One Direction may have just recently lost Zayn Malik, but the group is still determined to continue on with their scheduled tours and planned fifth studio album. While there is still no confirmed release date for the new material, it is expected to be launched by fall.
The band has not yet made any announcements on when they would be hitting the recording studios to work on new songs, but their schedule shows they have a two-month break from their on-going world tour. They will continue with the European leg by June.
According to Daily Star, the band is aiming for a theme and tone different from their previous work, and they are seeking the aid of other musicians to complete the album. Ed Shereen, The Cribs, All Time Low, and Fall Out Boy are just some of the contributors mentioned. It is possible that the band would make use of their tour break in order to organize recording schedules with all of the other musicians.
"They were due to start recording their fifth album next month and that hasn't changed," a source told Daily Star. "Now they are all 21 they see it as opportunity to make a more mature musical statement."
As stated by Billboard, the new album will focus entirely on the band as a four-piece as Malik has left to "to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight." He did announce via Twitter last March 19 that he would be taking a hiatus due to stress, arguably due to the band's schedule and on-going tours. Malik will be working on a new album that would launch his solo career.
One Direction still owes Sony two albums, but recent Twitter posts indicate that the fifth album may be the band's last.
