On May 17th, ZAYN released a new studio album ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS, which is his fourth album in total and his first one since 2021. He released this under his new label Mercury Records. Zayn’s sound on this album has changed in comparison to his previous three albums; he went from his usual R&B sound to something more acoustic and introspective.
ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS contains acoustic guitars, live drums and calmer melodies. Some might say this new sound on the album corresponds with Zayn’s personal journey to healing and self-discovery.
Before the release of the full album, two singles were already launched into the world: ‘What I Am’ and ‘Alienated’. Both songs showcase Zayn’s versatile voice while talking about opposing topics: ‘Alienated’ speaks of disconnecting and pain, while ‘What I Am’ is more about self-acceptance. Both songs did not necessarily chart well, but that is not required for such a personal and vulnerable album.
The album contains 15 songs and the chosen instruments, melodies and Zayn’s angelic voice become more and more impressive as the album progresses. The album starts with the song ‘Dreamin’, which is a song that, as the title suggests, feels dreamy with its jazz vibe. However, when listening to the lyrics, it’s revealed to be a meaningful song about overthinking things and adapting to new life changes. Zayn is able to showcase his vocal range here as well.
The third song on the album ‘Grateful’ is about gratefulness and Zayn focusing on the positive things happening in his life despite all the hardships that he has endured. “Some mishaps I’ve been mourning, but I’m grateful for it”. ‘How It Feels’ connects to this topic too because of its message of experiencing both highs and lows in life and finding oneself during these struggles. Despite everything Zayn’s experienced in his life, he is very grateful for the way his life has turned out.
‘Stardust’ and ‘Something In The Water’ are two songs that lean more to the pop side of music, and might therefore be a bit more fun for some to listen to. With the album’s overall message, it’s nice to have some variety in the songs. ‘Concrete Kisses’ is about healing and personal growth towards self-love, while ‘Birds on A Cloud’ tackles the topics of freedom and spontaneity. However, one can’t get to freedom and spontaneity without being confronted with oneself and one’s darkest fears, and that fear might be yourself sometimes. “I don’t like you very much but I keep putting up with your sh*t” is what Zayn sings in ‘Gates of Hell’, which is about not liking himself all the time but putting up with it and struggling through it to become a better version of himself. Feelings of frustration and determination are expressed in ‘Shoot At Will’ as well, where the struggle between being yourself and external pressure is presented in a unique way because of Zayn’s vocal arrangements, the lyrics and the use of an acoustic guitar. “Cause it feels like history is pulling me back”.
Even though this album’s main message is about personal growth, love and romance still have a place on the album. ‘My Woman’ and ‘Stardust’ are the chosen romantic songs in this work, revealing Zayn as a hopeless romantic. The soothing acoustic instruments used are a perfect match for these songs. Love and romance play a role in personal journeys as well. ‘False Starts’ has a slow build-up in its intensity which can be linked to courage when embracing new beginnings and taking risks. And isn’t this the main message Zayn’s trying to convey to the audience with this new album?
‘The Time’ showcases Zayn’s powerful voice once more, although some might find his vocal riffs a bit misplaced in combination with the instruments. Some might believe this combination works, and others might find it a bit flat. It’s true, though, that this song is a bit of a stand-out on the album because it feels even more intimate and sincere than the others. “Ain’t it special? Ain’t it precious? The time that we have”.
To conclude, ‘Fuchsia Sea’ is the final song on the album. The repetition of the lines “I’m tired of the gray, I’m sick of the pain” at the beginning and the end of the song provides a perfect outro of this album about personal growth. Zayn’s ready to show a new side of him, away from all the pain and struggles from the past.
Zayn’s newest album can be defined as a bold change from his previous sound and albums, reflecting more on his creative and personal journey as an artist and a person. Not only that, but Zayn also played his first ever live show as a solo artist on May 17th at the ‘O2 Shepherds Bush Empire’, London, UK. For the past eight years in his solo career, he has never done live concerts because of his anxiety and the fact that he did now, proves again how he has been on this journey of personal growth. This new album might show a newer side of Zayn as an artist, but the lyrics are very relatable which ensures the audience can still recognise themselves while listening to ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS.
Written by: Maud Hoebers
Edited by: Marieke Weeda
