Music Review Saturday: Khalid - after the sun goes down

Khalid’s most recent 2025 album, after the sun goes down, was a treat to listen to. While I must admit that my previous familiarity with Khalid’s discography was limited, I found my doubts instantly set at ease by the soothing, sparkling opening notes of “medicine,” followed by a pleasant beat and Khalid’s flowing, bouncing vocals. And the album doesn’t let up, keeping all these elements strong and constant through each track.  

Above all, though, the lyrical content stood out the most strongly to me. The songs are vulnerable, honest, confessional, touching on his familial trauma, his drug use, and, most pertinently, his sexuality. after the sun goes down is Khalid’s first album released since he was outed as gay in November 2024, and his songs don’t shy away from his struggles and joys finding men in his life, even (nay, especially) the narrator’s own flaws and insecurities that make love complicated and thorny. From the mourning of fleeting youthful flings in “momentary lovers,” the possessiveness and neediness in “angel boy,” to the heartfelt earnestness of “whenever you’re gone,” and the euphoric love-at-first sight story in “instant,” Khalid paints a picture of his love and sexuality that is raw and messy and exposed, yet undeniably beautiful. Even the final track “hurt people,” is both an uncertain note for the album’s romance to end on, but also paints a vivid picture of exposing the worst and ugliest parts of oneself to a lover, in hopes that maybe, just maybe, they’ll stay through the hurt you’ve endured and inflicted. 

In Khalid’s own words, after the sun goes down “is about taking my power back, living in my truth, and being able to express myself freely.” And I found that this album speaks to that experience beautifully. After having his sexuality exposed against his will, Khalid has truly turned around and made something honest and authentic, taking his secrets and doubts and turning them into something truly beautiful.