The bliss that Khalid had in “American Teen” helped his content and his messages come through, which clearly ended when he outgrew his teenage years. The slower, down-beat song contrasts with the rest of the album, dominated by hopeless, stencil-cut love songs, preventing Khalid from sounding original and genuine. This youthful bliss did not last, for Khalid’s “Twenty One,” the 12th track on his new album, only mentions the negative aspects of growing older, such as often being “wasted on alcohol,” “in pain,” or having anxiety. In “8TEEN,” the seventh track in that album, he touches on the joys of being 18 years old, the comfort of irresponsibility, the old loves, smoking weed, concern for strict parents and having fun with friends. The 21-year-old R&B/soul singer spent his unforgettable “American Teen” album reminiscing about his teenage years. Though Khalid’s new album “ Free Spirit,” released April 5, was well anticipated by his fans - from raving teenage girls from Chicago’s Lollapalooza in 2018 to fans drawn to his juvenile attitude –– it is only from Khalid’s 2017 album “American Teen” that America’s youth should draw inspiration.
