Khalid is stepping into a new era. The chart-topping R&B-pop artist has announced his upcoming album, After The Sun Goes Down, set for release on October 10 through Right Hand Music Group and RCA Records. It marks his first full-length project since publicly coming out, and the music already signals a shift in tone.
A New Sound, A New Chapter
Leading the album rollout is the single “In Plain Sight,” a glossy, dance-inspired track that leans into house rhythms and New Jack Swing influences. The song’s accompanying video, directed by 91 Rules, puts Khalid front and center in a glowing nightclub dreamscape filled with strobe lights, fluid choreography, and, yes, a literal glass closet. The playful imagery makes it clear he’s rewriting his narrative with a wink.
Khalid said this new phase of his career is about self-expression without restraint. “This chapter is about taking my power back, living in my truth, and being able to express myself freely,” he shared in a press release. “I’m excited for my fans to experience this new era with me, not just musically, but personally.”
First Album Since Coming Out
For Khalid, the project carries personal weight. It’s his first album release since another artist outed him publicly, an experience he has since reframed on his own terms. At the time, Khalid made it clear that his sexuality was his to share, posting, “I wasn’t hiding anything! It’s just not any of your business.” Now, with After The Sun Goes Down, he appears eager to embrace visibility with confidence rather than defensiveness.
In a conversation with Billboard Canada earlier this summer, Khalid explained that he’s leaning into sides of himself fans haven’t fully seen. “Not just my moody side, but the fun side. The flirty side,” he said.
Reclaiming His Artistry
Khalid’s last project, Sincere (2024), was filled with contemplative ballads. The new album promises a lighter energy, something closer to the artist he once imagined becoming. “My new era of music feels like I’m finally ready to be the artist I’ve always dreamt of being,” he said. “It goes back to when I was a child imagining myself onstage, and now I feel like I have the confidence to finally be that artist.”
After The Sun Goes Down will be released October 10, with “In Plain Sight” available now across streaming platforms.
