Zayn Malik has said he’s “buzzing” that fans still care about him in 2026 as he prepares to release his fifth solo album, Konnakol, due on 17 April. The former One Direction member shared his thoughts during a recent appearance on Billboard’s Call Her Daddy podcast, reflecting on his solo journey more than a decade after leaving the band in 2015.
“The fact that people still give a shit”
Speaking candidly on the podcast, Zayn admitted he never expected to reach a fifth album as a solo artist.
“Honestly, the fact that people still give a shit.
Five solo albums now — I was just buzzing that I got to do the first one after [leaving] the band, [and] people seemed to care.
I’m really proud of the progression and just the development and understanding of myself through my music.”
Konnakol details and release date
Konnakol will feature 15 tracks and arrives on 17 April 2026. Following the announcement, Zayn released the lead single Die for Me, giving fans the first official taste of the project.
The singer has described the album as his most culturally inspired work to date. Raised in a Muslim household and of Pakistani heritage, Zayn said he hopes listeners gain a deeper insight into his background through the record.
He previously explained that Konnakol refers to “the act of creating percussive sounds with one’s voice”, with the album drawing influence from South Indian Carnatic music alongside pop and R’n’B.
New music previewed during Las Vegas residency
Fans got an early glimpse of the new era last month during Zayn’s Las Vegas residency. According to Variety, one unreleased track carried a “soft energy” and leaned heavily into the R’n’B sound that shaped his 2016 debut Mind of Mine.
One of the most talked-about moments came when Zayn performed She live for the first time, a deep cut from Mind of Mine that had never previously been played on stage.
Across the shows, he also debuted upcoming tracks Used to the Blues and Fatal, with the latter featuring Urdu lyrics in a clear nod to his South Asian heritage. His new single Die for Me was also performed during the set.
Konnakol arena tour confirmed
Alongside the album announcement, Zayn confirmed a Konnakol arena tour spanning 31 dates across the UK, North America and South America. Full tour dates and ticket details are expected to follow.
