Khalid releases first album in 5 years: Sincere feels 'too familiar'

Save the date—by the summer of 2024, Khalid transformed from a singer-songwriter into a full-on mood. 

His 16-track album Sincere features a blend of stunning harmonies and light, minimalistic rhythms, coming together like a melting popsicle on a hot day.

It's the kind of music perfect for a dark drive home after a sleepless night, with headlights cutting through the early morning haze and hands feeling the summer breeze as dawn breaks. Khalid's songs—whether addressing drug addiction, depression, love, breakups, or extreme temperatures—glide effortlessly, leaving a fleeting impression.

“Sincere” is Khalid's first full-length album since his 2019 release, “Free Spirit,” which featured standout singles like “Talk” and “Better” and was named one of the top albums of 2019 by AP.

The new album probably won't make it onto any 2024 year-end lists, possibly because we’ve become familiar with Khalid's style or because the artist seems to be sticking to familiar territory.

While there are some standout tracks like “Lifted” with its relaxed guitar riff and the energetic “Everything We See,” the overall impact is one of monotony. Many songs blend together without making a significant impression. 

The soft, prayer-like “Broken” transitions into the ethereal harmonies of "Who’s There To Pick Me Up." Even Khalid's effort to vary his vocal delivery, such as on “Ground” where he sings with a gritted-teeth style, fails to break us from the laid-back vibe.

Tracks like “Tainted,” “Adore U,” “Long Way Home,” and “Heatstroke” would stand out on most albums, but on this one, they largely feel like filler—offering familiar sounds and moods that blend together.