ZAYN, Nobody is Listening | Album Review 💿

Following an unsuccessful sophomore album, ZAYN reminds us why he is ‘worth listening to’ on his third album, Nobody is Listening. 

2018 was not a good year for 🎙 ZAYN.  The gifted, former 1D standout released his sophomore album, 💿 Icarus Falls, and it bombed something awful. After topping the charts with his debut in 2016 (💿 Mind of Mine), he definitely ‘took an L’ on respectable but overly long Icarus Falls.  Perhaps that’s why his third studio album, 💿 Nobody is Listening is only a fraction of the length of Icarus Falls – 35 minutes versus 95 minutes.  Furthermore, Nobody is Listening is tighter and much easier to digest.  While he doesn’t reinvent the pop/R&B wheel, he definitely reminds us why he’s such a special artist.

“Calamity”

The electric piano of 🎵 “Calamity” commences Nobody is Listening enigmatically and certainly unexpectedly.  ZAYN only sings the chorus, which appears after one long, quasi-rapped/spoken word verse.  Notably, his accent is quite strong and distinct, which is a selling point considering it adds more character.  While this jazzy hip-hop/pop joint is a bit off-putting, it definitely garners the listener’s attention.  Likely, the soulful, exclusively sung ✅ 🎵 “Better” will sit better with traditionalists. As always, he sings beautifully, as he encourages fighting to save love.  “Better” is well-produced (🎛 Philip von Boch Scully), while the chorus marks one of its biggest selling points:

“Why? Why wait to fight?
Give it a try
Or I'll say goodbye while it's right
Can we save tears in your eyes?
I'm watching you cry
Why wait to hate, can we save love?”

“So, leave my shit outside / Leave all of my shit outside / Leave my life outside / Oh-oh-oh, or let me in.” The falsetto on the chorus of ✅ 🎵 “Outside” alone is reason enough to listen to the record.  No, ZAYN doesn’t only focus on his ‘head voice’ (he sings his mid-register on the verses), but the overall execution is superb.  Thematically, once again, he seems to focus on reconciliation, hence why he urges her to let him in (he doesn’t really want her to “leave his shit outside”).

“Vibez” 

“Mind runnin’ wild, we touchin’ slow / Just say the word, I’m ready to go…” ✅ 🎵 “Vibez” indeed, is a vibe. Contributing to the success of this urban-pop record is production courtesy of 🎛 Scribz Riley and 🎛 Rogét Chahayed.  Running just 2:43, that’s plenty of time for ZAYN to woo us with his smooth, sexy vocals.  Although sensual, he keeps the love and sex tasteful.  While he serves up nothing game changing, ultimately, “Vibez” is an enjoyable, pleasant, well-rounded pop record – a surefire standout from Nobody is Listening.

With 🎵 “When Love’s Around,” the audience is treated to one of only two collaborations on Nobody is Listening.  ZAYN is joined by 🎙 Syd for his cool, sexy, modern R&B record.  Syd ‘takes first blood,’ blessing us with her chill, warm vocals on the first verse and chorus.  The ‘man of the hour’ shines on the second verse, collaborating with Syd on the following chorus, and delivering the bridge himself.  They dynamic duo rejoin forces on the outro, highlighting the titular lyric.  Things remain love-oriented and sexy to the nth degree on 🎵 “Connexion.”  Once again, the falsetto alone is a draw – ripe AF. Furthermore, artist brings ample passion and authenticity, even as he sings about what’s going down in the bedroom.

“Sweat” 

“Oh, drippin’ down your body like gold / Slowly steamin’ up the windows.” Damn, that’s sexy! That’s definitely the intent on ✅ 🎵 “Sweat,” which is steamy enough to make any and everybody sweat.  What’s cool about this particular record is how it incorporates funky cues from the 80s while also sounding perfectly at home in 2021.  The vocals continue to be ZAYN’s calling card, but he also doesn’t do too shabby in the personality department.

ZAYN goes on to assert he’s 🎵 “Unfuckwitable,” a record that naturally draws attention for its use of the f-bomb.  It’s more than some strong profanity though.  The production (🎛 Symphony and 🎛 Red Buttonz) hearkens back to the R&B of old, particularly with the soulful guitars and the robust bass line.  Still, we all know the artists of old would never characterize themselves as “unfuckwitable.” His swagger and confidence, hence, are very much a product of the 2020s.  That bold, risqué, and unapologetic side remains in play on 🎵 “Windowsill,” where there’s no shortage of “fucking,” literally. He opens up by “Fuckin’ on the countertop, window to the floor,” definitely raising eyebrows and making it crystal clear how things ‘go down.’ The chorus is not only profane, but quite catchy:

“Cigarettes and fuckin’ on the windowsill
In my bed, yeh, tell me when you’re getting’ here
Only thing I wanna know
Is how far away you are.”

Serving up a change of pace, UK rapper 🎙 Devlin supports the electrifying experience, asserting at the end of the third verse, “I’m sure she’d tempt Satan if she ain’t the devil herself.”

“Tightrope” 

🎵 “Tightrope” appears as he penultimate cut on the 35-minute album.  It’s in line with much of Nobody is Listening, which deals with the trying aspects of love.  Here, ZAYN is dedicated to his significant others, understanding there’s the possibility things could go awry, but feels like its unlikely.  A prime example: “Baby, I’m ready, any minute we might fall / Lately, I feel like my grip is gone / But you got my arm.” He closes things out beautifully with 🎵 “River Road,” a record that lacks percussion, but not emotion and a passionate delivery.  Here, he’s accompanied by guitar, which outlines a pretty sweet harmonic scheme.  Perhaps some may characterize it as indulgent but personally, I’d call it a very intimate, personal moment.

Final Thoughts 💭 

All in all, Nobody is Listening is an enjoyable and respectable third studio album by ZAYN.  He doesn’t reinvent the wheel or totally change up his formula, but, I definitely think this album is better packaged and presented than his previous one.  Does it feel complete? Eh, maybe not entirely, but again, 35 minutes is much more accessible than 95, and there are definitely some winning, worthwhile moments. 

✅ Gems 💎: “Better,” “Outside,” “Vibez” & “Sweat,”

🎙 ZAYN • 💿 Nobody is Listening • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 1.15.21

[📷: RCA]