New Music: M.I.A. feat. ZAYN - 'Freedun'

After teasing their collaboration for a month, M.I.A. and Zayn Malik connect on the highly-anticipated “Freedun.”

Premiering today via BBC Radio 1, “Freedun” blends M.I.A.’s distinct musical stylings with Zayn’s pop-leaning appeal. Over airy sounds and hard-hitting drums, the duo delivers an infectious new cut.

During an interview with BBC’s Annie Mac, M.I.A. explained how the Polow Da Don-produced track came to be.

“It just kind of happened,” said the Sri Lankan star. “I sort of made this song a long time ago and it was just always sort of like too mainstream sounding for me. It just seems like it’s perfect to have that.

“If I was going to have a collaboration and have someone like ZAYN, this is sort of the perfect song,” she added. “It sort of takes me out of my comfort zone, but kind of takes him out of his as well.”

“Freedun” is set to appear on M.I.A.’s fifth and final album, AIM, due Sept. 9. See the full tracklisting for the 17-track project here and listen to “Freedun” below.