Khalid Embraces His Fun Side on Long-Awaited New Album 'After the Sun Goes Down'
The album introduces a brighter, more adventurous sound influenced by electro-R&B and 2000s-era dance-pop for the recent Billboard cover star. He also embraces honesty about love, intimacy and identity.
Khalid in Blue Marble shirt, Bonnie & Clyde glasses.
Khalid has released his long-awaited fourth studio album, After the Sun Goes Down.
The 17-track record, out today, marks a bold new phase for the 27-year-old singer and follows last year’s Sincere.
The new album brings a brighter and more adventurous sound, mixing electro-R&B, dance-pop and early-2000s influences with Khalid’s trademark vocals. It is being described as more daring than Sincere, which leaned into moodier and more introspective R&B.
In a cover story interview with Billboard ahead of his performance at Billboard Canada THE STAGE at NXNE in June 2025, Khalid described this project as a turning point in his career.
"My new era of music feels like I’m finally ready to be the artist I’ve always dreamt of being," he said. "It goes back to the regressions of when I was a child — imagining myself and thinking, ‘I want to be this artist one day.’ Now I feel like I have the confidence to finally be that artist."
The singer also explained that the record showcases sides of him that fans may not have seen before. "Not just my moody side, but the fun side. The flirty side," he said, noting that he wanted to show more of his personality in the music.
The album is his first since coming out as gay, and themes of love, intimacy and identity run through songs like "In Plain Sight," "Momentary Lovers," "Rendezvous" and "Medicine." The album is produced by Ariana Grande-collaborator Ilya and Jason Gill among others.
Looking back on his career so far, Khalid said, "Turning 27 this year came with a lot of reflection on life. I started to look back at where I was when I was 17. To be able to be in my career for as long as I have, to still have an impact, even to see things going viral on TikTok — I feel like that version of me 10 years ago would be so proud and so happy."
With After the Sun Goes Down, Khalid steps into his most authentic era yet — one that balances mainstream appeal with personal storytelling.
Listen to the full album below.
Mumford & Sons at LASSO Festival in Montreal on August 16, 2026. Lucas Domínguez / Billboard Canada