Zayn Malik Going the 'Beyoncé Route': Ex-One Direction Star Will Go Country, Supporters Believe

Zayn Malik has been gearing up for his upcoming album cycle for years now, and it seems like he explored different sounds and genres before settling into what fans assume is country music.

"I'm doing a record I don't think people are really gonna expect. It's a different sound for me," the One Direction alum said in his interview with the "Call Her Daddy" podcast.

"And it's got some more narrative going on, like real-life experiences and stuff. My daughter's mentioned in there a couple of times."

According to reports, a music producer from Nashville, Tennessee came forward to reveal that he has been working with Malik for his new album.

"What got me about Zayn was his voice, you can hear love, loss, pain, triumph, and humanity in it," said Dave Cobb, the co-producer of the singer's upcoming release.

"I feel as if this record is removing the glass from his spirit directly to his fans," he continued, before noting, "Zayn has really created his own universe on this record, he really has no fear and is speaking straight from his soul."

Cobb is a Grammy Award-winning producer who has worked with several country music stars like Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, John Prine, Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, Rival Sons, and more.

He has also collaborated with Lady Gaga for "Always Remember Us This Way," a song from the 2018 film, "A Star Is Born."

Zayn Malik's New Album After 2 Years

Malik has not released an album since "Nobody Is Listening," in 2021, between that time and his upcoming release, the singer admitted that he has been more focused on his personal life especially now that he is a father.

According to reports, Malik worked on his new album from his Pennsylvania home, which is another factor that fans point to as a sign that the singer is planning to release a country album.

READ MORE: Zayn Malik New Album 2024: 'Unexpected' Collaborator Working For New Music?

Zayn Malik Tries a New Sound

If Malik will follow in Beyoncé and Lana Del Rey's footsteps by releasing a country album, it will be the first time he has ventured out of his usual sound.

After all, Malik is best known for pop and alternative R&B music, especially with his boy band roots.

The "Let Me" singer left One Direction in 2015 due to "a lot of politics." In his "Call Her Daddy" interview, the singer revealed: "Certain people were doing certain things, certain people didn't want to sign contracts, so I knew something was happening.

"So I just got ahead of the curve, if I'm being honest with you."

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