The music media has raved about Harry Styles' trajectory post-One Direction, but progressively diminished Zayn Malik's – regrettable. For his solo entrance, Mind Of Mine, Malik linked up with Frank Ocean's cohort Malay to create avant 'n' B, elevated by his pliable vocals. Malik's maximalist double-album, Icarus Falls, was even more revelatory, exploratory and expansive. The singles alone ranged from the sensuous '80s soul jam Let Me to the funk-rock Sour Diesel to the Nicki Minaj-amplified EDM banger No Candle No Light. The set's apex? The cosmic bass ballad Flight Of The Stars, which Malik recorded with the little-known Saltwives.
OG Flavas has chosen Icarus Falls as one of its Cult Urban Albums Of The Decade—R&B, soul and hip hop albums that have largely been erased, neglected or obscured - 12/27 x
