Zayn Malik has officially ushered in a brand-new era. On February 4, 2026, the former One Direction star announced his fifth studio album, Konnakol, confirming both its title and release date—and sending fans into instant celebration mode.
The album is set to arrive on April 17 via Mercury Records/Island Records UK and is now available for pre-order. Adding to the excitement, Zayn revealed that the project’s lead single, Die For Me, will be released this Friday, February 6, marking his first new solo music drop of the year.
The announcement follows weeks of quiet speculation, especially after Malik debuted several unreleased tracks during his recent Las Vegas performances. Fans attending the shows were treated to early listens of Die For Me, along with four additional previously unheard songs titled Nusrat, Used To The Blues, Fatal, and Take Turns. The surprise performances sparked immediate online buzz, with many suspecting a larger project was on the way.
Speaking about Konnakol, Zayn described the album as deeply personal and rooted in identity. “It’s that time again. I have been lucky enough to make a fifth studio album,” he said in a statement quoted by Billboard. He explained that the term “konnakol” refers to the ancient art of creating rhythmic percussion using the human voice—but for him, the meaning goes much further.
“It is a sound that holds the reverberation of a time before words existed,” he said. “I have always drawn on my heritage for inspiration since I first started making my own music. This album is a development of that understanding—knowing more now than ever who I am, where I come from, and where I intend to go.”
That connection to heritage is also reflected visually. Zayn revealed that the album artwork features a snow leopard, a powerful and spiritual symbol across South Asia. The image had previously appeared during his Las Vegas gigs, prompting fans to speculate it was an Easter egg teasing new music—a theory that has now been confirmed.
Konnakol follows a steady evolution in Malik’s solo career. His debut album, Mind of Mine, launched at No. 1 in both the US and UK in 2016, followed by Icarus Falls (2018), Nobody Is Listening (2021), and Room Under The Stairs (2024).
The announcement also comes amid renewed momentum for One Direction alumni. Harry Styles is gearing up for the release of his fourth album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, on March 6, while Louis Tomlinson recently topped the UK charts with How Did I Get Here?
With Konnakol, Zayn Malik isn’t just releasing new music—he’s telling a deeper story, and fans are ready to listen.
