A lot of people view One Direction as the poster boys of manufactured blandness. A boy band who, once you peel back the layers of power-rock harmonies and vague poeticisms, are really just an abyss of nothingness. It’s this particular brand of nothingness that has arguably caused them to attain such prolific, unmatched success. As writer Aimee Cliff has articulated, “Appealing to millions at once has always been about erasure; it’s about keeping back so much of your real selves that you’re idealised by teenagers and praised by their parents purely by virtue of not doing or saying anything that could be construed as an opinion.”

Of course, occasionally, their individual natures would burst through the tightly cemented cracks. Most noticeably Harry Styles, who can come across as a swaggering young Mick Jagger with a predilection for older women and a refreshing attitude towards sexuality. However, it was always Zayn Malik, the so-called “mysterious one”, that seemed to possess the most musical prowess. When a leaked video appeared in 2012 showing Malik stoned and dancing to early-00s Usher, it pointed to an appreciation for R&B that was at odds with the pop/rock anthems his band was known for. And with his silky-smooth falsetto and effortless vocal runs, it always felt like Malik hadn’t yet found his calling.

After Malik’s premature departure from One Direction, he has since begun to pursue a solo career, and his debut album, Mind of Mine, will be released on March 25th. These facts are significant in themselves. Not only is the album’s name a reference to his new-found autonomy, but the release date falls one year to the day after he left the band. Malik’s statement is clear: he’s moved on, grown up, and is embracing his creative independence. “I wasn’t 100 per cent behind the music,” Malik told The Fader, speaking about One Direction. “It wasn’t me. It was music that was already given to us, and we were told this is what is going to sell to these people… I want to make music that I think is cool shit. I don’t think that’s too much to ask for.”

So is the music that we’ve heard so far ‘cool shit’? Has the X Factor alumnus made the move from cheesy pop-idol to serious R&B star? His first single, “Pillowtalk” (below), was polarising. Personally, I found it to be incredibly catchy, like a fresh reincarnation of Nick Jonas’ unexpected gay club hit “Jealous”. But the track hardly points to a total reinvention, does it? After Frank Ocean’s producer Malay described the singer as “pure genius”, most of us had come to expect something similar to Ocean himself; perhaps a sound that utilised Malik’s influences, which he described as “a lot of R&B, a lot of R Kelly, a lot of Usher, a lot of Donell Jones, a lot of Prince… a lot of bop, a lot of reggae, Gregory Isaacs and weird artists like Yellowman.” It seems that we were expecting Miguel, and instead we got something closer to One Direction, but with the word ‘fucking’ and less rock-style riffs.

Still, the concept of ‘cheesiness’ is hardly what it used to be. In an era of faintly ironic Justin Bieber appreciation coupled with a revival of late-90s/early-00s R&B icons in all their slickly choreographed greatness, staunch music snobbery can feel passé. So what if Malik sounds a little cheesy? If he sounds this good one year after leaving One Direction, how good will he sound five years later?

Furthermore, Malik feels infinitely more interesting on his own than he did in a band, and his vocal talents are undeniable. In an acoustic version of “PillowTalk”, which emerged a few days after the original, his shimmering high notes are truly astonishing, and his effortlessness points to a potential that hasn’t even fully reached its peak.

And then, last night, he appeared on Jimmy Fallon to perform his new single “It’s You”. Backed by neo-soul band The Roots, the track displayed a notable difference to his debut pop banger, instead revealing a creation that was sultry and spacious, allowing Malik to truly showcase his ice-clear, pitch perfect vocal ability. Needless to say, it’s a track that points to the singer occupying a darker, more serious space than his previous music might have us believe. It was a moment that will undoubtedly affirm his position as a solo artist that needs to be taken seriously.

It’s also worth noting that Malik has found himself in an incredibly unique position. As a result of One Direction’s earth-shattering levels of mega-fame, Malik’s debut track shot to number one in 68 countries, including the US (a feat which, ironically, had always evaded One Direction). It’s not hyperbolic to say that, essentially, Malik cannot fail. To a large degree, whatever he makes at this point will be embraced with open arms, which is an enviable position to be in for any musician. He has been given a chance to truly shake up the mainstream because he’s launched his solo career with a ready-made audience. He has found that creative freedom that he always longed for, so it would be brilliant to see him use it.

So, has Malik’s reinvention been successful so far? The fact that we’re discussing it at all means yes, probably. Unlike a few of the other 1D band members, there’s something extra about Malik that piques people’s interest, and it’s not just because his face looks like it was carved by angels. At a time when alternative R&B is peaking via the likes of The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, Kehlani and Kelela, the time feels ripe for Malik to step forward and create something worth listening to.