Entertainment /
Mind Of Mine Review: Zayn Malik Reclaims His Soul & R&B Roots Outside Of 1D
Mind Of Mine Review: Zayn Malik Reclaims His Soul & R&B Roots Outside Of 1D
Entertainment Mar 25, 2016
After five years of gritting through One Direction's music and its constraints on his soul, Zayn Malik reveals his moody and soulful side on Mind of Mine.
From his epic Twitter beefs to his contentious interviews disparaging his former life in 1D, Zayn has dealt with that transition period in the same messy way that we all do when we try to find our voice — but in a more elevated and scrutinized way.
Mind of Mine suggests that Zayn has used that downtime to reclaim his personhood away from Simon Cowell and his boys. It's a brooding and sexy record that aims to transcend the trappings of a newly solo singer.
The Tha Carter–Inspired Cover
Photo Credit: www.Itunes.com
Photo Credit: www.Itunes.com
Working with producer James "Malay" Ho, whose efforts are apparent in Frank Ocean's work, Mind of Mine has the sleek production values of a Weeknd record.
Zayn had the strongest voices in 1D but used that high falsetto in short bursts throughout his tenure. But on tracks like "iTs YoU," he lets that out with great swooning effect. On that track and throughout the album, Zayn slips moments of raga into his vibrato, and these nuanced touches are a gem.
"INTERMISSION: fLoWer" is a lovely interlude where Zayn sings in Urdu and reminds his South Asian fans that he hasn't forgotten his roots. It's a dreamy track that feels like you're listening to an A.R. Rahman song with its acoustic guitar and floating vocals.
If things don't work out, Zayn could always give Arijit Singh a run for his money because his diction is perfect and oozes with that besotted wonder.
These small snatches of hybridity acknowledge that, in mixing his influences, there's a real treasure of a song that works for both his audiences.
He delivers jams like "lUcOzAdE" and "wRonG" that borrow the druggy, hazy sound that The Weeknd has lorded over. Zayn manages to make it his own even if the lyrics feel a bit overwritten.
Zayn in His Latest Profile in Complex
Photo Credit: Complex Mag
In going the fuzzed-out R&B route, he's treading the same path as Nick Jonas and Justin Timberlake, who dropped sexual lyrics to signify their aging out of boyband days, but the approach feels different in Zayn's case.
The album showcases Zayn's confidence in his voice because he goes from unburdened swagger in "TiO" to the swooning high notes of ballads like "fOoL fOr YoU."
Lyrically, he's a bit rusty, but on songs like "PILLOWTALK," you can tell he's relishing the swearing and using that melisma like he used to in 1D.
Despite the raw lyrics, he goes beyond the bedroom singer crooning to distinguish his voice without ever coming off as screechy.
Mind of Mine is a real masterpiece because it'll appeal to his dedicated fan base but also has enough verve and substance to attract a new crowd. Keep this one on repeat!
Main Image Photo Credit: www.complex.com
Rumnique Nannar
Author
Rumnique Nannar is a new journalist with a passion for all things pop culture, film, and art. Rumnique was born in London, with a predilection for devouring English chocolate with her Vogue, ANOKHI, and Glamour magazines in tow. She is currently in her Journalism Masters at UBC. Connect ...
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
14 Bollywood Remakes Vs. Their Hollywood Originals - Who Did It Better?
-
Catch Pakistan's 1st Ever Hand-Drawn Animated Film 'The Glassworker' & Other South Asian Films At Reel Asian Festival
-
World Mental Health Day: How Bollywood Has Used Its Power Of Storytelling To Address Mental Health Stigmas
-
Highlights Of Archie Panjabi, Neeru Bajwa & Iman Vellani At iSAFF2024
-
3x Emmy-Nominated Television Host & Producer Rasha Goel Launches New Podcast "Beyond the Glam" - Premiering Today!
-
Does Bollywood Accurately Portray Financial Struggles of India's Working Class?
-
Canada’s International South Asian Film Festival (iSAFF) Triumphantly Unveils Its Thrilling 2024 Lineup!
-
TIFF 2024: Our Chat With Writer-Director-Star Srinivas Krishna On The 4K Restoration Of His Hidden Canadian Classic ‘Masala’
-
TIFF 2024: First-Time Filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi Dishes On ‘Boong,’ Her Funny & Profound Modern-Day Folk Tale Told From A Child's Point Of View
-
Nepotism Or Repetitive Content - What's Causing Bollywood's Slump Versus Punjabi & South Indian Cinema's Surge
-
Must-Watch Patriotic Films From India & Pakistan For Your Independence Day Celebrations
-
Villainous Vixens: How Bollywood's Leading Ladies Are Redefining Cinema's Most Memorable Antagonists
-
'Girls Will Be Girls' Wins Big At The 2024 Indian Film Festival Of Los Angeles (IFFLA)
-
OTT Revolution: How Streaming Platforms Are Transforming Indian Cinema
-
A Train Bloodbath With A 90% On Rotten Tomatoes - Why You Should Watch TIFF-Acclaimed Indian Action Flick 'Kill'
-
The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) Celebrates Its 22nd Edition June 27-30 With An Incredible Lineup Of 21 Films
-
Pride Month & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Representation in South Asian Cinema
-
From Stoic Protectors to Emotional Anchors: A Father’s Day Tribute Through Hindi Cinema
-
Exploring South Asian Intergenerational Sacrifice With 'The Wrong Bashir', Now Playing In Toronto
-
Bollywood & Beyond: Must-Watch Films for Vibrant Insight Into Muslim Cultures
-
Over 50 Films From 9 Countries At The Eclectic South Asian Film Festival Montreal (May 24 - June 3)
-
Mother's Day Special: How Bollywood & Hollywood Super Moms Show Us Women Can Have It All!
-
Emerging Talents and Established Icons: Celebrate South Asian Heritage Month with Us!
-
Revealing Truths: South Asian Cinema's Contribution to Earth Day Awareness
-
Review: Monkey Man - Dev Patel Sets the Screen Ablaze with Electrifying Action
-
Exclusive Q&A With Diljit Dosanjh on the Dil-Luminati Tour and the Exciting Simplii Collaboration!
-
12 South Asian Female Artists Who Are Changing Hollywood's Landscape
-
Transitional Representation of South Asian Women in The World of Entertainment
-
Hot February 2024 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
How Jesse "Punjabi Timbit" Singh Explores Emotional Healing Through His Comedy
-
Rukus Avenue Radio, The World's #1 South Asian Radio Station, Joins The iHeartRadio App
-
From Silent Frames To Global Fame: Key Moments That Shaped Bollywood
-
Hot January 2024 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Kerala Actor Santhy Balachandran Celebrates Her Three Incredible Releases In 2023
-
Hot December 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
The Real Reason Why Bollywood Directors Love English In Their Titles
-
Diwali Dance Fest Makes History at Walt Disney World® Resort!
-
TIFF 2023: Deepa Mehta and Sirat Taneja Share Why 'I Am Sirat’ Is The Transgender Story To Be Told
-
The International South Asian Film Festival 2023 (iSAFF) Wraps With A Celebration Of Outstanding Global South Asian Pathbreakers
-
TIFF 2023: 'We Grown Now' Director Minhal Baig Shares With Us Why Neighbourhood Stories Should Be Told
-
Event Alert: BMO International Film Festival Of South Asia Toronto (IFFSA) Is Every Filmi Lover's Dream
-
TIFF 2023: ‘The Queen of My Dreams’ Reigns Over TIFF With Style, Wit And Heart
-
The 21st Indian Film Festival Of Los Angeles (IFFLA) Returns With A Bang!
-
Brendan D'Souza Will Never Cheat On Their One True Love (Stand Up!)
-
Event Alert: South Asian Global Cinema Takes Centre Stage At The International South Asian Film Festival
-
Diwali Comes Alive At Walt Disney World With The First Ever Diwali Dance Fest
-
TIFF 2023: 11 South Asian Films Coming To The Toronto International Film Festival
-
Hot September 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Singers Karan Aujla & Jonita Gandhi Sign On To Warner Music Canada/India's Label '91 North Records'
-
4 Ways Alia Bhatt Steals The Show In The Hot Netflix Film "Heart Of Stone"
-
Priyanka And Nick Jonas Get Ready For The Jonas Brothers' Tour At Yankee Stadium!
-
Hot August 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
5 Reasons Why You Should Watch “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani”
-
JFL Exclusive: How Comedian Zarna Garg Showed Kevin Hart That Brown Women Can Be Funny Too
-
JFL Exclusive: Award-Winning Podcast Comedian Maddy Kelly Is The Next Gen Star
-
Hot July 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Event Alert: “Mughal-E-Azam: The Musical" Kicks Off Canadian Tour With Upcoming Toronto Stop
-
#ANOKHI20: The ANOKHI Emerald Ball Was The Perfect Grand Finale To ANOKHI’s 20th Anniversary Celebrations
-
Pride 2023: 10 Bollywood Films That Honour Our Desi LGBTQIA+ Family
-
Hot Summer Films From Bollywood And Beyond!