Zayn Malik Hooks Up With a Stripper in “Entertainer” Music Video Shows His Softer Side — Which Is Apparently Not His Best

The chart-topper unveiled new single “Entertainer” on Apple Music’s Beats 1 radio just a short time ago with well-known host Zane Lowe, and the song is simple and sweet, and musically it’s a gentle touch, even if every lyric can’t be described the same way. Zayn doesn’t stretch his vocals like he has on other tracks that have made an impact, and the production is fairly low-key, and perhaps even a bit sleepy after a while. “Entertainer” starts off with promise and a nice sound, but it doesn’t really go anywhere, and there’s nothing to be gained by the third minute that isn’t delivered in the first. Zayn’s latest feels like it would be better-suited as al album track, as it doesn’t pack enough of a punch to stand alone as a single.

The song is the latest release from his forthcoming, as-yet-untitled second album, following on from ‘Dusk Till Dawn’, featuring Sia, and ‘Let Me’.

The video sees a newly-blonde Zayn playing a scorned lover, reflecting on his broken relationship while visiting his ex in a strip club.

Zayn released his first solo album Mind of Mine in March 2016. The album debuted at number one on both the UK and US album charts.

For the past few months, Zayn’s been teasing the follow-up but he’s been careful not to give away too many details.

But speaking on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 show last month, Zayn did reveal that the record was finished and ready for release.

“I’m trying to keep it as mysterious as possible but there’s a plan with the rollout,” Zayn said.

“It’s going to be different to I think anything anyone has done before, I don’t think has done it this way,” he continued.

“So it’s going to be interesting to see how the audience react to this kind of release but I wanted to try something different. And I think it’s all going to make sense in the end when the album finally drops.”

Much like ‘Let Me’, ‘Entertainer’ also features an appearance from Breaking Bad’s Steve Bauer and model Sofia Jamora, as Zayn’s love interest.

“Entertainer” came as something of a surprise, as Zayn just dropped a proper new single about a month ago, complete with a high-budget video. The sultry and ultra-catchy “Let Me” seemed poised to become another certified hit for the former One Direction singer, but sadly, it didn’t quite catch on as both he and his team had hoped (“Let Me” peaked at No. 73 on the Hot 100 in the U.S.), and that likely explains why new music has arrived so quickly.

That performance is in stark contrast to the lead single from Mind of Mine, “Pillowtalk,” which debuted at No. 1. There’s still time for Zayn to land a hit before he drops an album, and a few of the tracks he’s pushed recently have risen the ranks on charts in other countries, but thus far, this era has been hard for the beloved and talented pop artist in the U.S.