But “Mind of Mine” will not reveal any deep dark secrets fans of Zayn won’t already know.

As fans, we are curious to gain any insight on Zayn’s ever-illustrious romantic and social presence. On first listen, it’s difficult to not think about his past relationships or current girlfriend, Gigi Hadid. From the first single “PILLOWTALK” to the standout “TiO,” Zayn’s lyrics explore sexuality beyond One Direction’s sugary-sweet teen romances. There is obviously one thing on his mind throughout each of the album’s 18 tracks: sex. Propelled by faithful 1Ders, the album is already a commercial success, but what does it reveal about his personality, career, and talent? “Mind of Mine,” Zayn’s first solo album released on Friday, serves as the first response to these fan theories. Of course, this is only my own decolonizing fantasy of a mainstream pop star. After a career of singing backup vocals to four white boys, it was as if millennial desis and Muslims were collectively welcoming Zayn back home. In the months following, he shaved his iconic hair, diversified his friend group, and even hung out with Shah Rukh Khan. Although the terms of his exit may have burned some bridges, I beamed at the thought of a young brown kid trying to make it on his own. It wasn’t until Zayn left the boy band in 2015 that I began to pay attention to the singer in his own right. Yet, as a Pakistani-American, I cheered Zayn Malik from the sidelines like he was my distant, slightly alternative cousin: wary of his choices, skeptical of his cliqué, but hopeful he’ll end up alright. I’ll admit, I am not the biggest One Direction fan.

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