Multi-platinum selling global superstar Khalid has announced his highly anticipated new album, After The Sun Goes Down, set for release on October 10th via Right Hand Music Group/RCA Records, a project that ushers in a bold new chapter for the artist by exploring profound themes of love, self-discovery, openness, and a refreshed sense of freedom. To mark the announcement, Khalid has simultaneously released an upbeat and infectious new song titled “In Plain Sight,” accompanied by a visually arresting and symbolically meaningful music video directed by the acclaimed 91 Rules, known for their work with Camila Cabello and Jon Bellion, which artistically celebrates Khalid’s significant personal and artistic evolution as he poetically embarks into the night. In a statement about this pivotal moment, Khalid says, “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,” signaling a deeply authentic and liberated phase of his celebrated career.
This new album cycle builds upon the monumental success Khalid has achieved since he first took the world by storm right before his high school graduation with his RIAA-certified diamond debut single “Location,” a hit that led to his major label deal and his certified 4x platinum debut album, American Teen. His trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric; his sophomore album, 2019’s Free Spirit, was declared a New York Times “Critic’s Pick,” called “superb” by the Associated Press, certified 2x platinum, and debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 on the strength of the GRAMMY-nominated multi-format #1 single “Talk,” solidifying his status as a “pop prodigy” according to Rolling Stone. With over 35 billion global streams across all partners, seven GRAMMY nominations, and a trophy case that includes six Billboard Music Awards, four American Music Awards, two iHeartRadio Music Awards, and an MTV Video Music Award, Khalid’s influence is undeniable, further honored at the 71st Annual BMI Pop Awards with the prestigious Champion Award.
His collaborations read like a who’s who of music’s biggest stars, featuring on the #1 singles “Love Lies” with Normani and “Eastside” with Halsey and Benny Blanco, alongside celebrated features with icons like Alicia Keys, Billie Eilish, and Ed Sheeran. In 2020, he was named the youngest artist to surpass 15 billion streams on Spotify alone and was crowned BMI’s Pop Songwriter of the Year, followed by the release of his Scenic Drive tape in 2021 as a companion piece to his 2018 EP Sun City. His 2022 summer hit “Numb” with Marshmello marked their second collaboration following the 6x platinum smash “SILENCE” in 2017. More recently, Khalid was featured on the official soundtrack for Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie, joined Ed Sheeran on select North American dates of his “+ – = ÷ x Tour,” and released his 2024 third album Sincere, which showcased his continued evolution by exploring the all-too-relatable feelings of growing up, all of which sets the stage for the next sunset with After The Sun Goes Down. The new album is available for pre-save now, with “In Plain Sight” out on all platforms.
The Pop Blog general news and updates, mostly from press releases and conferences.