featuring @zayn
Multi-platinum artist, songwriter, producer, and philanthropist ZAYN has released his highly-anticipated fifth studio album, KONNAKOL, via Mercury Records. KONNAKOL stands out as ZAYN’s most culturally rich project to date. While he has consistently incorporated South Asian vocal and rhythmic traditions into his music, this album brings those influences into sharper focus. Building on the sound introduced in his debut Mind of Mine, the album is a vibrant, pop-forward exploration of his heritage. Co-produced by ZAYN and Malay (known for work with Frank Ocean and Lorde), who previously collaborated on Mind of Mine and Icarus Falls, the record showcases deep cultural inspiration. The album cover features a snow leopard, a powerful symbol in South Asia, symbolizing the profound connection between his roots and this project.
Comprising 15 tracks, KONNAKOL is led by singles “Die For Me” and “Sideways,” a atmospheric pop-R&B tune highlighted by ZAYN’s signature falsetto. The opening track, “Nusrat,” pays homage to Pakistani musician Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and serves as the creative cornerstone of the album, setting the tone for its vocal experimentation and sonic exploration. The latest single, “Side Effects,” offers sleek, radio-ready pop-R&B blending warm synths with ZAYN’s falsetto as he delves into themes of love and devotion. Tracks like “Fatal” bring energetic dance vibes with buoyant basslines for live performances, while “Breathe” provides a softer, atmospheric moment of reflection.
In support of the album, ZAYN will make his first late-night TV appearances, performing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on April 21 and appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show on April 23. He also graced the cover of ELLE India during album release week, highlighting the global cultural influences woven into KONNAKOL.
ZAYN will embark on his largest solo tour to date, The KONNAKOL Tour, beginning May 12, 2026, in Manchester, UK. The tour will visit major cities worldwide, including London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, São Paulo, and more, concluding on November 20 in Miami, FL at the Kaseya Center. Earlier this year, ZAYN wrapped his first-ever Las Vegas residency, debuting and teasing unreleased material from the album. Critics praised his performance, with Variety noting his “pristine vocals, signature falsetto, and a noticeably stronger stage presence.”
The album follows the critically acclaimed Room Under the Stairs (2024), and his first solo tour across the U.S., UK, and Mexico. Recently, ZAYN collaborated with BLACKPINK’s Jisoo on “Eyes Closed,” which received a 2026 iHeartRadio Music Award nomination and made significant global impact — debuting at #10 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, #72 on the US Hot 100, and topping iTunes charts in over 40 countries.
KONNAKOL Tracklisting:
Nusrat
Betting Folk
Used to the Blues
Sideways
5th Element
Prayers
Side Effects
Met Tonight
Fatal
Take Turns
Blooming
Like I Have You
Loving The Way I Do
Breathe
Die For Me
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