After a year of waiting, Zayn released his highly anticipated solo debut album, Mind of Mine. Ironically, the album was released on the same day Zayn left his former boy band, One Direction, last year on March 25 to become a “normal 22 year-old.” Later that year he was signed to RCA Records which lead many fans to feel betrayed and confused.

Stakes were incredibly high for Mind of Mine, with Zayn leaving One Direction, the most successful boy band since *NSYNC. Many critics viewed him as the new Justin Timberlake yet many criticized that he does not have enough charisma as his former bandmate, Harry Styles, to be a successful solo artist.

Mind of Mine is primarily an R&B album but it also includes experimental influences from different genres, including pop, funk, and even reggae. It’s also the first album in history to go #1 in more than 70 different countries.

The lead single “PILLOWTALK” debuted at number one in many international charts including the UK Singles Charts and the US Billboard Hot 100. The single has gone Gold in the UK and has sold 761,000 copies in the U.S.

Throughout the album, Zayn showcases his smooth & slick vocals that many male singers in the industry lack. Zayn proves is vocal range well with songs such as the retro-ballad “Fool For You” and the excitable “Like I Would.”

Newcomer, Kehlani gives a standout moment as the only feature on Mind of Mine on the track “wRoNg.”

“sHe” is my personal favorite due to its colorful flavor of R&B that refreshingly delivered. The song transitions into “dRuNk,” a mid-tempo masterpiece that makes Zayn’s vocals astounding and addictive.

Zayn has proved himself to be another great R&B artists by finding his sound on his debut album which many artists are not able to do and delivering his sweet falsetto in almost every track. Mind of Mine trumps the expectations of Zayn not being able to hold his own as a solo artist. Watch out Bieber, Zayn is here to stay.