Intro

Ahem. Testing… 1, 2, 3. *Feedback.* Okay, please excuse me while I don my Boy Band Music Critic hat… Ready! Let’s go!

In July 2023, Zayn Malik (or ZAYN), previously of the boy band One Direction (1D) and now an accomplished solo artist, gave his first interview in six years on Alex Cooper’s podcast Call Her Daddy. He’s known for being the first to leave 1D before their disbandment and for his honesty about dealing with anxiety and disordered eating. He is also famously private about his relationship and subsequent falling out with Gigi Hadid, with whom he has a daughter. For a while, ZAYN has been living a quiet life in Pennsylvania with a myriad of pets. (My favorite comment from this new interview is that ZAYN says he got too attached to one of his chickens before it died and now does not name his chickens. This small comment strangely captures the vibe of his music.)

ZAYN is not sorry about living a more private life, especially when considering his daughter’s relative anonymity and the lack of privacy he had while in 1D. He wants his daughter to have “an option … If she wants to be away from it, she can be out here.”

I love the idea that ZAYN became the “mysterious one” by default. “That wasn’t necessarily my personality; I’m just chill,” he said.

I feel like I do have to address the harassment charges brought against ZAYN by his previous partner Gigi Hadid. He officially pled “no contest” to these charges, though it seems to be well known that he and his former partner’s mother had a contentious relationship that complicates the matter. Even so, I always err on the side of believing the victim over the aggressor and wanted to mention this in case anyone would like to stop reading here.

ZAYN’s daughter is now his main inspiration and the reason he’s back in the public eye for this brief moment. He wants to be a “good example to her” as someone who can look his anxiety in the face and do things anyway.  

This interview came out right before his new single “Love Like This” was released, so even if everything ZAYN says is genuine, I can’t help but think that the timing is a bit convenient. More thoughts on the song below.

All of this is to say that, even though it’s accidental, my review of ZAYN’s music happens to be timely. ZAYN is making his return to the music scene slowly but surely, and there is even talk of him going on a tour despite his well-documented performance anxiety. I appreciate that someone who is seen as somewhat otherworldly has been honest about his very real struggles.

When I was doing my Boy Band Music Critiques on Twitter, I somehow skipped ZAYN’s second album, so I’ll be covering Icarus Falls along with a few of his more recent singles. The album and singles were created in completely different spheres from each other, but they all seem to follow ZAYN’s internal and external trajectory. The album is very relationship-focused, whereas his singles are a bit broader.

Let’s begin!

Icarus Falls (2018) by ZAYN

“Let Me”: “Duvet days and vanilla ice cream” is apparently the most well-known lyric from the album. This song is jammin’, tbh. It’s like a mix between R&B and ’80s pop.

This song is reminiscent of wedding vows in that it talks about personal experiences but also promises love and commitment for life. ZAYN’s promising luxuries and lifelong adoration; not much else you can ask from a prospective partner. (Kinda reminds me of Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra in that it sounds like he’s describing a trophy wife/trophy husband pairing.)

“Natural”: Immediate sexy vibes just from the rhythm and beat. I also love an ocean metaphor, especially one that’s about breaking down barriers.

ZAYN’s vocals in these first two songs are so smooth. There’s no other way to describe it.

“Back To Life”: Oof, this is gonna be one of those too real songs, isn’t it? Talking about his mental illness(es) in terms of losing lives in a video game or forgetting lines while acting… ouch!

The message behind this is so wholesome—that his partner can ground him when his anxiety and struggles get too much for him. “And if I lose the fight / I know she’ll bring me back … to life.” It hints at the kind of understanding for someone else that is hard to come by; this person knows exactly how to soothe his worries.

“Common”: Okay, got some piano ballad vibes going along with an R&B beat. Editing Ryn here. Be prepared for “vibes” in all of these critiques. Apparently it’s my favorite word when describing music!

He sings about a relationship feeling extraordinary even in ordinary moments. One thing I like about ZAYN’s lyrics, especially in this album so far, is that he talks about sex as being part of the intimacy of a relationship rather than the main thing. It’s an expression of closeness to another person, and even though the world is “mistakin’ love for lust,” ZAYN makes it clear that love and lust together are a big part of the uniqueness of the relationship. (Editing Ryn Disclaimer: Nothing wrong with a purely sexual relationship! I’m just on the ace spectrum and like seeing other interpretations of sex.)

“Imprint”: Okay, swift start, right into the lyrics.

This has “our relationship is over but it was a matter of fate that we were together for that time” vibes. Relationships that are fated to be and fated to end always make for bittersweet memories. (See Hadestown…)

We’ve also got another video game reference to losing lives here. Maybe something he was thinking about while writing this album? The fact that we live different lives, in a sense, and can “lose” some without regretting the way the were spent.

“Stand Still”: Super eerie start to this song… Or maybe more like a cosmic feel. Again, back to that Fate gal. With lyrics about both natural and supernatural phenomena, this song feels almost like we’re following his soul as he astral projects. ZAYN uses what I think is a xylophone-type instrument to create an instrumental melody in the background. (Could be wrong there… Again, I’m not a musical expert by any means.)

Okay, electric guitar! Okay, voice doubling! *Snaps.* Even more supernatural-sounding, like an echo. Echoes always sound a bit eerie and supernatural to me; am I the only one?

“Tonight”: We’ve got that otherworldly and transcendental feel to the music again here. And more lyrics about time freezing, about “space and time” being something to notice only in the present, rather than worrying too much about it in the past and future.

I like the idea that his partner’s confidence is bolstered by his own trust in her. (“When you’re feelin’ yourself / I know you’re thinkin’ of me.”)

“Flight Of The Stars”: We start out with straight vocals, still with that echoey sound, and then a bouncing melody before the beat drops. It’s cool how the beat doesn’t drop until he goes from the metaphorical to the literal.

There’s also some more direct references to the album title with the flames and stars and burning; his willingness to do anything for her, to walk through flames or “go through Armageddon.”

“I’ll follow you into the flames” is emphasized with some harmonizing, which makes it clear that this is the message of the song. Not only would he go through all of this for her, he would let her lead him toward that pain if it meant being with her.

“If I Got You”: Loving this whole cosmic Fate theme so far. “Think I’m from space / My soul fell down / I found the Earth / Not leaving now / I know your face / Think you fell too / And it’s my place now, if I got you.” Both of them have different pasts and unknown futures, but the essence of their beings is the same and their true home is together.

This song is a bit more upbeat/intense than the others. I don’t know how to describe it other than that it feels “strong.”

“Talk To Me”: I love the vocalizations at the start of this song. They set up the bouncy vocals for the rest of it. Though I have to say, at this point, many of the songs are feeling a little similar. This could very well be because I don’t listen to a lot of R&B and can’t pick out nuances, though I do feel quite a bit of this album has pop influences.

This is another example of ZAYN making it clear that both the physical and spiritual parts of a relationship are important to him.

“There You Are”: Whoa, the start of this song is kind of trippy. Like I’m only partially hearing the words because my ears are stuffed up or something.

Ooohhh, the burst of passion with the words “there you are” signals that the arrival of this person is a big moment, almost an epiphany or miracle. Genius!

“I Don’t Mind”: Another piano-and-beat song. Is this what most R&B is? I feel like I’m an R&B newb.

This song feels different to the past four or five tracks. It’s simpler, especially vocally, and the message is more about not being afraid to “fall” because it just means he’ll have a chance to “fly again.”

“Icarus Interlude”: I’m interested to see how this acts as an interlude between the first half of the album and the second half. It’s just guitar and bass and a clear analogy about fame. It’s about reaching too high and finding that people don’t really know you. They just love this persona and the art you put out, to the point where some people will  blindly like whatever you do. (“Get the bees coming in for the honey I supply.”) It’s the existential crisis that comes from making your mark at a young age, for achieving so much in the public eye despite feeling like an imposter.

“I’ve been lying to the liars” and “I’ve been lying with the liars every night” are such simple and eerie lyrics that mean something so different despite their similarities.

The song ends with some vocalization reminiscent of South Asian music (I forget what this style is called, but ZAYN is Pakistani, so it makes sense that he would draw inspiration from this area’s culture), which I feel like reverses that sentiment. This is part of himself that he embraces truthfully even in the face of all the lying and faking he does as a public figure.

Gosh, I just love dissecting parasocial relationships…

I’ve definitely enjoyed this song. I feel like this is one I could dissect like a poem and find more and more meaning every time. (Plus, my cool Renaissance Lit professor would be proud of me for using the skillz she taught me! Sorry I didn’t get a Master’s, Cool Ren Lit prof!)

“Good Guy”: Omg, omg, I recognize this guitar melody! It’s from “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” by Nancy Sinatra! This song is on my “Murder You Can Sing Along To” and “Eerie/Melancholy Murder Vibes” playlists! Love when I recognize a sample in a song! (Art is a collaborative effort, everyone! As long as it’s done respectfully!)

Okay, I’ll cool it with the exclamation points now and get onto the current song at hand.

Interesting… after the interlude, ZAYN’s being honest about who he feels he really is. No longer just talking about fated relationships, but now also admitting that he has a hand in keeping these relationships going because “it feels right.”

This song is so eerie that it puts me on edge a little bit. This is so freakin’ good! Lyrics, music, atmosphere, and of course vocals – all A++.

(Side Note from Editing Ryn: I’ve been trying not to use the word “spooky” since learning about its racist origins. I learned about this from Jesse On Youtube, one of my fave booktubers and someone who is always honest about how their identities affect their experiences. Highly recommend you check them out! Also, be conscious and respectful of the fact that they use y’all/y’all’s for second person pronouns and they/them/theirs for third person pronouns. Do NOT misgender/misidentify them!)

“You Wish You Knew”: This song is more upbeat and jazzy. Another moment of honesty about a “fated relationship.” Love is not always enough; there has to be trust and vulnerability. Without those, the relationship falls apart on both sides with resentment and doubt. This song continues with the darker and more honest tone of the second half of this album, the fall from the sun.

I also like the lyric, “Don’t wanna make a headline and lose,” because it shows how fame and publicity can complicate relationships.

“Sour Diesel”: We start with a rolling bassline. This song is super poppy. Ooh, now some funky guitar!

Apparently, “sour diesel” is a strain of cannabis, so the vibe and analogy of the song make more sense now. Thanks, Genius Lyrics!

The lyrics are a different kind of realistic honesty, more about the sexy times of a relationship than how sex is intimate on many levels. About how sex is intoxicating. Maybe he’s also starting to “mistake love with lust.”

Those garage rock vibes really build throughout the song. It’s so cool. Might actually listen to this one more often.

“Satisfaction”: The drumbeat reminds me of the “sound of drums” from Doctor Who… (ZAYN’s version is more heartbeat-esque, though.) This song is a 180 from the rock music of the previous song. It’s much slower and more introspective, almost hauntingly so.

This song is also in conversation with a couple other songs that I can recognize—“The Scientist” by Coldplay and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones. ZAYN takes the Rolling Stones’ lyrics and makes them more haunting and melancholy outside of their bitter and angsty origins.

I’m again super impressed by ZAYN’s songwriting (the song is co-written with producer Malay and possibly others; every source says something different and I don’t own the CD) and vocal delivery. He really has “the medium is the message” ingrained in his artistic process.

“Scripted”: The background sounds like the tick-tock of a clock, maybe showing how time passes even if you’re in a fog. We’ve got some minor chords, too, which we all know I love.

This is about not wanting to say something canned or expected, what he’s “meant” to say. He’s taking the Fate that controlled the first half of the album and saying he wants to do his own thing within that fated encounter. And yet, even though he’s bringing reality into destiny, the song itself sounds really dreamy.

“Entertainer”: I don’t mean this as a diss, but the background music of this song reminds of funky elevator music.

This song is an “our relationship is ending but neither of us want to end it” story. You don’t love me, and I’ve been entertaining your lies and with my own lies and acting just to keep the status quo. There’s also a sense of bitterness here, with ZAYN saying, “I’ll turn you down / When you need me the most.” Perhaps because he’s felt this way in the relationship before?

“All That”: Another sudden vibe change here… This is more like someone cherishing the last moments of a relationship, entertaining a nostalgia for how things used to feel. There’s an overarching idea of “giving” something just to take it away later.

“Good Years”: OOF. This is not so subtly about his performance anxiety and time in/departure from One Direction.

It’s an interesting thing to explore. How his youth was wasted because he was shoved onto this path to stardom. How he both made and lost friends on this path. How he didn’t have a chance to find himself because others’ opinions were too noisy. It makes me think about how singers and musicians have no other path but to get famous if they want success in their field. But what if someone just wants to make music, even though performing is not for them? Is there a path for that?

I know that I’ve felt like I’ve wasted time doing what was expected because it felt like there was no other route. I suspect many people feel the same.

“Fresh Air”: This kind of sounds like a track being played backwards at first. Or maybe being slowed down. It’s about how he needs to break up with a person and/or an activity to break out of a cycle, but also he explains that he “don’t wanna talk about it,” which points to a level of avoidance that perhaps is part of the problem. He wants a break rather than working through these things. Or perhaps taking a break is how he will work through them.

“Rainberry”: Okay, damn, just right into the next song. Let’s avoid dwelling on the seriousness of the previous song (fitting, don’tcha think?) and just move on.

The lyrics are about how he suspects his partner is seeing someone else, and he is confronting them about it, demanding honesty. This song is very funky, perhaps to show that he’s trying not to take this betrayal too seriously because he knew it was over before confirming this infidelity. He just needs to move on.

“Go wash your hands, but you can’t change your past.” – Damn, bro! Savage!

“Insomnia”: This song could totally fit in a playlist about Ronan Lynch from The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater. (“What if we never know why hearts deceive us? / The night calls to dreamers,” and, “My sleep was stolen / I’m searching for thieves.”)

This song feels restless, not quite a nightmare, but more like an unquiet mind. Which fits with the title and the theme of feeling hopeless without the return of his partner, even though his life seems to be going forward.

“No Candle No Light (feat. Nicki Minaj)”: I don’t know how else to say this but this song is a perfect blend of ZAYN’s and Nicki Minaj’s styles. There’s also a little bit of Major Lazer vibes.

The lyrics are again about a dying relationship, felt on both sides. Even though the lyrics are nothing groundbreaking, this is a really catchy song and definitely stands out from the rest of the album.

“Fingers”: This song returns to the R&B ballad genre with lyrics about feeling paralyzed by the end of the relationship. A different angle of the ending of a relationship—the emotions that flood you after it’s over, the regret and nostalgia and loneliness.

“Too Much (feat. Timbaland)”: ZAYN is singing R&B vocals over a hip-hop beat and it somehow works. This is yet another angle of the ill-fated relationship—one person wanting more than the other. One person more invested than the other, and therefore suffering more at the end.

I’m not sure Timbaland adds much to this song with his vocals. I feel like ZAYN could have delivered this song better in his own style throughout. Though I do like the juxtaposition of the R&B and hip-hop elements of the song!

“Still Got Time (feat. PARTYNEXTDOOR)”: Okay, okay, kind of island vibes here. I don’t much about PARTYNEXTDOOR, so maybe this is their influence?

This song kind of feels out of place on this album. It’s about convincing someone else to just have fun in the moment with each other rather than pushing too hard for something more. You could say this is the “rebound” song, but I still feel like that’s a bit of a stretch. It’s by no means a bad song, just might have been better either at the beginning of the album (like saying, “This started out as just something fun”) or as a single.  

“Dusk Till Dawn (feat. Sia)”: Again, this song feels like it should be in the first half of this album, as it’s about wanting to get to know someone and commit to them emotionally. It’s about wanting to support someone else, just like they support you.

Sia’s voice fits really well with ZAYN’s in this slower R&B style. It adds layers to this song by indicating that both parties of the relationship are saying this to each other. It’s a mutual want and commitment.

Okay, apparently this was originally released as a single. I’m not sure why it’s on the Icarus Falls tracklist on Spotify… But I definitely think it fits better as an unrelated single!

Final Thoughts: Overall, this album is really well put together! I love how the “Icarus Interlude” splits the more wistful first half from the more realistic second half. It really makes the album feel purposeful and powerful. ZAYN has once again impressed me with his skills, and even though I’m still not an R&B lover, I can definitely say this is some top notch music.

Various Singles & Cover

“Rumors (feat. ZAYN)” by Sabrina Claudio (2019): Not a huge fan of the Gwen Stefani-esque vocal style of Sabrina Claudio, but I do like the lyrics. They describe a sort of “fake romance becomes real romance” story. And I also like how Sabrina’s part is based on “rumors,” and ZAYN’s is based on confirming the rumors (or “mak[ing] them a reality”).

This song is growing on me, actually. “Know we can keep talkin’ through everybody that’s in this room / Or we can come face-to-face and find out if it’s true” is golden. Like, we’ve been circling each other and relying on secondhand knowledge, but it’s time to just face each other and see what’s real. And the somewhat sinister or eerie vibe of the background music fits this “rumors” theme very well.

“To Begin Again” with Ingrid Michaelson (2021): The lyrics of this song remind me of the Pixar movie Up. Melancholy yet hopeful. Definitely feels like a post-quarantine song.

Also, damn, ZAYN’s versatility knows no bounds. He literally just adopts the same singer-songwriter style of singing that Ingrid Michaelson uses with no difficulty. Their voices complement each other well, and I like how this song makes a point of using both voices to be in conversation with each other rather than just harmonizing.

Cover of “Angel” by Jimi Hendrix (2022): This cover was released on what would have been Jimi Hendrix’s 80^th birthday. I kind of love this cover. It’s unexpected, but after listening to it, I can see how Hendrix’s music (or at least this song) could have inspired ZAYN’s music.

It’s a rock ballad, but as shown in “Sour Diesel,” ZAYN can modify his smooth vocals to fit the rock genre if he so chooses. A very well-executed cover!

“Love Like This” (2023): Alright, this song is apparently ZAYN’s return to the music scene after years of not releasing original material. (He also did a sit-down interview for the first time in six years, which I talk about above! The lyrics reference his commitment to be brave as an example for his daughter, so that’s why I mention it here.)

This is already a different vibe than his previous music. Still uniquely “ZAYN,” but more up-tempo and positive. It’s such a cute dad song… “I guess that’s love like this / Usually, I never wanna jump like this / But I think I wanna dump my chips ’cause I cannot go back.” UGH, adorable. Reminds me of a ZAYN-ier version of twenty one pilots’ song “Formidable” about Tyler Joseph’s daughter. Songs about non-romantic love are not as abundant as I would like them to be, and this one is just the right balance of “you inspire me to be better” without putting too much on the shoulders of the kid in return.

This is the kind of unconditional love parents should have for their children. And I can only hope that ZAYN truly means it.

“Tu hai kahan (feat. ZAYN)” by AUR (2024): Unfortunately, I can’t read or understand Urdu, so I’ll be reading a translation of the lyrics. AUR is a Pakistani band, and ZAYN is of Pakistani heritage, so the collaboration definitely fits. It’s apparently a remake of the band’s “breakout hit.”

ZAYN’s voice again blends seamlessly into this collaboration. He truly is talented; his voice can adapt to any genre. This song is a bittersweet love song (fitting for ZAYN, no?) about someone pining for a person who is not with them. And the music completely adds to that bittersweet feeling. Even if I hadn’t looked up the lyrics, I could have guessed what this song was about.

As I got into K-pop and other non-English music the past few years, I was able to appreciate how music can truly transcend language even if languages are used in that music. Of course, reading a translation and/or understanding the lyrics adds another layer to the experience, but being able to appreciate something that I can’t fully comprehend has been an epiphany for me. I don’t need to know every little detail. I can just feel how it affects me. And that’s a perfectly valid way of appreciating art.

This may sound obvious, but I’m the kind of person who has to read every single word of a book and will rewind podcasts if I miss even a sentence. I’m still working on it—I still have trouble DNF-ing books or skipping songs on an album—but I’m getting there. And gosh darn it, ZAYN has helped me on my journey. Thanks, Mr. Malik!

Conclusion

Well, that does it! I’m officially caught up with ZAYN’s music as of today. Listening to this music has really proven to me that I can enjoy things outside of my comfort zone. Even though R&B isn’t typically my genre of choice, this album was a delight to listen to.

I have to say, doing this kind of casual and no-stakes music review has invigorated me. I really enjoy doing these even though barely anyone reads them. (Hi, Mom! You’re my only faithful Boy Band Music Critic reader… Love ya.) I love reading literature about music and music culture, and this is my attempt to add to that genre if only on a teeny-tiny scale. I have fun doing it, and I hope you had fun reading my attempts at music criticism.

-Ryn PB