Zayn Releases New Song ‘Break Free’ for Borderlands 4 Soundtrack

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Zayn is again with new music, and whereas it isn’t a part of a brand new album this time round, the singer says his newest launch is simply as private.

The British singer-songwriter has teamed up with 2K and Gearbox Software on the discharge of “Break Free,” an authentic track that Zayn recorded for “Borderlands 4,” the most recent entry within the iconic first-person online game franchise.

Due out September 19, the track was impressed by the brand new setting and “expressive action” of “Borderlands 4,” per a launch. The recreation introduces gamers to the all-new planet, Kairos, together with 4 new Vault Hunters, as they battle by way of foes and obstacles to retrieve a secret treasure. Each Vault Hunter possesses distinctive skills that “introduce even more ways to crush, bash, and destroy enemies,” the discharge notes, particularly when mixed with “literally billions of weapons.”

While Zayn has largely stayed out of the highlight when he’s not selling his personal music, the “Dusk Till Dawn” singer says he jumped on the alternative to soundtrack one in all his favourite previous instances.

“When I’m not working or with my daughter, my usual place is in front of the console, gaming with my friends back home in the UK,” he tells Variety. “I’ve played “Borderlands” earlier than, so once I was requested to collaborate on the music, it was a no brainer.”

While the sport was launched September 12 on PlayStation and Xbox (it’s due out October 3 on Nintendo Switch 2), followers should wait one other week earlier than listening to Zayn’s track, and the singer isn’t revealing a lot about “Break Free” besides that it was “fun to experiment with new sounds.”

Zayn’s final album was 2024’s well-received “Room Under the Stairs,” which was recorded at his dwelling studio in rural Pennsylvania and launched a extra cozy, stripped-down sound. But the singer says that engaged on a online game track took him out of his consolation zone, which is precisely the problem he was on the lookout for. “The cool thing about working on collaborative projects for me is the fact that it’s not always in my ball park creatively,” he shares. “I get to venture into new places sonically and emotionally as I feel like it doesn’t have to be a direct correlation to what I’m working on with my album.”

Fans might get just a little preview of “Break Free” tonight, when Zayn goes live on his Twitch channel to play just a little “Borderlands 4” and speak about his collaboration. The livestream is ready to start at 9 p.m. ET.

Zayn says gaming has supplied loads of reminiscences for him over time, courting again to when he was only a little one, rising up in Northern England. “I’ve been an avid gamer as far back as I can remember,” he says, including that, “the first console I ever had was a Super Nintendo that my parents got me for my third birthday, so that’s 29 years in the game.”

As for what he likes concerning the new “Borderlands” launch: “I love the art direction,” he provides. “It’s very vivid and expressive and feels very anime. It’s also a narrative game which feels more and more like a rarity these days.”

“Break Free” may very well be the one new music we get from Zayn this 12 months; the singer hasn’t introduced a comply with as much as “Room Under the Stairs,” and the notoriously stage-shy performer has no different public appearances scheduled for 2025 (he did full a sold-out UK and North American tour in March). While he teases that he’s “always working on new projects,” the 32-year-old seems content material for now to spend time together with his soon-to-be five-year-old daughter Khai, and perfecting his different loves: “cooking and barbecuing.”

Zayn dutifully notes that he’s “always gaming” when he finds any free time, and 2K confirms the artist “has long been a fan of the ‘Borderlands’ franchise.” As for what different leisure he consumes? “I watch a lot of cartoons,” Zayn admits. “Adult Swim is always on. I did watch the new show “MobLand” not too long ago,” he provides: “I’d definitely recommend it.”

2K and Gamebox are little doubt hoping the collaboration with Zayn will carry new followers to the fold, or have longtime followers recommending “Borderlands” to others. Calling it the “biggest ‘Borderlands’ world ever,’ “Borderlands 4” shall be launched in a Standard Edition, Deluxe Edition and Super Deluxe Edition. Zayn’s authentic track, “Break Free,” meantime, is ready to be launched subsequent week with an accompanying music video.

It’s been 15 years since Zayn burst onto the leisure scene as a part of One Direction, and whether or not he’s recording new music, parenting, or gaming, Zayn says he’s appreciative of each alternative that continues to come back his approach. And, he’s lastly studying to soak all of it in. “At this stage in life, my main prerogative is to be as present as possible in all endeavors,” he says. “Time goes fast.”