The moody scene matched the chill vibe of the song, which is a laid-back bluesy rock track about feeling alone and “saying goodbye to the past.”

Zayn performs on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Episode 1978, Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Photo: Todd Owyoung/NBC

Zayn is no stranger to The Tonight Show. Back in March, the “Pillowtalk” singer surprised Jimmy Fallon, interrupting the Host during his monologue to announce his new album without saying a word.

“Jimmy, look to your right for my album,” Fallon said, reading the note the singer handed him before he walked offstage. “‘My new single, ‘What I Am,’ is out this Friday off my upcoming album Room Under the Stairs, available May 17th. Hope you’ll check it out.'”

Zayn performs on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Episode 1978, Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Photo: Todd Owyoung/NBC

Zayn Malik tells Kelly Clarkson about the inspiration for his single, “Alienated”

On May 7, Zayn stopped The Kelly Clarkson Show to talk about his latest album, and after flashing the lyrics to “Alienated” onscreen, Kelly Clarkson told Zayn, “I think a lot of people are going to relate to that, the song in general.”

“This record kind of started with that song. I was in a place where I was feeling a bit alienated, and that just summed up exactly how I was feeling at that time,” revealed Zayn.

Zayn performs on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Episode 1978, Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Photo: Todd Owyoung/NBC

“I think it’s important for every person in life to look back at things with a different lens and see things with a fresh perspective,” he continued. “That was the reason for saying, ‘Leave it all with a laugh.’ Because I think… whether it’s positive, whether it’s negative, you can always shape it in your own mind to whatever you want to make it and that is the sentiment behind that lyric.”