Zayn Malik's New Single Proves Leaving 1D The Right Decision? Video With Gigi Hadid Becomes A Hit

Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid may have yet to officially talk about their relationship but the music video of the singer's new single "Pillowtalk" showed some racy moments between the rumored couple.

Malik's music video was only released via Youtube on Jan. 29 and it already garnered 18 million views in just three days. The venture is his first after leaving One Direction last year.

The single's music video, which is part of Zayn Malik's upcoming studio album "Mind of Mine" scheduled for release on March 25, heavily featured Gigi Hadid. It also boasts of retro graphics, as well as kaleidoscopic and shattered-mirror effects.

These elements were not yet previously seen in Zayn Malik's past music videos with 1D.

Lyrically, critics think "Pillowtalk" is more mature than any of his One Direction pieces.

Spin's Brenna Carley said Zayn Malik's new single is one explanation why it is right for him to leave the boy band.

"Malik demonstrates a mastery on modern R&B within seconds," Spin wrote.

"There's passion in his voice, an instrument unencumbered and unshaven for the first time, really; glossy production courtesy of MYKL and Levi Lennox; and mature lyricism that doesn't ever fall into the dangerous post-child star."

Another critic compared Malik to Justin Timberlake.

"The final result is more Justin Timberlake than Robbie Williams," Digital Spy said.

"There's a sophistication that will keep young fans listening, while pulling in a new, more style-conscious audience. And that's on both sides of the Atlantic, and everywhere else in between."

Zayn Malik started working on solo album after he left One Direction last year. His last performance with the boy band was in March 18 last year.

He said the reason why he left the band is creative differences.

"There was never any room for me to experiment creatively in the band," he said in an interview with Fader.

"I wasn't 100% behind the music. It wasn't me."