Khalid is continuing his run of 2021 tracks, and he’s staying just as present as ever.
The 23-year-old crooner dropped his latest song “Present,” marking his first release since July’s futuristic effort “New Normal.” Today’s offering hears Khalid floating over a melodic R&B joint, carried by some silky guitar strums and the musician’s always on-point vocals.
“I just wanna be with you/Say the word, I’m coming through/Tell me what I gotta do/Pulled up to your avenue,” he sings in the track’s second verse.
“I’ve had the chance to listen to a lot of music,” the 23-year-old said in a press release, “and also push myself creatively while I’m recording. My Mom raised me on R&B and whether it’s the harmonies or melodies, it will always be a part of my music. ‘Present’ is just the beginning and I love that it has a dual meaning. It feels good to be more ‘present’ after such a trying year in the pandemic and it’s also a present’ for my fans that have been with me every step of the way.”
Khalid used the arrival of new music to reveal a mixtape Scenic Drive called will come Dec. 3, a “companion piece” to his 2018Sun CityEP. His previous drop came alongside the announcement of his third studio album Everything Is Changing. He hasn’t released a project since his sophomore LP Free Spirit in 2019. His third full-length is expected to come about five or so years after his breakout debut American Teen.
Back in August 2020, Khalid caught up with Complex, discussing what it was like being in album mode and his then-recent partnership with Reebok.
“I’m in album mode,” he shared. “I’m zoning in on my creativity. I feel like I’m taking it back to the basics, kind of writing the album how I approached American Teen, and American Teen is so special to me. I feel that same sort of inspiration I felt when I first started creating. I feel like a little kid again.”
Check out Khalid’s “Present” below through Spotify and watch the music video up top.
