Did Harry Styles Mirror Zayn Malik's Past Remarks About 'One Direction' While Talking About New Album?

Harry Styles seemed to be channeling his former “One Direction” band mate, Zayn Malik, during an interview with USA Today, prior to the release of his debut solo album on Friday.

Styles spoke on what he thought his new album — called "Harry Styles" — represented, especially for younger listeners and the life lessons he hopes they take away from it. Contrary to the constant pressure that the youth of today is put under of trying to make minimal mistakes, Styles made it clear he is not a proponent of that view.

“I think making mistakes and learning from them is a much better example to set for people,” Styles told USA Today. “And if I want someone to listen to the album and take away anything from it, it’s that if you’re trying to do something that you love, you should be yourself, and be honest with it, and not try and hide and allow yourself to be vulnerable.”

The second half of his comment mirrored sentiments that Malik had displayed after his controversial departure from the highly popular boy band, One Direction. When asked about his decision to leave the band, Malik talked about finally being able to “break-free.”

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“I didn’t feel good [when I was in One Direction]. Do you know what I mean? And if you don’t feel good… you need to be able to express what it is that you are. I’m free at last,” Malik told Dazed.

However, while Styles’ comments were made on a positive note, meant to inspire the youth of the country, Malik’s remarks were directed as more of a criticism towards One Direction.

Even Styles’ description of “Harry Styles,” his new eponymous album, reminds one of the explanation Malik had given for his own first solo album, “Pillowtalk.”

The theme of Styles’ new album revolves around him trying to prove to the world that he can compose something just as mesmerizing without the help of his band mates, USA Today reported.

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Malik, as reported by NME, said about “Pillowtalk”: “It was something I felt was in me for a long time. It was exactly what I wanted to say.”

In Malik’s official farewell statement, as mentioned in a Facebook post by One Direction, dated March 25, 2015, he appeared to be appreciative of the five years he spent with the band, and for the things he got to learn during the time. But his reasoning for his decision changed soon after.

He initially maintained the lack of privacy and time to spend with his loved ones was the real reason behind his departure. However, he later went on to mention he did not really plan on being a part of One Direction in the first place, Billboard reported.

He also emphasized the fact that he could not really express himself in terms of his music during the time that he was with the band, the Billboard report said. Unable to contribute the kind of input that he really wanted, Malik made the decision to fly solo, where he would have the freedom to create the kind of music he truly believed in.

The first track of his new album, "Sign Of The Times," released by Styles, instantaneously went viral on YouTube. His album is currently ruling the U.S. iTunes sales chart.