Zayn Malik has been speaking about going solo after leaving One Direction in his most candid interview yet. Sitting down with Dazed magazine, the 23-year-old explained what he wants to achieve now as a solo artist, after breaking free from the boyband.

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“I’m just trying to do more and more,” Zayn explained. “I’m excited to get more involved in every way that I can. Whether it’s producing or the creative for my stage direction, I just want to get down to every detail.”

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“That’s my progression, learning my craft as a solo artist. I’m kind of itching a little bit. I want to work. I’ve learned over four or five years that it’s good to work because you’re earning, not spending.”

“I know that musicians are seen as one-sided people a lot of the time. But we do have other elements to us as well.” Looking back on his time in One Direction he added: “I didn’t feel good…You need to be able to express what it is that you are. I’m free at last.”

Despite his fame Zayn admitted that he ‘doesn’t go out much’. “I stick to my own bubble, as it is. Creatively and socially, I think, as I’m getting older, that’s just the way I am.” he said. But still, he has had an encounter with Taylor Swift, who let him know she’s a fan.

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“I don’t get much feedback from my peers. I spoke a bit to Taylor,” he revealed. “At Gigi’s house we briefly spoke and she told me she really enjoyed the album. It was nice to get some feedback. She said she thought I was cool and I kind of blushed a bit and didn’t know how to take it.”