After the Sun Goes Down - Album Review

Coming just over a year after the release of his third studio album, “Sincere,” Khalid Robinson (known as Khalid) has released another LP titled “After the Sun Goes Down.”

“After the sun goes down” (stylized in all lowercase) comes in the wake of Khalid being publicly outed by a previous partner, spotlighting his private life in a way he’s historically conservative about sharing.

Khalid has described this album as his most honest to date — and it shows. It’s a project of liberation, vulnerability and taking leaps.

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

Taking inspiration from artists like Rihanna, Britney Spears and Janet Jackson, Khalid invokes the sound of early 2000s R&B and pop in a way that feels undeniably queer.

The album was preceded by two singles: “In Plain Sight” and “Out of Body,” along with music videos for each track.

The lead single, “In Plain Sight,” captures the album’s essence rather well. The upbeat track feels like a confrontation as he grapples with the deceit of a former lover and the aftermath. The music video places him in a glass box — a metaphor for his coming out experience.

“Impulsive” and “Out of Body” continue the narrative as Khalid explores lust and love, sometimes against his better judgment. As a singer who historically shared his feelings over somber beats that feel glaringly personal, this album takes the artist’s pain in a direction that still leaves you dancing.

On “Out of Body,” a track reminiscent of Britney’s “I’m a Slave 4 U,” the singer talks about the allure of a lover and the desperation of blind lust:
Stay right there, don't you leave yet (Stay right there) / All my secrets, wanna share it all for you (Right there) / Way too gone off the deep end (I'm way too gone) / No, I can't swim, but I still fall for you.

Despite exploring new horizons, the album occasionally settles into familiarity in tracks like “Whenever You’re Gone.” Khalid’s falsetto, reminiscent of his earlier work, jumps into an infectious chorus that encourages head bobbing while capturing feelings of yearning and heartbreak.

Khalid balances the weight of vulnerability with tracks like “Tank Top” and “Instant,” demonstrating his capacity as an artist. He gives and takes, offering reprieve when the subject becomes too hard-hitting.

With tracks like “Angel Boy” and “Hurt People,” Khalid makes sure not to leave his older fans behind in this era. “Hurt People” is the most exposing track of the album, detailing the singer’s struggles with losing his father at a young age and rebuilding.

The track also features background vocals from his mother, Linda Wolfe — a heartwarming detail as her son speaks of their shared loss with a now-adult perspective.

“after the sun goes down” is reminiscent of foundational artists in R&B and radio pop, yet it’s not dated or desperate for nostalgia. In finding himself and letting the public in on his quest for authenticity, Khalid forges a new path that is both inspired and uniquely his.

Rating: 9/10
Favorite: “In Plain Sight” and “Rendezvous”
Least favorite: “Please Don’t Call (333)”

Caelli Johnson is a fourth-year majoring in psychology. To contact her, email dcj5249@psu.edu.