Every ZAYN Music Video: Ranked
Since leaving One Direction and embarking on his solo journey, Zayn Malik has emerged as a distinctive and dynamic artist with a sound all his own.
He’s carved out a niche in the music industry, blending his unique style with a deep sense of personal expression. Over the years, it’s become evident that Malik’s creativity isn’t just limited to his music – he also brings a strong visual element to his work, infusing his music videos with his signature flair.
From the intense, visually striking Pillowtalk to the hauntingly compelling I Don’t Wanna Live Forever, Malik has explored nearly every creative direction possible in his videos. Each project showcases his versatility, whether it’s through bold colour schemes, dramatic storytelling, or innovative concepts.
But how do these music videos stack up against each other? Let’s dive in and find out how they compare.
14. iT’s YoU
It is no secret that Zayn Malik is beautiful; however, this video’s intention is to flaunt it in our faces as much as possible. iT’s YoU,” the second single from Malik’s debut album Mind of Mine, had big shoes to fill following the success of “Pillowtalk.”
In this track, Malik shifts from the vibrant energy of “Pillowtalk” to a more understated black-and-white aesthetic. The song explores themes of failed relationships as Malik watches his love interest leave with someone else.
13. Entertainer
Entertainer is the final instalment in Malik’s crime story, concluding those told through music videos Dusk Till Dawn and Let Me. At the beginning of Entertainer, Malik is seen walking into a strip club where he finds his love interest (played by Sofia Jamora). The two spend time together, but Jamora leaves Malik forcing him to return to the strip club in search of her.
While there are no action-packed sequences and dramatic getaway car exits, this video immerses you into Malik’s world via blurry camera shots and flashing lights. However, Entertainer falls short in the trio and lacks the storyline of Dusk Till Dawn and the production of Let Me.
12. Love Like This
If there is one thing I can say about this video is that the colours are beautiful. The saturation and contrast between the red and blue make Malik truly stand out. It is not unlike any video we have seen by Malik before as it covers shots of love interests, tattoos and motorcycles. However, he sticks to what he’s good at and what he knows the fans will love!
11. Still Got Time
Malik is no stranger to featuring party scenes in music videos. In Still Got Time, he is seen smoking, drinking, and performing graffiti at a house party. While the song has no relation to the video at all, Malik incorporates humour at the end when alligators and monkeys can be spotted amongst empty drink bottles and a deflated kiddie pool.
10. Let Me
Let Me is the sequel to the criminal storyline of Dusk Till Dawn. In this video, Malik takes on a crime boss in search of a briefcase but falls in love with a girl along the way. Viewers watch as Malik fights through an action scene as his love interest ultimately saves herself. In the finale, the two jet off in a getaway boat towards the sunset.
While the story is intriguing and I love to see Malik in action scenes, like all sequels– nothing is better than the original.
9. Be FoUr
For anyone who craves to spend a day with Zayn Malik, this video is for you! Throughout different shots he is spotted boxing, talking in a cheap bar with friends, competing in pool, street racing and dancing. This video reminds me of an impulsive night out full of poor decisions and lifelong memories.
8. Vibez
Though I was originally worried about a track titled Vibez, I do enjoy the theatricality of the music video. Filmed in a vintage theatre, Malik poses as an audience member watching himself on stage as he acts out a story. As with music videos before, Malik is unafraid to take the creative route and let his strong visuals guide the story.
7. LIKE I WOULD
Malik’s first studio album was widely recognized for embracing an upbeat, club-like sound. The music video for LIKE I WOULD fit under that category perfectly. Neon, laser lights and hard-hitting dancers create high energy, dance floor visuals captivating viewers and urging them to dance along.
6. Better
Malik released Better, the highly-anticipated lead single off of the album Nobody is Listening, in 2021. This song marked a notable shift in tone with Malik’s music as well as his visual storytelling. In previous years, Malik’s music videos embraced the chaos, vibrant and dynamic visuals and bold colours. Better, however, does the exact opposite by portraying a minimalistic and muted aesthetic, enticing audiences with calm vocals and a soothing R&B melody.
5. Stardust
Coming in at number five is Zayn’s most recent single Stardust. Stardust is a chill and relaxed track that will have you wanting to frolic in the woods. The music video depicts Zayn as an ethereal being who collects fallen stars and wades in crystal, clear lakes. One of my favourite shots is when Zayn strolls further into the forest, and a swarm of enchanted butterflies follows him. It is a beautifully thought-out video and perfectly encapsulates the childlike curiosity of the song.
4. I Don’t Wanna Live Forever
And of course, how could we forget Zayn Malik and Taylor Swift’s famous collaboration? While the music video is simply the pair in distress, they look amazing doing it. The video opens with Zayn coming out of a car, paparazzi snapping away while he walks sullenly into a hotel. Swift appears in a red elevator and performs the same dramatic walk into a hotel room. It’s a simple music video; however, the star-studded duo accompany each other well!
3. PILLOWTALK
One of the most iconic music videos of Malik’s career is Pillowtalk. With over 1.2 B views, Pillowtalk’s kaleidoscopic backgrounds and abstract imagery generate an atmosphere of intense passion. The video revolves around the relationship between Malik and his former girlfriend, Gigi Hadid. The intimacy between the two beside the bold, laser beam lights illustrates the passion and love they shared. While the relationship aged poorly, we can confirm the video was life-changing at the time!
2. Dusk till Dawn
Coming in at number two is Dusk till Dawn. Dusk till Dawn, starring Zayn Malik and Jemima Kirk, is the first of three instalments that follow Malik and his crime-committing escapades. The video opens with Malik being chased by the police for something inside of a briefcase. However, it is later revealed that Kirk is the real one they are looking for. In a dramatic ending sequence, there are gunshots and a building catches on fire, but Zayn and Kirk drive away in a Jaguar unscathed!
The video has a beautiful cinematic quality and its use of dramatic lighting creates a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde. We’re obsessed.
1. Sour Diesel
Taking the well-deserved top is Sour Diesel. As a massive film fanatic, I enjoyed the production value of this music video as well as the cinematography. Malik can fulfil his childhood superhero dreams, by starring as a masked action hero who attempts to protect a precious diamond from vicious criminals.
Unlike past videos, there is not a hint of romance in Sour Diesel painting Malik’s character in a different light. He is truly the lonely, vigilante rather than the criminal heartthrob, which is why this video sticks out to me!
