Forget everything you thought you knew about genre-breaking collaborations. The announcement that BLACKPINK’s JISOO and former One Direction member Zayn Malik were releasing a duet, “Eyes Closed,” was met with initial disbelief, quickly followed by fervent anticipation.
Now that it is here, the track does not just meet expectations. It sidesteps them entirely, offering something far more intimate and musically interesting.
The backstory alone feels like something out of a pop fan’s dream. The seeds were planted when Zayn, alongside his daughter Khai, was spotted at BLACKPINK’s Deadline World Tour in New York this past July.
That casual outing clearly sparked a creative fire. When Zayn later teased a “cool collaborator” on a live stream, the rumor mill, for once, was right.
So, what does this powerhouse pairing actually sound like? “Eyes Closed” is a brilliant showcase of subtle chemistry.
This is not a bombastic pop anthem but a sleek, R&B-infused conversation. JISOO’s vocals, crystal-clear and more confident in her English delivery than ever, open the track with a vulnerable warmth.
Then Zayn’s unmistakable tenor slides in, not to compete, but to complete the thought. Their voices do not just take turns.
They intertwine, creating harmonies that feel organic and earned, a credit to vocal producer Mischke Butler.
The production, spearheaded by The Monsters & Strangerz, is smart enough to get out of their way. It creates a minimalist backdrop that puts the focus squarely on the vocals, built around a warm, unexpected country chord progression that gives the track its soulful, timeless feel.
This foundation of warm acoustic tones and a subtle synth pulse provides the perfect space for both artists to shine.
The accompanying music video leans into a sleek, “Passengers”-esque aesthetic, framing the duo as isolated travelers in a retro-futuristic spaceship.
While the Google Gemini product placement feels a bit on-the-nose, the visual successfully highlights the song’s core: the palpable chemistry between two artists sharing a confined, introspective space.
The video’s impact is undeniable, amassing over 2.2 million views on YouTube within just four hours of its release.
What truly sets “Eyes Closed” apart is its billing as a true joint effort, not a mere feature. Both names share equal weight on the credits, and both artists are present throughout the entire track and video. This is a collaboration of mutual respect, not convenience.
Since its release, the numbers have spoken, with millions of views and streams. But the fan reactions are even more telling.
The conversation has quickly moved from “I cannot believe this exists” to dissecting the nuanced vocal layers and the relatable theme of vulnerable love.
“Eyes Closed” works because JISOO and Zayn are both artists who have successfully carved out identities beyond their iconic groups. They did not need to do this song, which is precisely why it feels so essential.
It is the sound of two stars, secure in their own lanes, deciding to meet in the middle for a moment of stunning, quiet beauty.