Zayn Malik has revealed his fifth studio album, 'Konnakol', set for release on April 17, along with a major 31-date world tour starting in May 2026. The announcement follows his recent Las Vegas residency, where he debuted several new tracks. The project draws deeply on his South Asian heritage, blending R&B with percussive vocal elements.
Zayn Malik, the former One Direction member, announced his fifth solo album, 'Konnakol', on February 4, 2026, with the full release scheduled for April 17 via Mercury Records and Island Records UK. The lead single, 'Die For Me', arrives on February 6. In a statement, Malik described the album's title: “ ‘Konnakol’ in its definition is the act of creating percussive sounds with one’s voice but what it means to me lies somewhere much deeper. It is a sound that holds the reverberation of a time before words existed. I have always drawn on my heritage for inspiration since I first started making my own music – this album is a development of that understanding, knowing more now than ever, who I am, where I come from and where I intend to go.”
The album marks a return to R&B roots seen in his 2016 debut 'Mind of Mine', while incorporating South Asian influences, including Urdu lyrics in the track 'Fatal'. Artwork, photographed by Nabil Elderkin, features Malik's blurred face alongside a snow leopard, symbolizing his heritage. This follows his 2024 folk-leaning album 'Room Under The Stairs' and its 'Stairway To The Sky' tour, his first solo outing.
Preceding the announcement, Malik wrapped a seven-night Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM from January 20 to 31, 2026. There, he premiered five unreleased tracks: 'Die For Me', 'Nusrat', 'Used To The Blues', 'Fatal', and 'Take Turns'. Fans experienced a 'Z5' listening booth for snippets of new material. During the shows, Malik joked about ticket prices, saying, “Hopefully the ticket prices weren’t too high – just saying!”—a lighthearted reference to high costs for bandmate Harry Styles' upcoming Wembley performances.
The 'Konnakol' tour, Malik's largest solo endeavor, spans 31 dates across the UK, Mexico, the US, and South America. It kicks off May 12 at Manchester's AO Arena, followed by Glasgow (May 16), Birmingham (May 19), and London’s O2 (May 23). June brings three Mexican shows, July through September covers multiple US cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles, October hits South America (Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Peru), and November wraps in the US with stops in Buffalo and Miami. Pre-sale starts February 10, general sale February 13.
As Malik's first major tour since leaving One Direction in 2015, it signals a busy 2026, contrasting Styles' recent album reveal and record-breaking Wembley run.
