After leaving one of the world’s biggest boy bands in 2015, it is clear that Zayn is no stranger to changing directions. He isn’t afraid of taking risks in order to explore his creativity. Since departing One Direction, Zayn has released five studio albums, each of them offering different and new sounds from the English singer.
His new album, “KONNAKOL”, explores themes of relationships, intimacy, heartbreak and his own personal experiences. While also introducing South Asian percussion and vocal melodies. Konnakol directly translates to the South Indian classical art of performing percussion syllables vocally.
The album opens with the song “Nusrat”, with an enchanting rhythm of vocals that puts you in a trance. He begins to explain his mental state after meditating on someone leaving his life.
Zayn seems to be having a hard time letting go and having nostalgia over the relationship, settling somewhere in between with lyrics like “Can you choose just to lose this feeling?” He seems to be calling out to this person, wondering when the back-and-forth will end.
“Betting Folk” begins with similar experimental guitar riffs and bass kicks from his last album, “Room Under The Stairs.” “Broke my heart, didn’t make a sound” is a line that teases acceptance, that the heartbreak pushed him to look inward and question his emotions silently. “And my feet weren’t there when I hit the ground.” paints a picture of feeling unsteady of your own decisions, that the aftermath and consequences weren’t in your control.
The transition from “Betting Folk” feels like a shock to your senses. It is completely different from the first two songs, feeling like a distortion of reality. “Used to the Blues” opens with an altered voice effect on the vocals, while Zayn sings “I got used to the blues, karma gets a hall pass.”
He is critical of the idea that things get better, that evil always finds a way in. Yet he returns to a woman, being his calm, that her truth is what grounds him in these moments. “Girl, are you reading my mind?” Is this person a reflection of himself?
Throughout the album, Zayn doesn’t hit the high notes that he is known for. This feels like a complete change in aesthetics. It seems that he has leaned into this effortless style that mimics his lifestyle, owning a farm and being a father.
“Fatal” feels like a house song mixed with Zayn’s smooth vocals and South Asian style adlibs. The distorted backing vocals behind the chorus and kicks immediately makes you sway to the beat. Along with raw lyrics like “I’m helpless, I might be feeling fatal, I’m hoping that this something helps me find a way.” Something that many people have felt, infused in a song that ignites you with the desire to dance.
The percussion and vocal melodies make a comeback as an introduction to the songs once again, along with the distorted vocals. “Take Turns” has an interesting beginning however falls flat as it goes on.
The repetitiveness becomes a little overwhelming. Although there is a break towards the end of the song, it leaves you wishing it kept that pace throughout the entire song.
“Breathe,” the second-to-last song in the album incorporates the sounds of Zayn inhaling and exhaling before breaking out into song. The song feels close, listening to Zayn battle his frustration of not being the version this person wants.
Lyrics like “I’ve been running for so long, I cannot find no peace of mind” leave listeners to speculate on the hardships he has been struggling with through the years of being in the spotlight and balancing his private and public life.
The last track, “Die For Me”, feels like it belongs on the soundtrack to one of the “Fifty Shades of Grey” movies. He calls out the betrayal and anger of someone lying to him and leaving him in the hardest times.
Zayn references one of the ultimate symbols of love we’ve seen in culture on the track, singing, “[you] said you would die for me.” He gets raw and visual, telling them to rip their heart and let it bleed. He is truly over the chasing, and has denied empty words and false promises.
“KONNAKOL” is the art of vocalizing rhythm and percussion, which Zayn has perfected. He creates a space to show his growth with his emotions and for things he cannot say out loud.
It creates tensions without resolving, just simply being and realizing. It is a compelling album that feels like a letter to where Zayn is currently.
