Zayn Malik Announces New Album 'Room Under the Stairs,' Shares Cover Artwork and Release Date

The forthcoming album, set to introduce a new sound for Malik, marks his first album since 'Nobody Is Listening' in 2021

A new era is underway for Zayn Malik.

On Wednesday, the "Pillowtalk" singer, 31, announced his upcoming fourth studio album Room Under the Stairs on Instagram and revealed its illustrated cover artwork that features a silhouette of his face and a blueprint of a house being built.

Set for a May 17 release through Mercury Records, the album will mark Malik's first with the label, which is also home to artists including Noah Kahan, Post Malone and Lily Rose.

Related: Is Zayn Malik Teasing a Country Album? Nashville Producer Details His New Sound: 'No Fear'

The One Direction alum will introduce fans to the album with its first single "What I Am," set to drop on Friday, March 15.

Last week, Malik teased the project with a short video on Instagram. "I think the intention behind this album fully is for the listener to get more insight on me personally as a human being," he said in the clip.

“My ambitions, my fears… and for them to have a connection with that," the "Dusk Till Dawn" performer added. "And that's why it's so raw, you know?"

Related: Zayn Malik Teases 'Raw' New Album: 'There's Just Me Writing This'

"There's just me writing this. I didn't want anyone else to be in between me and the music, and the music and the people listening to it," he concluded.

At the end of the video, Malik crooned in what appeared to be a new song snippet, "If I told you I loved you, would you say that it's f---ed up?"

Last month, Rolling Stone reported that his upcoming album is co-produced by Dave Cobb, known for his work across the country and rock genres with artists like Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile and Lady Gaga.

Related: Zayn Malik Celebrates 'Amazing' Daughter Khai's Third Birthday: 'Couldn't Live Without You'

The outlet stated that Malik spent many years writing the album alone at his Pennsylvania home and then contacted the Grammy-winning producer.

“What got me about Zayn was his voice, you can hear love, loss, pain, triumph and humanity in it. I feel as if this record is removing the glass from his spirit directly to his fans,” Cobb told Rolling Stone. “Zayn has really created his own universe on this record, he really has no fear and is speaking straight from his soul.”

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During an interview on Call Her Daddy last year, Malik said, "I'm doing a record I don’t think people are really gonna expect. It’s a different sound for me."

At the time, he continued, "And it’s got some more narrative going on, like real-life experiences and stuff. My daughter’s mentioned in there a couple of times."

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