5 February 2016
Well, here we are now: the first One Direction solo single and chart-topper, and it’s not by Harry. With hindsight, even with 1D mania and the sensation of Zayn’s departure the stakes here were quite low; all his first freelance track has to be is better than the solo debuts by Robbie and Ronan and, yes, even Brian McFadden.
Turns out that ‘Pillowtalk’ reaches back even further into post-group solo pop star lore to be Zayn’s ‘I Want Your Sex’. So, we get “mature” content about “fucking and fighting”, spicy showbiz context regarding Zayn’s previous celebrity squeeze, and a saucy video starring the new office-holder. In fairness to Zayn, he’s a strong presence at the centre of this. All ‘Pillowtalk’ is missing, really, is a tune. Instead, it’s a mixed grill of random bits and bobs, served up in glossy beats and squeaks, but without a standout hook. Maybe the sauce and the spice and the Zayn is all there is to it. Snooze.
