Khalid’s Living His Truth On “after the sun goes down”
- Cherrelle Johnson
- Jan 18
- 13 min read
Khalid’s never been afraid to express his feelings in his music. His fourth album, after the sun goes down, is no exception. It’s honest and stays true to who he is.
A few months after Khalid released his album, Sincere, in 2024, he was outed by someone he had been in a relationship with. Many don’t know how to deal with that, but Khalid proudly admitted to being gay. While he could’ve laid low, he took to writing and creating after the sun goes down.
The album was released on October 10, 2025, and consists of seventeen songs. It’s a mixture of R&B, house, and pop, and covers a range of topics such as heartbreak, love, and grief. The album’s artwork showcases a snapshot of the album’s vibe: Khalid in a club surrounded by a sea of people, free and in his element.
Tracklist:
medicine
in plain sight
nah
impulsive
out of body
please don’t call (333)
tank top
whenever you’re gone
dumbstruck
rendezvous
true
instant
momentary lovers
yes no maybe
angel boy
hurt people
nobody (make me feel)
“Oh, both of us in this room What is a man supposed to do When your lips all over me? Medicine, medicine”
Have you ever had someone in your life who makes you feel like they're your remedy? Khalid has. His fourth album starts on a high note with the mesmerizing song “medicine.“ The song delves into the themes of longing, temptation, and physical intimacy. “medicine“ describes Khalid finding his partner and everything about him intoxicating. He sees him as more than someone he’s with.
He sings, “I don't do any narcotics,” yet he gets lovesick when he’s around them. Khalid’s saying the person he’s with is the cure to everything he might be going through. He loves it and doesn’t want it to stop. “medicine“ serves as the perfect introduction to Khalid’s new album. Its slow tempo and Khalid’s smooth vocals make the song what it is. The track is great for a relaxing night in or a date.
People who make you feel like they're a breath of fresh air are hard to come by. If there’s someone in your life who’s your medicine, cherish and hold onto them. Also, let them know how much they mean to you.
A playlist about desire, romance, or late nights would suit this song well.
“The lies that you sell me Deceit in your eyes Should've saw it comin'”
Have you ever been blinded by love? Being blinded by love is something most people go through; Khalid isn’t an exception. This leads us to the second track on the album, “in plain sight,” which also served as his comeback single. The song explores the themes of betrayal, dishonesty, and suspicion. “in plain sight” is about Khalid realizing that his partner has been playing him the entire time.
Khalid finds himself calling his partner out on everything that’s been happening right in front of him, from the lies to the cheating. He questions everything that’s going on to the point of becoming frustrated. Needless to say, the lack of respect is real in this song. Most songs about cheating pair well with an upbeat vibe and this is one of those. The vibe and beat of ”in plain sight” remind me of 2000s R&B music, which makes this one of my favorite songs on the album instantly.
A playlist about cheating, betrayal, or breakups would suit this song well.
“Like nah, nah, nah Putting up with you is walking on a tightrope (Tight)”
Sometimes you have to say “nah” to people who don’t do it for you anymore. It may be hard, but someone has to do it. “nah” is the third track on after the sun goes down. The song delves into the themes of toxicity, liberation, and boundaries. Khalid reminds us that it’s okay to say “nah” to someone and their bad behavior.
He explores the experience of a toxic relationship in which he’s finally recognizing the red flags that have been in front of him for a while. He knows if he stays, the cycle will repeat itself. It’s something that happens very often in toxic relationships. However, he’s standing on business when it comes to the toxicity he’s being put through. He’s ready to walk away by telling himself and his partner, “nah.” Hearing different takes on bad relationships, especially toxic ones, is always refreshing, as not all relationships are the same. It has a calming late-night vibe that may or may not have you question relationships in your own life.
If someone in your life has you saying ”nah,” it’s time to run for the hills. It might be hard, but sometimes it has to happen.
A playlist about toxic relationships, setting boundaries, or walking away would suit this song well.
“'Cause I like to be impulsive Pulling your body closer”
Do you live life going with the flow, or do you approach everything with a plan? If you chose the latter, what’s stopping you from living spontaneously? Sometimes you have to stop overthinking and just go for it. The infectious track, “impulsive,” captures that type of energy as it explores the themes of attraction, spontaneity, and desire.
In “impulsive” Khalid is having a night at a club. He’s drawn to someone he wants closer. He knows what he wants, and what he wants is to find out more about the person. While he could beat around the bush, Khalid is feeling confident and impulsive. His confidence is the type of confidence many can’t help but admire.
“impulsive” channels late 2000s and early 2010s R&B and pop energy. If there were a message to take away, it would be that being impulsive can be a great thing.
A playlist about nights out, confidence, or flirting would suit this song well.
“Blowin' my mind out, so out of body (Darkchild)”
The fifth song, “out of body,” served as the album’s second single. The song delves into the themes of desire, intimacy, and escapism. It’s a great follow-up to “impulsive,” as impulsiveness can lead to having an out-of-body experience.
Khalid wants to escape from the real world and wants to experience things with the guy he finds himself attracted to. Anything can happen. He isn’t afraid to admit that he’s down for whatever the night takes him. He repeatedly mentions “sun goes down” as a callout to the album’s title. This is another song that evokes 2000s R&B vibes, but more specifically, 2000s dance movie vibes. I expect nothing less from a track that has Darkchild; if you know, you know.
A playlist about desire, temptation, or intimacy would suit this song well.
“So, baby, if you need me, you can reach me at 333 (Ah), please don't call”
Sometimes you have moments where you don’t want a certain person to call your phone. Singers have made songs telling others not to call, from Usher’s “U Don't Have To Call” to Mabel’s “Don't Call Me Up.” Jumping on the train is Khalid’s catchy and upbeat, “please don’t call (333).” The song explores the themes of alcohol, boundaries, and rocky relationships.
In the song, Khalid is calling out the guy he’s in a situationship with when that guy is under the influence of alcohol. He paints a picture of them going to a club and living a life he shouldn’t be entertaining. While the man may want to call him, he’s telling them not to waste his time. He’s setting boundaries so he doesn’t have to deal with the messiness, protecting his peace, as one should always do.
“333” symbolizes a hotline in the song. The hotline could be Khalid telling the guy to try when he’s sober, and him trying to keep his distance. If that’s the case, it’s a mood for anyone who’s had to deal with a similar situation.
A playlist about boundaries, messy situationships (or relationships), or nightlife would suit this song well.
“I like the way that we connect when I'm at your place burnin' up Heartthrob in the tank top”
The seventh track on after the sun goes down is “tank top.” The song delves into themes of attraction, chemistry, and connection. “tank top” finds Khalid at the beginning of a situationship with someone. He’s enjoying spending time with the guy and wants to get to know him on a deeper and physical level. He sees him as a “heartrob in a tank top,” but likes so many more things about him. It’s new for him, but he’s enjoying seeing what could potentially come of it. It’s a beautiful, slow song perfect for a late-night (or even daytime) drive. What more is there to say about “tank top,” than to “turn it up, turn it up.”
A playlist featuring songs with clothing in the title, flings, or about flirting would suit this song well.
“Whenever you're gone Sometimes I think too much”
Missing someone you love being around can be hard. Missing someone when you or they are always on the go can be even harder. It can make you feel a lot of things. “whenever you’re gone” is a representation of that. The song delves into the themes of distance, yearning, and love. It’s an electrified, punchy R&B track.
In “whenever you’re gone,” Khalid sings about what it’s like being away from the guy he’s with. He goes through the motions that come with distance from his other half. He feels lonely, starts overthinking, is willing to lose sleep, and more because he feels lonely while they’re around. These are common things to happen if you’re in a long-distance relationship or simply always on the go and have a significant other. While there are downsides to things, the upside could be that a couple grows closer.
A playlist about long-distance relationships, missing someone, or overthinking would suit this song well.
“Du-du-dumbstruck Sunroof on a sports truck (Ah) Like my windows rolled up”
Have you ever met someone who made you feel “dumbstruck”? Someone who makes your heart race? If so, this song might resonate with you. The ninth track on Khalid’s album is the atmospheric track, “dumbstruck.” The song explores themes of chemistry, temptation, and desire.
“dumbstruck” finds Khalid flirtatiously entertaining someone in the heat of the night while they're in a car. He desires to escape and feel a sense of freedom by living in the moment. The mood is set with the lyric, “Like my windows rolled up," as there's privacy between them. There's a physical attraction where he wants to feel the other person's hands against him. At the song’s core, it’s all about living in the moment.
A playlist about intimacy, attraction, or late-night drives would suit this song well.
“Rendezvous Take your phone off silent while I FaceTime you Rock (With me) with me”
There’s nothing wrong with a rendezvous. There’s also nothing wrong with bad decisions, as people always say, “bad decisions make for good stories.” The next song, “rendenzous” gives the vibes of having a rendezvous. The song explores themes of intimacy, living in the moment, and privacy.
Khalid is no longer seeing the person in one of their cars. He knows they have a mutual attraction. The singer wants him to meet him at his place. He wants him to throw out any potential excuses they might come up with and let them know that the door is unlocked while he’s waiting for their arrival. He wants them to enjoy one another on an intimate level without anyone trying to ruin things. He even goes as far as to tell them that he sees them potentially being more to one another. Overall, the pulsing song gives off a playful yet intimate vibe.
A playlist about flirtation, romance, or secrecy would suit this song well.
“Ooh, can't seem to keep my focus when you're away So stay (So stay)”
Catchy, relatable, and feel-good are the words I’d use to describe Khalid’s song “true.” The song explores the themes of vulnerability, longing, and commitment. The intro, “It's true that I, it's true that I want you, yeah,” grabbed my attention off the bat.
Khalid is putting himself out there in “true,” knowing he wants more than an intimate connection. He initially struggles to fully express his feelings as he feels anxious about doing so. It’s a relatable feeling. It can be hard to tell someone how you feel, as one never knows how the other person is feeling, even if the signs are there. When the chorus hits, Khalid admits to his feelings and the commitment he wants to have with the guy he’s drawn to.
It’s a catchy song that might end up getting stuck in your head after a few listens. That’s not a bad thing. The song’s overall takeaway is that if you want someone, you should express your feelings to them. Or, you could always play this song for them.
A playlist about confessions, honesty, or falling for someone would suit this song well.
“I can feel you look at me look at you Love the way that you move We can go friends to lovers”
If you’ve ever been in a situation where you found yourself falling for a friend you ended up being attracted to, then you might be able to relate to “instant.” The song explores themes of desire, connection, and living in the moment.
The song’s lyrics paint a picture of Khalid being friends with someone he’s been finding himself falling for. He feels the mutual connection with them. While he can wait to ask the person if they want to be more than friends with him, he doesn’t want to waste any time and wants to change their status from friends to romantically involved. It’ll be a risk for them, which Khalid knows, and it causes him to be curious about the what-ifs that could come about. It’s relatable because no one wants to ever ruin a good friendship by becoming lovers with their friends. Between the upbeat and the repeated lines of “we can go friends to lovers,” listeners can sense the emotional urgency Khalid’s going through.
“You're my baby for the summer Blue skies, California You and I momentary lovers”
Summer flings are fun, interesting, and leave a lasting impression on most who experience them. Most people experience a summer fling at least once in their lifetime. Some never experience them. This is where “momentary lovers” come in. The song explores themes of flings, the summer, and nostalgia.
In the song, Khalid reflects on past moments between him and a guy with whom he had a summer fling. Looking back at when they were younger, they would do things misfits do, such as smoking. He recognizes they were seasonal lovers, but he’s not opposed to reconnecting. As he grew older, he developed a type of interest. However, he continues to think about the summer fling and wants him close.
“momentary lovers“ captures the feeling of a beautiful summer fling; it’s the type of song that’s perfect to play in a TV show or movie featuring a fleeting romance. A playlist about memories, connections, or summer romances would suit this song well.
“Tell me I'm not alone, give me that safety So I'm not holdin' on to yes, no, maybe”
Not every type of relationship comes with clarity. Some people, whether they’re talking to someone, dating, or in a relationship with another person, have a moment where they feel uncertainty. “yes no maybe” is a song that captures what it’s like to deal with that. The song explores themes of doubt, reassurance, and longing.
Khalid is deeply invested in the person he’s been spending a lot of time with. The guy spends time with him, but he doesn’t feel as if the feelings are reciprocated. Khalid doesn’t want to be at a loss with them. He wants to be assured and feel a sense of safety when he’s around them, not questioning things that he feels he shouldn’t be questioning.
Although the song is filled with uncertainty, it has a laid-back vibe and feels like a comforting hug. No one deserves to be in a “yes no maybe” situation. A playlist about doubt, vulnerability, or relationships would suit this song well.
“You're my angel boy Help me fill the void”
There’s nothing better than someone writing a song about you to express how they feel about you. That’s what Khalid did with “angel boy,” the fifteenth song on the album. The song explores themes of love, desire, and loyalty.
”angel boy” is about Khalid's deep affection for his partner, whom he calls his angel boy. The lyrics emphasize the partner's importance to Khalid, highlighting his loyalty and devotion. Khalid expresses that he only wants to be with this person and demonstrates his affection by catering to him and buying him expensive things. The guy means a lot to him in many ways, and the last thing Khalid wants is to let him go or be let go. It’s intimate and personal. The song is a beautiful way to make someone feel special.
A playlist about love, relationships, or desire would suit this song well.
“Oh, I've known hurt before, hurt before And I know hurt people hurt people”
Everyone knows the saying “hurt people, hurt people.” While some hurt people, not all people who have been hurt tend to hurt others. Khalid turns this song into a vulnerable masterpiece. The song explores themes of loss, loneliness, and reflection.
In the first verse of the song, Khalid reflects on losing his dad at a young age. He shares what the feeling of losing a parent could be like for most. The singer relates it to “Dippin' your head, hold your breath underwater, as you hope for the best.” For a lot of people, the pain of losing a dad, mom, or any loved one can take an emotional toll.
Through the second verse, Khalid sings about how it can feel lonely and unsafe when you don’t have anyone to help you through things. He explains hidden trauma through using makeup so it can’t be seen. During the bridge, he points out that while those who are hurt, hurt others, “see no one wants the poison inside their veins.” The lyrics remind us that even though we’re hurt, we hurt others without meaning to.
It can be easy to hide and bury how you’re feeling, but it can also be damaging to someone. “hurt people” beautifully captures what it’s like to lose someone or be hurt by someone in general. Khalid’s use of metaphors throughout the song gives great insight into how one tends to feel without really saying it.
A playlist about grief, reflection, or coping with pain would suit this song well.
“Don't nobody else make me feel like you do From the scent of your Prada perfume”
The last and final song from after the sun goes down is oskar med k and Khalid’s song “nobody (make me feel).” It’s a remix of oskar med k’s “make me feel.” The song explores themes of love and connection.
Khalid’s added lyrics add an extra layer to an already good song. He sings about the emotional connection he has with someone who’s in his life. The album could stand alone without this song, but the song fits the overall vibe of the album.
Khalid outshone himself after the sun goes down. It’s one of his best albums yet. It’s raw, special, and authentic. Without needing to, he proves he has nothing to hide and isn’t going to let anyone stop him from being who he is. I loved every song on the album. If I had to choose my top favorites, they would be “in plain sight,” “hurt people,” “out of body,” and “please don’t call (333).” The album is worth having on repeat.