With his debut album, American Teen, landing him in the Billboard 200's top 10 at just 19 years old, what caught my attention was how he sounds a bit like Frank Ocean, Lana Del Rey and Bastille. Not necessarily hitting the same vocal bars but he sure is calm about his spectacular delivery. I listened to his album at least four times in a row and even when it ended i was like one more.
Kylie Jenner surprised him when she featured “Location” on her snaps. Which turned out is actually really good, not only “Location” but his entire album. With sounds of 80's pop mixed with a bit of R&B splashed with a bit of country vocals the mesh creates an elegant sound which is pleasing to the ears. Standout tracks such as "Location" and "Shot Down" are sure to make you an instant fan. The album talks about the typical stuff without having to look for a political message, the exploitation of women or drugs but it is about young love, being a teen and sure to hit you in the feels at some point. Which to me means long days studying, nail polish and no meal-planning.
Where he is now
Khalid kept building on that debut with Free Spirit (2019), his first Billboard 200 No. 1, and Sincere (2024), before releasing After the Sun Goes Down in October 2025, his first album since publicly coming out as gay. He's described the record as being about "taking my power back, living in my truth, and being able to express myself freely."
