One Direction releases first single without Zayn Malik

MANILA, Philippines – One Direction released their single, “Drag Me Down” on July 31 – their first tune without Zayn Malik, who left the group last March.

Bandmember Liam Payne called it a “bit of a surprise” when he tweeted the link to the iTunes download. The band did not announce that they would release a song prior to Liam’s tweet. 

Bit of a surprise ! Check out our new single! It’s called Drag Me Down & I hope you love it as much as we do https://t.co/HPJn2Kij5M

— Liam (@Real_Liam_Payne) July 31, 2015

The boys also told fans what they thought of the new single through their official Twitter account.

HEY GUYS! So, #DragMeDown dropped earlier! Check out what the guys had to say about it. https://t.co/Z2E32BMjn1

— One Direction (@onedirection) July 31, 2015

 

This is their first new song without Zayn, who recently signed with RCA records to take on a solo career. 

Listen to “Drag Me Down” on Spotify.

Recently, Twitter was all abuzz after Zayn tweeted about why he left the band, using the hashtag #realmusic.

I guess I never explained why I left , it was for this moment to be given the opportunity to show you who i really am! #realmusic #RCA !!

— zayn (@zaynmalik) July 29, 2015

 

He later appeared to clarify that hashtag, retweeting this message from a fan:

You are stupid. Real music meaning real to him. Real because he has written and recorded it solely to what he likes.Real to himself like lol

— cerise (@zaynhealy) July 29, 2015

 

UPDATE: Zayn congratulates One Direction on their ’sick’ new single

Proud of my boys the new single is sick. Big love. 🙂 x

— zayn (@zaynmalik) August 1, 2015

 

With new music from a Zayn-less 1D and more to come from Zayn himself, looks like the boys are doing just fine on their separate paths. 

What do you think of One Direction’s new sound without Zayn? Tell us in the comments below! – Rappler.com

More One Direction on Rappler here:

One Direction in Manila:

Day 2

• Highlights: Day 2, One Direction in Manila concert

Day 1

• IN PHOTOS: One Direction in Manila concert, day 1
• Watch clips from One Direction live in Manila, day 1

Arrival

• One Direction arrives in Manila

Zayn Malik:

• PH fans react to news that Zayn Malik won’t come to Manila
• Zayn Malik of One Direction will not perform in Manila concert

Other news:

• One Direction pays ‘marijuana bond’ to Philippines – govt
• One Direction concert organizers must pay cash bond for 1D to perform
• Two members of One Direction caught smoking on video
• One Direction to perform in Manila in 2015