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Last Friday (August 02) Khalid returned to music with his third studio album Sincere, which was delivered to all major streaming platforms via RCA Records, in conjunction with Right Hand Music Group.
The album follows up on the four lead singles the singer has consistently uploaded since Please Don't Fall In Love With Me was distributed to streaming back in May. As per his album announcement post, Khalid Donnel Robinson expressed gratitude to his fanbase for waiting on this LP stating:
"5 years later, we’re finally here Thank you for the wait"
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Robinson's Sincere features a single guest appearance from English singer-songwriter Arlo Parks, with the Silence singer taking the lead on the majority of this LP, assisted by a string of producers who put together a bouncy composition filled with carefree lyricism.
Breaking down Khalid's new album 'Sincere'
Khalid Donnel Robinson's third studio album, Sincere, follows up on his Scenic Drive mixtape which was released in 2021, and his 2019 studio album Free Spirit. Reportedly the artist conducted several polls with his fanbase where they helped him structure his latest LP.
Sincere is a 16-track LP with a complete runtime of 52 minutes diving into themes like sorrow, loneliness, heartbreak, relationships, infidelity, loss, excess, love, and Intimacy.
Disclaimer: This review is rated explicit. Reader discretion is advised.
Adore U
(Production Credits: Digi and Justin Lucas)
Khalid introduces his third studio album with an R&B cut titled Adore U filled with enticing hi-hat drum sequences, with the singer speaking on themes of love, relationships, and intimacy.
During an interview with Rolling Stones, Robinson explained that Adore U was his favorite track because it "delivers a melancholic experience filled with ethereal melodies". Notable bars from this song include lines like:
"Started on two different pages, I'm happy we made it / You say that you're broken, I'm the one who saves you / Thousand miles apart and God knows that I hate it / Nothing hurts me more than when we're separated"
Everything We See
(Production Credits: Chrome Sparks and Nate Mingo)
Listeners are then introduced to a bouncy melodic record titled Everything We See, filled with spacy vocal performances and harmonies that build into an extremely memorable hook.
On the hook Khalid emphasizes his willingness to stand by his partner, highlighting "love" as a parasitic force that has been keeping them together.
"So if you stay counting on me, I'll fight all your demons every night / If you say, say you won't leave, eating your heart like parasites / So if you stay counting on me, I'll fight all your demons every night / If you say, say you won't leave, eating your heart like parasites" - Khalid's hook on 'Everything We See'.
Altitude
(Production Credits: Denis Kosiak, Jason Kellner, and Nate Mingo)
Khalid then delivers an extremely passionate vocal performance on Altitude where he cites the irresistible nature of the relationship he's in and the love he has for his partner.
This song ends with the singer highlighting the importance of spending time together, despite the uncertainties of life. Notable bars from this song include lines like:
"2 a.m. on Ocean Drive (2 a.m.) / Roof is gone, we're so alive (So alive) / See your face lit by the lights (Oh) / They can't show me what's inside (What's inside) / So you wanna run away from the unknown?"
It's All Good
(Production Credits: Chrome Sparks)
On It's All Good, listeners find Khalid exploring themes of betrayal, loyalty, and heartbreak while referencing instances from a past relationship.
The singer recounts the lingering "trauma" of being abandoned, hoping those memories eventually fade away. Notable bars from this song include lines like:
"They say I'll get over the trauma / But there's certain things that you just don't forget / I wish I could burn it all / And light all of your shit on fire / Set the world ablaze just like a cigarette / Underneath the waterfall / That's where I wash away the grievances you can't escape / You're my biggest regret"
Broken
(Production Credits: Chrome Sparks)
Recurring themes of heartbreak, love, betrayal, and infidelity are at the forefront of Broken, with Khalid dividing the track into two parts. He introduces the idea of his affection being "treated as a game" in the first section of the song.
The second half of Broken finds the singer highlighting how he's stuck in denial, hoping to find a reason for why his partner was unfaithful to him. This is best evidenced in lines like:
"You're so out of bounds / I'm stuck in denial / Thinking you were down / But you let me down / Where do I turn now? Someone tell me how / Everywhere I go / You'll still be around / How, how could you do me like that?"
Dose
(Production Credits: Chrome Sparks and Nate Mingo)
On Dose, Khalid explores themes of addiction, substance abuse, and relationship dynamics, as he recounts instances where his partner's addiction to getting "high" took a toll on their relationship.
The singer highlights how his partner's relentless substance abuse has left him with a sense of helplessness, as seen in lines like:
"Can't tell what's real or what is fake / And they say drugs are not your friend (Tell me now, can, high) / Countin' every breath you take (High) / How'd I get here if it's not fate? And they say drugs are not your friend (Yeah, high) / That was the first mistake I made"
Please Don’t Fall In Love With Me
(Production Credits: Jason Kellner and Denis Kosiak)
Listeners are then re-introduced to the first lead single from the LP, Please Don’t Fall In Love With Me, where we see Khalid effortlessly blending a soft vocal performance into entrancing melodies and harmonies.
The song speaks on themes of relationships, failure, and conflicted desires, which are best evidenced by lines like:
"I'm so good without you, I know that I'm healin' (Healin') / But that doesn't change that the way I've been feelin' (Feelin') / Is clouding my judgment, I act like it's nothin' (Nothin') / But really I'm sufferin', I'm way too forgivin' (Sufferin') / I saw your new man and he looks like a joke / It's been a while since the both of us spoke"
Breathe (Feat. Arlo Parks)
(Production Credits: Denis Kosiak, Jason Kellner, BLANDA, and Nate Mingo)
Khalid teams up with English singer-songwriter Arlo Parks for the track titled Breathe, where both artists delve into themes of mental health, depression, and anxiety, performing over an R&B-Pop production.
Arlo takes the lead on the emotional hook before Khalid opens on the song's single verse, where he identifies with feelings of claustrophobia, citing how he feels trapped within his own thoughts, as seen on lines like:
"Even in my bed, I feel afraid when thе lights go off / Just my thoughts and I and I've been dying to clear my conscience / Like the walls are closing on me, I get so claustrophobic / Open up my eyes, I'm still surrounded by all this darkness / And I know that"
Ground
(Production Credits: M-Phazes, Aiden Rodriguez, and Matt Dugan)
On Ground, Khalid opens with an interesting flow and cadence that finds him floating between singing and rapping over a production that mixes trap and R&B elements.
The lyricism on this track appears to revolve around a constant search for stability, happiness, and clarity, with the singer looking to an excessive life as a means of escape. These themes are best evidenced by lines like:
"Only took a gram and a half, saw your body tessellate / We go out and skate under moonlight, disappear in the masqueradе / Tell me how real wе really are, sayin' we're in some simulation / How to become self-aware when everything seems so calculated?"
Who’s There To Pick Me Up
(Production Credits: Jason Kellner, Denis Kosiak, Kofo, and Nate Mingo)
Listeners are then introduced to Who’s There To Pick Me Up, where Khalid dives into his vulnerabilities and emotional dependence, citing he struggles to open up because of lingering past trauma.
The melancholic production and cadences employed on this track significantly help push the deeper meaning behind Khalid's lyricism to the forefront of the record, with memorable lines like:
"Thinking if they get high enough, no one needs to see / Now I know vulnerability has its limitations / If I'm showing you everything, I hope you embrace it / 'Cause I don't do that usually, I prepare for the scrutiny / Thinking if you get used to me, you'll be on your way / Oh, so I guess you must be on your way then"
Tainted
(Production Credits: Jason Kellner, Denis Kosiak, and Nate Mingo)
On Tainted listeners are introduced to the difficulties Khalid faces overcoming instances of betrayal in his relationship, citing how his partner's "tainted" actions have severely affected his mental health.
Although the song starts with Khalid hoping to find a way to salvage his failing relationship, Tainted closes out with him accepting that his partner's behavior may never change.
"Try to make excuses, just blame it on abuse / Seems to be your favorite line for you to use / You see i relate that we trauma bond / Hold you in my arms, did i read you wrong?"
Long Way Home
(Production Credits: Digi and Simon Says)
Khalid effectively captures the essence of youthful exuberance on Long Way Home opening the record with acoustic melodies and harmonies, before delivering verses that highlight his carefree attitude toward living life.
The lyricism on this track is extremely vivid and revolves around themes of excess, ignorance, and escapism, which is best evidenced by lines like:
"We were living clueless, reckless, ignorant / You always act a fool when you're lit, you're belligerent / I didn't have to view 'bout a thing, I was innocent / So if it's red or blue, wouldn't know what the difference is"
Heatstroke
(Production Credits: John Hill and Psymun)
Listeners are then introduced to Heatstroke where Khalid metaphorically compares his romantic relationship to a "supernova" on the hook to convey the overwhelming love he has for his partner. The verse appears to highlight emotions of confusion, best evidenced by lines like:
"'Cause when it starts, I'm overwhelmed / No, I can't explain / And then the walls begin to melt / As it burns to the flames / And I recall the way I felt / No, I'll never be the same / No, I wouldn't be the same"
Sincere
(Production Credits: Edge and Nate Mingo)
Khalid then delivers the titular track for his third studio album, Sincere, where he highlights feelings of uncertainty and a sense of turmoil stemming from a relationship that's slowly fading away.
Throughout the song we see the singer questioning whether his partner genuinely cares for him, as seen in lines like:
"It's like I'm losing myself / Fill me with doubt (Ah, ah) / While I bare my wounds / You say you're leaving me / Who's there to help? I'm lost in this cloud (Ah, ah) / Like I'm gasping for air / And there's no relief for me"
Owe To You
(Production Credits: Jason Kellner, Denis Kosiak, and Nate Mingo)
On Owe To You, Khalid reflects on his ex-relationship with lyrics that dive into themes of regret, loneliness, and desire. The singer appears to dream about rekindling this relationship, promising to be there for his partner consistently, as seen in lines like:
"The longer that I'm stuck in this bed, our vision will fade / And sadly, you'll be leaving me here (Sadly, you'll be leaving me here) / We had it all, but look at us now / It's seeming that the light's gone away, we're stuck in a drought / Watching all our dreams disappear (Watching all our) / Dreams disappear"
Decline
(Production Credits: Jason Kellner, Denis Kosiak, Blake Straus, and Nate Mingo)
Khalid closes out his third studio album with a deeply emotion track titled Decline, drawing listeners in with an enticing production fueled by piano key progressions and acoustic harmonies.
The lyricism appears to majorly revolve around Khalid reminiscing on his past highlighting emotions of a lingering heartbreak, as seen in lines like:
"What am I to do all alone in this city? 'Cause I can't replace the memories with you when they start to dissolve / I thought I was okay, all of a sudden then it hit me / I tried to relax, you’re not coming back to me after all (After all)"
Khalid's third studio album masterfully highlights emotions of sorrow and loneliness through simple R&B and Pop compositions, where listeners are introduced to a more mature version of the singer.
The album appears to heavily draw from personal experiences and relationship issues, making Sincere one of Khalid's most transparent projects.
