Liam Payne drops his new song, admits he isn’t necessarily a fan of Harry Styles’ music

Completing the cycle of former One Direction stars going solo, Liam Payne has shared his debut single, and it’s a sexy R&B-tinged track.

Liam, who just welcomed his son Bear into the world, has been teasing the track on Instagram with a rather steamy clips, and it’s safe to say that fans have been getting a bit hot under the collar (us included).

The track, which features Migos member Quavo, is a departure from the classic rock sound of One Direction, and is also quite different from former bandmate Zayn Malik’s alt-R&B. Instead, Liam is opting for a Top 40, club-ready sound.

Listen to “Strip That Down” below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13CdKgFiiXQ?feature=oembed

The song was co-written by Ed Sheeran and veteran producer Steve Mac, and even features a slight dig at the singer’s former band.

"You know I used to be in 1D, now I'm free," he sings over a DJ Mustard-style beat.

Speaking about his decision to not sign a record deal with his former mentor, Simon Cowell, Liam said that he wanted a departure from what he was known for.

“I really wanted to get away from everything that I did,” he told The Sun. “If you want to be fresh, you’ve got to start fresh. It was never any offense to Simon [not signing with him], and I’m so grateful for the career that he’s gifted me really from [The X Factor].”

In fact, Liam has even distanced himself from his former bandmates. Speaking to Music Choice, the singer was asked about what he made of a certain Mr. Harry Styles’ solo material.

“Harry’s song I heard, and I’ll be honest with you, it’s not my sort of music,” Liam admitted. “It’s not something I’d listen to, but I think he did a great job of doing what he wanted to do. That’s the way I’d put it best, I think.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN4ooNx77u0?feature=oembed

Continuing, he added, “I think the funny thing is, he’d say the same thing about me because he doesn’t really listen to hip-hop music. My song is more ‘Rack City’ and his song is more of a different era, I think.” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nNbjGvsJg4?feature=oembed

Liam Payne’s debut single “Strip That Down” is available now.