His former bandmates have pipped him to the post by releasing singles, but Harry Styles is set to make a bigger impression with his debut album, if rumours are to be believed.

Instead of going down the pop route, reports suggest that the sometime actor and teen hearthrob's debut record sounds like 'Bowie and Queen', according to industry website HITS Daily Double.

They say: "In marked contrast to One Direction's production by committee, Styles has crafted a set that recalls the regal high-water mark of '70s British rock, Bowie and Queen in particular.

"The lead single, which could come out as soon as late April or early May, sounds like it would be a smash in any decade."

The album has allegedly been produced by Jeff Bhasker, who has worked with everyone from Kanye West and Jay Z to Mark Ronson to Lana Del Rey, The Rolling Stones and Adam Lambert, and Styles has co-written with Snow Patrol's Johnny McDaid on some tracks.

Looks like we won't have much longer to wait to hear the results...