Stardust (Zayn song)

Last updated

"Stardust"
Single by Zayn
from the album Room Under the Stairs
Released17 May 2024 (2024-05-17)
Genre Folk-pop
Length3:52
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Zayn singles chronology
"Alienated"
(2024)		"Stardust"
(2024)
Music video
"Stardust" on YouTube

"Stardust" is a song by English singer-songwriter Zayn. It was released on 17 May 2024 through Mercury and Republic Records as the third single from his fourth studio album, Room Under the Stairs , along with the release of the album. [1] A folk-pop song that was released alongside the official music video, it was written by Gian Stone, James Ghaleb, Sean Douglas, Casey Smith, with the former two producing it alongside Dave Cobb. [2]

Contents

Background

Zayn described the track as "the love on the album." He also added, "stardust is about the idea of love and the feeling that love gives you." [3] He released a teaser to the track via social media on 7 May 2024, before it was released as the album's third single. [4] Zayn included the song in his Stairway to the Sky Tour concert setlist as a tribute to his friend and ex bandmate Liam Payne. [5]

Composition and lyrics

The "introspective" song is "set to soft-sounding synths, snare drums and acoustic guitars" that shows Zayn sees himself as a "hopeless romantic". [6] Described as "a cheesy ode to falling head over heels", he sings on the chorus: "Feels like stardust / Floatin' all around us / Shootin' right across the big black sky". [7] felt that the song "is easily the highlight" of the album "and one that will lend itself perfectly to concert sing-a-longs, in time for the first live shows of his solo career" even though "the lyrics of the chorus could feel cliche", but it works because "there is such a dreamlike quality that it hardly matters". [8]

Critical reception

"Stardust" was met with positive reviews from music critics. Jason Lipshutz of Billboard ranked the song as the best track from Room Under the Stairs stating, "Zayn operates in a different sound than he's used to, but relies on his well-worn vocal warmth and previous iterations of fluttery romance. 'Stardust' benefits from a sense of tempo and nicely crafted hooks, but Zayn provides the song with a personality, and turns it into a career highlight." [9] Steffanee Wang of Nylon praised Zayn's falsetto on the track. [10] Bee Delores of Countrypolitan remarked, "His voice has never sounded so sweet, as he oscillates from a whisper to his upper register. In between, he caresses the lyrics and lets you feel every syllable fall from the sky." [11] Larisha Paul of Rolling Stone said the song, "evokes the same breezy feeling — though it channels a flower field more than a beach." [12]

Music video

The music video for "Stardust" premiered on 17 May 2024. [13] Directed by Frank and Ivanna Borin, the video finds Zayn as a celestial being trapped on Earth and is guided by falling stars as he explores a "magic-tinged lake" and a forest. [1]

Charts

Chart performance for "Stardust"
Chart (2024)Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [14] 15
UK Asian Music (OCC) [15] 1
UK British Asian Chart (OCC) [16] 1
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs ( Billboard ) [17] 34

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References

  1. 1 2 Zemler, Emily (17 May 2024). "Zayn Reaches for the Heavens in 'Stardust' Music Video". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 21 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  2. ↑ Kaplan, Ilana (17 May 2024). "Zayn Malik Shares Ethereal Video for 'Stardust' amid Release of New Album Room Under the Stairs — Watch!". People . Archived from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  3. ↑ "About 'Stardust'". Spotify . Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  4. ↑ "Zayn Malik teases new banger 'Stardust' from 'Room Under the Stairs' album". The News International . 9 May 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  5. ↑ Mitchell Peters (1 December 2024). "Zayn Malik Honors Liam Payne in Late One Direction Singer's Hometown: 'I Hope You're Seeing This'". Billboard . Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  6. ↑ Garner, Shannon (17 May 2024). "Zayn – Room Under the Stairs". Clash . Archived from the original on 17 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  7. ↑ Platt, Poppie (17 May 2024). "Zayn Malik finally finds his calling in country – plus the week's best albums". The Daily Telegraph . Archived from the original on 16 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  8. ↑ Simon-Bashall, Sophia (17 May 2024). "Zayn matures on Room Under the Stairs". The Line of Best Fit . Archived from the original on 17 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  9. ↑ Jason Lipshutz (20 May 2024). "Zayn's 'Room Under the Stairs': All 15 Songs Ranked". Billboard . Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  10. ↑ Steffanee Wang (20 May 2024). "Zayn's Country Serenade & 9 Other New Songs Out This Week". Nylon . Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  11. ↑ Bee Delores (23 May 2024). "Zayn pulls on love's heartstrings with 'Stardust' (Review)". Countrypolitan. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  12. ↑ Larisha Paul (17 May 2024). "Zayn Delivers His Own MTV Unplugged Set on 'Room Under the Stairs'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  13. ↑ "Zayn has released both his new album, and a video for 'Stardust'". Dork . 17 May 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  14. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 27 May 2024. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  15. ↑ "Official Asian Music Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  16. ↑ "Official British Asian Chart". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  17. ↑ "Zayn Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
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