By Rosalia Jimenez
2024 was an eventful year for many artists releasing albums. Sabrina Carpenter released her album “Short and Sweet,” Beyoncé released her first country album, “Cowboy Carter” and Hozier released an album composed of four previously recorded songs that did not make the final cut for his last album. English singer-songwriter and previous member of One Direction Zayn Malik also released his fourth studio album titled “ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS,” which is the album released this year that caught my attention most.
The 15-track album, released in May, is his first release since 2021 and is, by far, his most personal one. It is to be noted that several tracks on the album contain explicit words, even if they are spoken softly. Each track is made of lyrics describing his journey through his life.
The vocals in the album are extraordinary when paired with the personal lyrics. Malik showcases his powerful range, hitting high notes that raise goosebumps on my arms and low notes that are incredibly smooth. The riffs he performs throughout the album are phenomenal. In every album he sang on, from “Up All Night” with his One Direction bandmates to “ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS,” this artist has displayed his vocal power in incredible ways.
Along with the vocals, the production of each track is brilliant. The album has a soulful feel to it, which is very different from his previous albums. The instrumental backups in each track highlight the range of Malik’s voice and give the desired feel that the lyrics portray. Of the many albums released in 2024, “ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS” is, in my opinion, the best one.
If someone were to ask me which artist was the best of 2024, my answer would be Malik. With the release of his newest album came his first tour in nearly a decade, making 2024 an extremely eventful year for this artist.
After “ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS” was released, Malik set the dates for a tour for winter. However, some of his tour dates were postponed in response to the tragedy involving his former bandmate, Liam Payne. What makes Malik an incredible artist is the fact that he is continuing with the tour, even after everything that’s happened.
Not only is he incredible for continuing his tour, but he is such a great artist for the way he sings. Even though he has aged since his last album, his voice sounds incredibly similar, if not the same, as it did years ago. I find his ability to be vulnerable in his music while maintaining an upbeat vibe amazing. To me, he is truly the artist that deserves the title “Best Artist of 2024.”
Naturally, I believe that Malik’s album holds the best song of the year. “Stardust” is the greatest song I have heard this year. It is the seventh track on “ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS” and is so different from the rest of the album. The production of the song is the most upbeat in the album with a folk vibe to it. The instrumental in the track has a muffled tint to it making it feel softer in a way. On top of the production, Malik’s vocals make the record feel like how I imagine being in a sunkissed field feels. The lyrics of the song are soft and describe how it feels to be happy and in love. It is, by far, his most beautiful song, and I fully believe it is the best song I have heard in 2024.
This year was Malik’s year for music. He holds my heart with his vocals, music, and lyrical talent. This album is a 10/10 in my book, and I highly recommend listening to “ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS.”
