Khalid’s lyrical talent is more evident when it comes to describing the ecstasy with which love strikes, which he considers an escape from the internal conflict of youth. The most telling example of this is the first verse in “Location,” in which he sings, “This is new to me, this is new to you / Initially, I didn’t wanna fall for you / Gather my attention it was all for you, so don’t / Take advantage, don’t leave my heart damaged.” This hesitation, however, is merely the exposition in the plot of romance that Khalid sings about throughout the album. In his lyrics, Khalid attempts to strike a balance between the embrace of freedom and the innate search for love.
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The ending, which could very well take place around a bonfire with friends, is an acoustic rendering of the chorus - reminiscent of younger years with plenty of free time.Ĭommitment - the anathema of youth - is presented as a central theme when it comes to love and relationships. The eponymous opening track “American Teen” leads with the lines, “Saying I don’t want to come home tonight / Yeah, and I’m high up, off what? / I don’t even remember / But my friend passed out in the Uber ride.” The syncopated drum-machine beats, coupled with Khalid’s vocals, make for the telling of a casual, almost innocent, story, void of any eccentricity. This is not to say that the album’s sense of youthfulness should be ignored, much less undermined. Its catchy refrain is an introduction to the thematic animus of the album: “Send me your location / Let’s focus on communication / ‘Cause I just need a time and place to come through.” Beyond the humdrum narrative of juvenile freedom that has plagued many a young artist, Khalid’s commentary cuts deep into his generation and speaks to a larger change in the way young people experience love. With its mellow electronic beat and smooth vocals, the song undoubtedly deserves the attention it has received. Soon after, it received the endorsement of Kylie Jenner, who posted a video listening to the song on her Snapchat account. Released in August 2016, “Location” initially hit airwaves via the free music streaming service SoundCloud, through which Khalid had been steadily releasing singles such as “Stuck on You” and “Saved,” the latter of which is featured on his new album. His ability to follow up his unanticipated hit “Location” with an act of the same caliber is a testament to the direction his career is taking - one that is set for success. The ordinary coming-of-age narrative common to the albums of seasoned artists finds its way onto “American Teen,” the sharp debut album of 19-year-old soul singer Khalid.
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