you can hear below. While some fans responded with anger toward his solo release, many were impressed with his new sound. "Pillowtalk" has an R&B feel to it that fans had never heard from him before. While the sexual lyrics are nothing groundbreaking, it's a step in the right direction for Zayn as he continues to try and shed his boyband image. The song hit number one after its release. Many, however, criticize the song and the video for their obvious The Weeknd influences. Fans can tell, however, that Zayn has put a lot of dedication and heart into the single. Zayn recently sang a new single, "It's You," on "The Tonight Show." A much more intimate ballad reportedly about his breakup with Perrie Edwards, Zayn is set to officially release both the song on Feb. 25. While his departure may have broken many fans' hearts with his sudden departure, fans should be eager to know that he will be bringing new music to the table March 25.
