One Direction Releases First Single Post Zayn Malik's Exit

London: British band One Direction has released their first new single, titled Drag me down, since the departure of singer Zayn Malik, earlier this year.

Liam Payne tweeted the good news, offering fans a link to the song on iTunes, and writing:
 

Bit of a surprise ! Check out our new single! It's called Drag Me Down & I hope you love it as much as we do https://t.co/HPJn2Kij5M

— Liam (@Real_Liam_Payne) July 31, 2015

It's the first new song the group has released since the departure of Zayn Malik in March.

Louis Tomlinson also tweeted:
 

Thank you for all your constant support. Hopefully you love it , we're proud of it :)

— Louis Tomlinson (@Louis_Tomlinson) July 31, 2015

The release of Drag me down comes in the same week that Zayn Malik signed new management and recording deals, kicking off his solo career in earnest, and is perhaps stealing the spotlight away from him more than a little bit.