ZAYN – New Era Discussion | Signs with new management

[schnetzka]

He's going from one extreme to another. I'd prefer at least 13 songs but as long as none of the songs are below 3 minutes I'll be happy. If he follows both the 2 minute song trend with only 11 songs, that would feel more like an EP.

[groovy]

"Vibez" is out in my time zone. Midtempo R&B, very Chris Brown-esque and it's hella short, only 2:43.

It's cute but it's a bit underwhelming for me. Still looking forward to the album though!
Also, I always wonder why he didn't continue the Alt-R&B/Pop style from his first album ("She", "BeFour", etc.). I thought it fits him so well!

[SHOOTER]

[Nick]

He confirmed 1/15 album release.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJxX_EAn2-L

[schnetzka]

Vibez is very mundane to me. It is one of the songs in recent times that use the short song to a disadvantage. It doesn't go anywhere and ends rather abruptly. I seriously hope that the two already released singles are the shortest songs on the album. I cannot deal with another album full of 2 minute songs especially when there's only 11 in total on the album.

I know he's going for that chill r&b vibe but even then it should still go somewhere. The song just lacks a clear destination for me at least. We'll see what the album consists of.

[Nick]

1. "Calamity"
2. "Better" 2:55
3. "Outside"
4. "Vibez" 2:43
5. "When Love's Around (feat. Syd)"
6. "Connexion"
7. "Sweat"
8. "Unf**kwitable"
9. "Windowsill (feat. Devlin)"
10. "Tightrope"
11. "River Road"

[Choco]

Credit where it's due, that album title is very self-aware.

[Ling-Ling]

Perched for the song featuring Syd. "Vibez" isn't a total loss, but it's a vocal mess. I just hope he sounds better on the rest of the album.

[marcyiam]

To call and listen to snippets of 9 of his new songs:

(If the Tweet won't load: 323-991-ZAYN)

[T.B.F.]

The snippets all sound very chill. Outside is my fave and the song with Syd is giving me Love On The Brain vibes from the clip if the song goes where I think it will. Oh...never mind, the songs aren't in order, but if pressing #5 gets you When Love's Around then I am on board. I really like Sweat too.

[marcyiam]

I want to hear more of what I heard in 5 and 7 and see where they go.

[Nick]

He was trending earlier this morning, today is his 28th birthday.

[marcyiam]

Jan 12, 2021 9:14:20 GMT -5 Nick said:

He was trending earlier this morning, today is his 28th birthday.

Yeah. Still crazy to think about them being only 16-18 when they started. So young and how they've grown and come into their own person. And how much they've done in that time.

[Nick]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ-BqYJHadz

[Deleted]

Just listened to the album and its definitely his weakest effort to date. The album sounds kinda cheap tbh at times and underproduced or weirdly mixed. Some of the songs are also straight up boring. The overall album has a very lowkey chill vibe but idk some of it just crosses the uninspired unethusiastic side.

The takeaways for me

Vibez
Sweat
Windowsill (the featured artist's part is mehhh)
When Love's Around 

[Deleted]

Already his last album was not polished product, this here is totally raw and not in a good way.

[Deleted]

Also it appears that Conexxion is the choice focus track given that its the one that picked to be included on Spotify's New Music Friday playlist where its the 6th song on the playlist.

Imo its easily the worst track on the album with Calamity, probably his career worsts tbh

[SHOOTER]

Better
Outside
When Love's Around
Sweat
Windowsill

And that’s being generous. He sounds like he got no sleep before recording most of these vocals and this whole record just feels like a "contract fulfillment" type of album.

[schnetzka]

This album goes absolutely nowhere. Listening through it, I found it hard to distinguish between the songs. Not his best effort (I even preferred the overly long Icarus Falls to this). I hope he becomes more invested in his next project.

[Deleted]

Jan 15, 2021 9:40:31 GMT -5 schnetzka said:

This album goes absolutely nowhere. Listening through it, I found it hard to distinguish between the songs. Not his best effort (I even preferred the overly long Icarus Falls to this). I hope he becomes more invested in his next project.

I guess there is only one direction now...

[Deleted]

I like how we went the last album which was very long but at least had two handfuls of good songs to this project that is short and none of the songs really are memorable at all.

Then again the release in general felt rushed so I'm going to also assume he put this out there to fulfill label stuff

[Nick]

Will take a few more listens, but the album isn't as commercial as Harry's album was. He's clearly not chasing hits.

[groovy]

How is he not pushing the Syd collabo? It sounds like a smash to me, I just don't get him/his team.

[Nick]

[Live Your Life]

I feel like this album is in the same vein as his other albums - Hazy and directionless. But I like some of it. The second half is better than the first.

My favorites are "When Love's Around," "Sweat" and "Tightrope."

[Nick]

Zayn Malik drops 'Nobody Is Listening': All the album's songs, ranked

www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/01/15/zayn-malik-nobody-listening-album-ranking-the-songs/4162632001/

No. 11: 'Better'

Sure, it's the lead single but it's a little too cheesy/obvious.

Sample lyrics: "Hope I only leave good vibes on your living room floor // It hurt so bad that I didn’t when you asked for more // Your dad probably loves me more than he ever did now // Yeah we finally knocked down."

No. 10: 'When Love's Around'

This one has potential to be a track at dance clubs, although something — not sure what — seems missing.

Sample lyrics: "Ever been in love? // Ever really love someone? // People tend to rush // People tend to run to love // Only takes one // To show you what it means to love, love."

No. 9: 'Vibez'

A good pop beat here, but the music drowns out the vocals at points.

Sample lyrics: "Don’t keep me waiting // I’ve been waiting all night to get closer And you already know I got it for ya // You know the vibes, know the vibes // Put it on ya."

No. 8: 'Calamity'

Basically spoken words, but a real look inside Malik's head.

Sample lyrics: "Nostalgia // What a funny feeling // I feel depleted // From feelings I've been revealing."

No. 7: 'Sweat'

Another one that could easily make it onto radio, but it seems a bit ... mechanical.

Sample lyrics: "Staying out for ya // Day and night for ya // We been losing track of time // Reaching higher highs // Only one thing on my mind."

No. 6: 'River Road'

A very mellow tune with a heavy message.

Sample lyrics: "We don't divide each other // Stand on your own // Be a pillar // Lay on my pillow."

No. 5: 'Tightrope'

We've all been on the tightrope, trying to please others. Malik puts it out there in this jam.

Sample lyrics: "Why’s it gotta feel like I'm walking a tightrope // Why you wanna see how far I fall // ‘Cause I’m already up here and I got my eyes closed // And I ain't ever fell from a love this tall."

No. 4: 'Windowsill'

The track's name seems innocent, but ... yeah ... no. Definitely don't play this one with your kids in the room.

Sample lyrics: "Are you done yet // 'Cause I'm ready // Are you waiting for the right time? // Call me back"

No. 3: 'Unf---witable'

Whoops, one of those f-bombs we mentioned. Malik's message of seeing through who's real and who's fake is extremely relatable, though. Especially during COVID-19, we've found out who our real friends are.

Sample lyrics: "I’m unf---witable // In a world of my own // That’s why my shoulder’s so cold // I’m unf---witable."

No. 2: 'Connexion'

This one has a bit of a way-back vibe. Clean and simple.

Sample lyrics: "Funny when you come to mind // That’s when you hit me up // And that’s when we feel a little closer // Just when I started thinking."

No. 1: 'Outside'

This is easily the most radio-ready track. It screams Top 40.

Sample lyrics: "Two wrongs make no right // When it’s left at least we tried // I’ll be back tonight // I’ll let you decide."

[MyLastView]

Maybe it’s only because it’s not 76 tracks with a lot of filler like Icarus Falls, but I think this album is a step up from that. Definitely the usual vein of his stuff.. but there are some good ones.

My favorites so far:
Windowsill
When Love’s Around
Vibez
Sweat
Unfuckwitable

[SHOOTER]

#17 on iTunes. I’m expecting another soft AF debut like IF.

[Nick]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CKXQc9drqqW

[Nick]

Oh well.

-- 38 ZAYN NOBODY IS LISTENING RCA 14,898 -- 4,181 378 10,338