Zayn Malik goes solo: Former One Direction star and Naughty Boy launch new single I Won't Mind

Zayn Malik sure doesn't hang around.

Just days after Malik announced his shock departure from One Direction, music producer Naughty Boy has unveiled what appears to be the 22-year-old star's first single as a solo artist.

The La La La hitmaker, who has worked with the likes of Sam Smith, Emeli Sande and Rudimental, unveiled a demo of I Won't Mind on Soundcloud on 30 March, along with the message: "Let the music do the talking. There is nothing but love for what was left behind. thats why we don't mind. ;) #2016 #zaughty #zindabad" [Sic]

The stripped back ballad features the lines: "We messed around until we found/the one thing we said we could never ever live without/I'm not allowed to talk about it/But I gotta tell you" and "I won't mind/You know I know you know you/You'll never be mine".

Malik's swift return to music has divided fans. While many admitted that they loved his new material, others suggested he should remain part of a group, with some even questioning his loyalty.

@zaynmalik released a demo and I'm SCREAMING! This song is just so soothing to the soul ❤️ god I love it!
— Tinä Bær ⊬ (@cuddlybaer11) March 31, 2015

Zayn leaves band to have a 'Normal life'.... Solo song demo gets released a week later ..... pic.twitter.com/rOYHOn4002
— Marcelle Anne (@Marcelle_Crist) March 31, 2015

#Zayn talks about not wanting to let the fans down, y didn't he just say, he's going solo? We'd be prepared!
— EllieB || 12Dayss!! (@EllieBishop_) March 31, 2015

The heartthrob's former bandmate Louis Tomlinson did not appreciate Naughty Boy's timing, accusing him of trying to upset the fans in a series of tweets.

Bradford-born Malik quit the British boyband on 25 March, claiming that he wants to feel like a "normal 22-year-old" and had grown tired of 1D's fame.

In his departing statement, he said: "I'd like to apologise to the fans if I've let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight."

It looks like Naughty Boy, whose real name is Shahid Khan, may have known that the writing was on the wall for months.

Earlier in March, Naughty Boy ignited rumours that Malik would leave the boyband after confirming the singer would feature on his upcoming album.

"I can't deny the fact that we have made music together," the La La La hitmaker told The Sun. "Zayn is going to feature on my next album. "We're making music and having fun. This is just like a side gig and I don't think there's anything wrong with it."

"Let the music do the talking guys," Naughty Boy wrote. "Thank us later."