After seemingly cutting all ties with former collaborator Naughty Boy, Zayn Malik has returned to the studio with a new producer at the helm of his highly-anticipated solo music.

The former One Directioner is reportedly working with two-time Grammy winner Malay, who’s worked with R&B luminaries like Alicia Keys and John Legend. He was also responsible for much of Frank Ocean’s esteemed 2012 album Channel Orange.

Malay all but confirmed the collaboration when he posted a sweet pic of his daughter and Zayn on Instagram, calling the 22-year-old “an amazing soul.”

The producer also retweeted a blurry, cryptic pic Zayn tweeted inside a recording studio, further fueling collaboration rumors.

And in even more ama-Zayn news, he’s reportedly launching his solo career under brand new management. Z has parted ways with Modest! Management — the longtime home to One Direction and their mates 5 Seconds of Summer — and has penned a deal with Turn First Artists, which boasts A-list clientele including Ellie Goulding and Rita Ora. Zayn will reportedly be managed by Sarah Stennett, who also oversees Iggy Azalea’s career.

One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is Zayn’s record label — he’s still currently signed to Simon Cowell’s Syco Music, and is expected to release his new music under that imprint.

Hopefully all these big moves mean Zayn’s first solo material is well underway. We’ve already gotten tiny tastes of what to expect with his acoustic demo track “I Won’t Mind” and a leaked cover of Rae Sremmund’s “No Type,” but it’ll be nice to hear him flexing his solo strength in an official, finished capacity. We’re waiting, Z!