Zayn Malik shared insights into his upcoming fifth solo album, Konnakol, in a preview of his interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast. The episode, hosted by Alex Cooper, highlights his pride in his career progression and hopes to offer fans more about his cultural heritage. The album is set for release on April 17, following the lead single 'Die for Me' on February 6.
Zayn Malik, the former One Direction member, appeared in a preview of his upcoming Call Her Daddy podcast episode, exclusively premiered by Billboard on February 10, with the full episode airing the following morning. In the clip, Malik expresses surprise and gratitude for his solo success. "Honestly, the fact that people still give a sh–," he said. He continued, "Five solo albums now — I was just buzzing that I got to do the first one after [leaving] the band, [and] people seemed to care. I’m really proud of the progression and just the development and understanding of myself through my music."
Konnakol, announced on February 4, will feature 15 tracks and arrive on April 17. Its lead single, "Die for Me," was released two days later, on February 6. The album title refers to a vocal percussion technique in South Indian Carnatic music, involving complex rhythmic patterns spoken with specific syllables, as noted by Forbes. Malik, who is U.K.-born of Pakistani descent and raised Muslim, told host Alex Cooper that he hopes the project gives fans "more insight on maybe my culture and heritage."
The single blends moody R&B and pop elements with South Asian influences, building on the acoustic style of his 2024 album Room Under the Stairs. Production includes atmospheric synths, heavy bass, and syncopated vocal layers, showcasing Malik's falsetto and fluid runs. Lyrics explore betrayal in a relationship, with lines like "2 a.m., you ain’t home / Called your friends, said you’re gone."
The music video, directed by Ivanna and Frank Borin, features Malik in elemental settings with lightning strikes and a snow leopard symbolizing his ancestry, emphasizing chaos and resilience without a linear narrative.
This era marks a decade since Malik's 2015 solo debut, Mind of Mine, which topped the Billboard 200, followed by Icarus Falls, Nobody Is Listening, and Room Under the Stairs. Ahead of a 31-date arena tour across the U.K., North America, and South America, he recently completed a seven-night residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas.
Other former One Direction members have also released music recently: Harry Styles' "Aperture" in January became his third Billboard Hot 100 No. 1, and Louis Tomlinson's How Did I Get Here? topped the U.K. albums chart that month.
