Zayn Malik with producer Naughty Boy (centre) / Image: Twitter

The New Indie-Folk Zayn Malik Is Actually Really Good

Well, it didn’t take long for very recently ex-One Direction member — and, let’s be honest, unassailable dreamboat — Zayn Malik to get started on laying down some solo music, with a collaboration with UK producer Naughty Boy titled I Won’t Mind leaked online today.

Those expecting more of the candy-coated, tween romance vibing power pop of his former life as a boy band member, may be surprised to find that this is an entirely new Zayn Malik, reborn from the fires of the last explosive week, which saw him quit One Direction and accused of cheating on his girlfriend. Now he’s risen from the ashes as… Bon Iver?

Yes, Zayn 2.0 is a bonafide Mumford & Sons-esque crooner, a sultry indie-folkster and, look, it’s actually pretty damn good. As someone who would rather set their dick on fire than listen to an entire One Direction song I’m seriously shocked at how much we’re enjoying this track, a demo which was just leaked by Naughty Boy on SoundCloud.

I kind of want to listen to it on repeat, my head pressed against a bus window as it drives past a verdant forest, thoughts of my former life drifting away. What is happening to me?

Give I Won’t Mind a listen below and come up with your own thoughts on Zayn Malik: solo music maker.

Listen: Zayn Malik – I Won’t Mind (Demo)

https://soundcloud.com/youthonix/i-wont-mind-zayn-naughty-demo

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