Room Under the Stairs
2024 studio album by Zayn
| Room Under the Stairs | ||||
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| Studio album by Zayn | ||||
| Released | 17 May 2024 (2024-05-17) | |||
| Recorded | 2018–2024 | |||
| Length | 48:58 | |||
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| Producer |
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| Zayn chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Room Under the Stairs | ||||
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Room Under the Stairs is the fourth studio album by English singer-songwriter Zayn. The album was released on 17 May 2024 through Mercury and Republic Records. Production was handled by Zayn himself and Dave Cobb.
Background
"This is my favorite album that I've made to date, mainly because it comes from a place of sheer honesty and vulnerability, I wanted each song to feel as if it was just me sitting beside you telling you how I feel, singing directly to you. It's raw and stripped back and the type of music I always hoped to make. Working with Dave Cobb has been an amazing experience. The way he's elevated the music is second to none, and he has done an incredible job helping me create this record. I hope we can take listeners on some whimsical, magical journey, and that they enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed making it."
"I think just being where I was at that time, staying away from things and living with my own thoughts inspired me to want to write something from that place. I've got to put this out as a whole body of work, it's something for myself, not even just for the world."
— Zayn via Rolling Stone[1]
In July 2023, Zayn was interviewed by Alexandra Cooper of Call Her Daddy, where he revealed that he was recording a new album and spoke about some of its content and sound: "I'm doing a record I don't think people are really gonna expect. It's a different sound for me. And it's got some more narrative going on, like real-life experiences and stuff. My daughter's mentioned in there a couple of times".[2]
On 28 February 2024, American record producer Dave Cobb revealed that he was extensively working with Zayn on the latter's upcoming album in an interview with Rolling Stone, in which he said: "What got me about Zayn was his voice, you can hear love, loss, pain, triumph and humanity in it. I feel as if this record is removing the glass from his spirit directly to his fans. Zayn has really created his own universe on this record, he really has no fear and is speaking straight from his soul".[3] Exactly a week later, in a teaser video, Zayn said: "I think the intention behind this album fully is for the listener to get more insight on me personally as a human being".[4]
The cover art for Room Under The Stairs serves as a visual metaphor for a new beginning for Zayn, featuring his silhouette superimposed on a simplified concept illustration of a room under a staircase. The use of the blueprint drawing conveys the idea of life under construction, paralleling Zayn's deliberate crafting of new musical narratives. The contrast between the silhouette underscores the album's exploration of intimate aspects of the artist's mind and the conception of fresh beginnings.[5]
Conception and influence
Album
"I think the intention behind this album fully is for the listener to get more insight on me personally as a human being… my ambitions, my fears, and for them to have a connection with that and that's why it's so raw. It's just me. There's just me writing this, I didn't want anyone else to be in between me and the music, and the music and the people listening to it."
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Zayn stated that listening to Chris Stapleton and Willie Nelson inspired the songwriting for this album. Putting aside the glossy R&B of his earlier releases in favor of a more rustic and soulful sound inspired by the likes of Stapleton and Nelson.[8]
Release and promotion
The album was announced alongside with its release date on 13 March 2024, and will be released on 17 May 2024.[9] Zayn released a 45 seconds teaser-trailer on 6 March 2024 and made the album available for pre-order.
Singles
"What I Am" was released on 15 March 2024 as the lead single for the album, it was accompanied by a lyric video.[10]
"Alienated", the second single for the album was released with an accompanying live performance on 12 April 2024.[11]
Live Show
Zayn announced his first-ever solo live show at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on May 17 in celebration of the release of his fourth album ‘Room Under The Stairs‘. He will be performing a selection of tracks from his new LP.[12]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Zayn, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Dreamin" | 3:32 | ||
| 2. | "What I Am" | 3:31 | ||
| 3. | "Grateful" | 3:22 | ||
| 4. | "Alienated" |
| 4:07 | |
| 5. | "My Woman" | 3:42 | ||
| 6. | "How It Feels" | 2:59 | ||
| 7. | "Stardust" |
|
| 3:52 |
| 8. | "Gates of Hell" | 2:39 | ||
| 9. | "Birds on a Cloud" | 3:12 | ||
| 10. | "Concrete Kisses" | 3:45 | ||
| 11. | "False Starts" | 3:28 | ||
| 12. | "The Time" | 3:13 | ||
| 13. | "Something in the Water" | 2:31 | ||
| 14. | "Shoot at Will" | 2:37 | ||
| 15. | "Fuchsia Sea" | 2:28 | ||
| Total length: | 48:58 | |||
Personnel
| Musicians
| Technical
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Release history
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 17 May 2024 | [13] | ||
| [14] |
References
- ^ "Hear Zayn Hold His Own on Emotional New Single 'What I Am'". Rolling Stone. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ Kaplan, Ilana (28 February 2024). "Is Zayn Malik Teasing a Country Album? Nashville Producer Details His New Sound: 'No Fear'". People. Archived from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ Blistein, Jon (28 February 2024). "Zayn Teases New Sonic Journey on Next Album Co-Produced With Dave Cobb". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 15 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ Longmire, Becca (6 March 2024). "Zayn Malik Teases 'Raw' New Album: 'There's Just Me Writing This'". People. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "Zayn's 'Room Under The Stairs': Everything We Know About Release Date, Cover Art & An Unexpected Country Influence | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ "Room Under the Stairs trailer". Instagram. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ "Zayn Malik Teases 'Raw' New Album: 'There's Just Me Writing This'". Peoplemag. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ Paul, Larisha (17 April 2024). "How Zayn Drew Inspiration From Chris Stapleton and Embraced Honesty on New Single 'Alienated'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Aniftos, Rania (13 March 2024). "Zayn Announces New Album 'Room Under the Stairs'". Billboard. Archived from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ Zemler, Emily (15 March 2024). "Hear Zayn Hold His Own on Emotional New Single 'What I Am'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Madarang, Charisma (12 April 2024). "Zayn Bids Adieu to the Past in New Single 'Alienated'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Duran, Anagricel (1 May 2024). "Zayn Malik announces first ever solo live show in London". NME. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS by ZAYN on Apple Music, 17 May 2024, retrieved 4 May 2024
- ^ "MUSIC". Zayn Official Store. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- v
- t
- e
- Mind of Mine (2016)
- Icarus Falls (2018)
- Nobody Is Listening (2021)
- Room Under the Stairs (2024)
- "Pillowtalk"
- "Like I Would"
- "Wrong"
- "I Don't Wanna Live Forever"
- "Still Got Time"
- "Dusk Till Dawn"
- "Let Me"
- "Entertainer"
- "Sour Diesel"
- "Too Much"
- "Fingers"
- "No Candle No Light"
- "Trampoline (Remix)"
- "Flames"
- "Better"
- "Vibez"
- "Love Like This"
- "What I Am"
- "Alienated"
- "Back to Sleep (Remix)"
- "Cruel"
- "Freedun"
- "It's You"
- "Befour"
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