ZAYN has signed a new record deal with Mercury Records, Billboard can confirm. Along with the news, the singer wiped his social media yesterday and has launched a new pre-save link and teaser in preparation for his Mercury Records debut single, which is said by the label to be arriving “very soon this summer.”
A former member of One Direction and a chart-topper in his own right, ZAYN was previously signed to RCA Records. Sources close to the singer told Billboard that the new music ZAYN is making marks a major departure from the sound that defined his previous hits like “Pillowtalk” and “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever.”
Label president Tyler Arnold says of the deal, “As soon as ZAYN and I met, I knew we had to work together. I was blown away by the new music, but just as impressed by his vision, drive and spirit. We’re honored he and his team have joined us at Mercury Records. We’ve got an incredible opportunity to tell the next chapter of his story together.”
Mercury Records relaunched in April 2022 as a U.S. imprint of Republic Records, helmed by Arnold and GM Ben Adelson. Mercury’s roster includes Post Malone, whom Arnold signed to Republic in 2015, and James Bay, signed by Adelson in 2014. Other signees at Mercury’s launch included Stephen Sanchez, Chelsea Cutler, Jeremy Zucker, Lord Huron, Noah Kahan, BoyWithUke, Ka$hdami, Lyn Lapid and Camylio.
Mercury Records also acts as the hub for Republic’s partnerships with Big Loud Records, home to Morgan Wallen, and Imperial Music, the independent distributor that released Bo Burnham‘s Inside (The Songs).
As a solo artist, ZAYN has released three records: Mind of Mine (2016), Icarus Falls (2018) and Nobody Is Listening (2021). They peaked at No. 1, No. 61 and No. 44 on the Billboard 200, respectively. He has also placed six songs in the top 50 on the Pop Airplay chart, including two in the top 10. “Pillowtalk” peaked at No. 1, and “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” reached No. 2. Those two songs also reached those same positions on the Billboard Hot 100.
You can pre-save ZAYN’s upcoming single here. See his teaser below:
