Khalid has returned with his fourth studio album, and it’s a shame pop fans are missing out. after the sun goes down, released October 10, 2025, is a pop with R&B elements that takes a dramatic turn from his previous works.
The 17-track album discusses topics of freedom, romance, and discovery, and could potentially push Khalid into a new sector of musical peers.
Below, I will explore how after the sun goes down works as a record, how it situates Khalid in relation to other queer pop artists, its strengths and shortcomings, and what its impact might be.
History
Khalid first rose to fame after his debut single “Location,” a song he initially released on Soundcloud while he was still in high school and later released commercially under RCA Records in 2016. Since then, Khalid experienced a steady rise in popularity, collaborating with artists such as Billie Eilish, Normani, Ed Sheeran, and more. However, the incline stalled after the release of his previous album, Sincere, in 2024. Unlike most of his previous works, Sincere did not chart, and the critical reception said that while the album was beautiful, it also lacked memorability. Now, Khalid has taken a bold shift, as after the sun goes down is much brighter and more playful than its predecessor.
The album follows after he was publicly outed by his ex in November of 2024, but it’s clear this new direction comes from feeling more at home in his skin. The album is reminiscent of other popular queer male artists, but Khalid is still able to place his own spin on the ‘queer pop’ genre.
What works
Part of the appeal of this album is that, at its core, it’s a fun album. Fans are immediately drawn in by the prominent bass and hooks that make you want to dance. The lead single on the album, “in plain sight,” tells you immediately what kind of stories this album will be sharing. The upbeat song talks about how Khalid should have seen his partner’s infidelity, as it was hidden in plain sight. Coupled with a sexy music video, it was clear that right out of the gate, Khalid was coming out swinging.
Another standout is the opening track, “medicine.” The song has heavy 90s R&B influences. As well as a sensual down beat. Khalid shows the type of energy he is trying to bring to this new era. The song is about how a partner’s love and affection are a form of medicine. “I don’t do any narcotics /Lovesick from breathing your toxins.” Khalid is explicit in how this person has him feeling things he hasn’t felt before. Fans are already requesting a music video for the song, many claiming it to be their favorite track. It definitely is a great song to open this album with.
Despite the upbeat, euphoric vibe many songs of this album give, Khalid doesn’t abandon his vulnerable roots. The penultimate song on the album, “hurt people,” is an emotional discussion on how Khalid has experienced pain before. “Oh, I’ve known hurt before, hurt before/And I know hurt people hurt people.” Taking a break from discussions of romance, Khalid is contemplating his experience with grief.
Need for improvement
There are a lot of tracks on the album that feel like fillers. And many times, I found myself growing bored or tuning out a song in my first few listens. There are songs that don’t stand out amongst the rest. They feel like Khalid is trying to play it safe. That he is giving a generic pop song that he knows his audience would like.
Khalid can push further, and it’s hard to critique an album that comes at a vulnerable time for an artist, but when following an emotional album such as Sincere, which explored Khalid’s roots, there’s still space to open up.
Where Khalid fits amongst other queer pop artists
Khalid has created new peers for himself, such as Troye Sivan and Lil Nas X. Even Sam Smith, who also took a shift from emotional ballads to high-energy dance pop.
Many fans believe that some songs after the sun goes down could be featured on a Troye Sivan album, as they echo similar sensual, flirtatious energy. It’s important to note that Khalid isn’t impersonating these artists or trying to recreate their aesthetics, but rather, he is creating a new lane for himself. He shares a similar ethos of wanting to take space in the pop genre.
With a musical foundation in R&B, while also being raised in the south, this album and this genre shift are a form of self-expression and reclaiming a voice he may have smothered in the past. The intersectionality of being black and queer is littered throughout this work, hidden between the danceable melodies. The album is layered and brings a valuable voice to the queer pop landscape.
Final thoughts
The album isn’t perfect, but it is a turning point in Khalid’s career. From the start of his musical journey at such a young age to growing and developing his sound, this album is explicitly about identity.
Khalid may have joined the queer pop conversation later than other artists, but that doesn’t mean he lacks a voice. He offers a distinct perspective as someone who has their own experiences in the world. A voice shaped by R&B, shaped by heartbreak, and shaped by longing. Now he’s fully unafraid to say who he is, and who he loves.
Representation is important. This album offers visibility. It broadens what mainstream queerness sounds and looks like. Khalid, allowing himself to come back from being outed to making an album that embraces his authenticity, gives him the grounds to make this album impactful.
If after the sun goes down is any indication of what Khalid’s future as an artist is, he is not just entering into the queer pop music scene amongst his new peers. Instead, he is expanding what the genre could be.
