Zayn Malik says that his next album will have “Indian influences”.
The former One Direction singer has promised that his fifth studio record is coming next year and suggested that it will be similar to his 2016 chart-topping solo debut Mind of Mine.
Zayn is quoted by The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column as saying: “The next album is soon.
“I have been working on some cool s*** in South Asian music and bringing those influences into my music as well.
“It is like pop, R+B, and a lot of Indian influences. The record is like a continuation of Mind of Mine in that sense. I might have some songs coming out in Urdu, too.”
The Pillowtalk hitmaker revealed that fans would soon hear new music that he has worked on with a “cool collaborator”.
Zayn, 32, said: “I’ve got some new music coming out soon with another cool collaborator. That is coming out first.
“We have got some big things lined up. I think next year is going to be a big year.”
Zayn has recorded the soundtrack to the new video game Borderlands 4 but revealed that he dreams of hosting his own radio programme.
He said: “I want to do my own radio show.
“I love doing funny voices and all the silly s***. I think it would be fun to do.
“We have been talking about it. We live in a really f****** cool time.”
Malik recently teased a track that alluded to the racism he faced during his time in One Direction.
The singer shot to fame in the What Makes You Beautiful band alongside Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and the late Liam Payne but hinted at the challenges he faced before leaving the group in 2015 to pursue a solo career.
On the track Fuchsia Sea, Zayn – who is of Pakistani heritage on his father’s side – raps: “I worked hard in a white band and they still laughed at the Asian.”
A song of the same name already appeared on his 2024 solo album Room Under The Stairs, so it’s unclear whether it’s simply been updated or will be a new song entirely.