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Khalid Welcomes His New Era With First Taste of Upcoming Album ‘After The Sun Goes Down’

“This chapter is about taking my power back, living in my truth, and being able to express myself freely,” the singer shared of the album, first teased in a Billboard cover story and interview with Billboard Canada.

Khalid photographed by Joelle Grace Taylor on April 28, 2025 at Hype Studios in Los Angeles. Styling by Aaron Cristmon and Marquise Miller. Grooming by Jenn Hanching. Manicure by Jessica Dresser. Tailoring by Karina Cardona. Blue Marble hoodie and shirt, Yordy rings, Bonnie & Clyde glasses.
Khalid photographed by Joelle Grace Taylor on April 28, 2025 at Hype Studios in Los Angeles. Styling by Aaron Cristmon and Marquise Miller. Grooming by Jenn Hanching. Manicure by Jessica Dresser. Tailoring by Karina Cardona. Blue Marble hoodie and shirt, Yordy rings, Bonnie & Clyde glasses.

Khalid is back.

The American R&B-pop singer — and Billboard cover star – announced the release of his new album, After The Sun Goes Down, on October 10.


Set to explore themes of love, self-discovery, openness and a refreshed sense of freedom, the album ushers in a bold new chapter for Khalid. It’s the follow-up to 2024’s Sincere.

“This chapter is about taking my power back, living in my truth, and being able to express myself freely,” Khalid said in a press release. “I’m excited for my fans to experience this new era with me, not just musically, but personally.”

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Along with the album announcement was the release of lead single “In Plain Sight.” The upbeat, infectious track is a departure from the more downtempo sounds of Sincere.

The single is accompanied by a music video from director 91 Rules (Camila Cabello, Jon Bellion) — it’s a total party as the video celebrates the current phase of the Billboard-charting artist's career.

Khalid teased his new sound during a conversation with Billboard Canada in June. It's his first album since coming out as gay, and he's ready to embrace a new side of himself: “Not just my moody side, but the fun side,” he said. “The flirty side.”

“My new era of music feels like I’m finally ready to be the artist I’ve always dreamt of being,” he continued. “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.”

Earlier this year, Khalid performed to a jam-packed crowd at Toronto’s Sankofa Square at Billboard Canada's The Stage at NXNE 2025.

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Val Blavatnik
Courtesy WMG

Val Blavatnik

Business News

Val Blavatnik to Oversee Warner Music Canada in New Role at Warner Music Group

Blavatnik will oversee Warner Music Canada as managing director of Warner Music North America, U.K. and Corporate Development at WMG. As part of a slew of executive announcements, Simon Robson will be leaving the company, while Alejandro Duque takes the top international role.

Val Blavatnik, the 28-year-old son of Warner Music Group majority owner and vice chairman Len Blavatnik, has been named managing director of Warner Music North America, U.K. and Corporate Development at the Warner Music Group, the company announced Friday (Sept. 25). In his new role the younger Blavatnik, who has held several roles at the company in recent years, and has been a board member since 2023, expects to “unify and drive business and operational strategy across these markets while guiding the company’s investment strategy to support growth,” according to a press release.

The Blavatnik announcement is part of a flurry of new executive announcements that CEO Robert Kyncl made this morning. In addition, Atlantic Music Group chairman/CEO Elliot Grainge will take on ADA in the U.S. as its new chairman, while Alejandro Duque, who has held the dual roles of president of Warner Latin and president of ADA since last July, has been named president of Warner Music International, adding Asia-Pacific and Europe, the Middle East and Africa under his oversight. (Duque will continue to oversee ADA outside the U.S.) Zach Friedman, currently COO at Atlantic Music Group, will add the title of vice chair of ADA U.S. to his resume.

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