Zayn Malik Prepping for New Album

Zayn Malik is prepping the release of his fourth album, and he’s trying out a new sound. The One Direction alum worked with Nashvillie producer Dave Cobb, who is best known for working with country and rock artists like Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile and Jason Isbell.

“What got me about Zayn was his voice, you can hear love, loss, pain, triumph and humanity in it. I feel as if this record is removing the glass from his spirit directly to his fans,” Cobb says. “Zayn has really created his own universe on this record, he really has no fear and is speaking straight from his soul.”

Malik had teased his new direction in an interview late last year, saying, “I’m doing a record I don’t think people are really gonna expect. It’s a different sound for me.”