Does Zayn Malik Have A Solo Album Coming Out?

I know, I KNOW! I, too, am wondering when the One Direction madness will end. When will the Twitter feuds and crying boy band members cease? When? WHEN. Well, considering the fact that Naughty Boy released a single with Zayn Malik on vocals late Monday night, it doesn't seem like all will be right in the One Direction universe anytime soon. The track, "I Won't Mind," came out just days after Malik announced that he would be leaving the band and it doesn't exactly sit well with fans nor with the remaining members of 1D. Nevertheless, this single is a pretty clear indication that Malik is working on a solo project. When all of the dust finally settles, there will still be millions of devoted 1D fans to follow Malik into his solo career. So when is Zayn Malik's solo album actually coming out?

Probably sooner rather than later. Considering "I Won't Mind" was dropped so soon after Malik's departure from One Direction, it could mean he's been developing solo projects well before leaving the band — which could've been the reason behind his decision to leave. Malik is a featured artist on Naughty Boy's own solo album, but the collaboration certainly shows how Malik is trying to stand out on his own.

Though the production quality of "I Won't Mind" is quite bare bones, it displays an incredibly different style. You'd be more likely to find it playing at a coffee shop than a high school prom. Maybe Malik really is going for the artist vibe. We'll have to wait and see if he starts rocking beanies and toting an acoustic guitar around town. Until then, here are some guesses as to when an album might come out:

Early 2016

We'll call this the "Justin Timberlake Effect." *NSYNC "went on hiatus" in 2002 after releasing their final album, Celebrity, in 2001. Timberlake then released Justified in November 2002, and the world forgot his ramen curls and boy band days ever existed. If the same goes for Malik, we can expect an album around Christmas or the New Year.

Summer 2015

Malik is reportedly already signed to Simon Cowell's label Syco Music. If we've learned anything from the American Idol and X-Factor music man, it's that he strikes while the iron is hot.

One Year and One Week From Now

Sam Smith was featured on Naughty Boy's single "La La La," and it was released on May 19, 2013. Then, on May 26, 2014, Sam Smith released his breakthrough album In the Lonely Hour, which was also a collaboration project with Naughty Boy. Ergo, Zayn Malik's solo album will be released one year and one week from the release of "I Won't Mind."

Listen to the song again below, because it could very well be a sign of things to come.

Image: Getty Images