Khalid Faces his Worst Enemy in new Song, "Self"

Khalid's fans know him as a happy-go-lucky kind of person, with fun songs like "8TEEN," "Young, Dumb, and Broke," and "American Teen." His last album, titled American Teen didn't touch on anything too serious besides a lost young love, but that all seems like it's about to change on his upcoming album "Free Spirit."

The latest song to be released from Khalid's sophomore album, "Self" is just about as raw and emotional as you could be in a song. He sings about trying to run away from his own self and being afraid to take inventory of who he actually is because it may not be what he or anyone else likes. There's even a line in the chorus where Khalid sings, "Now, does my raw emotion make me less of a man? Hmm?" playing on the stereotype that because he's being so raw and vulnerable that people might see him as weak, and "men aren't supposed to be weak."

Courtesy of RCA Records

The music to go with the lyrics is also quite moody and dark, again something we're not used to hearing from Khalid. "Self" and the few other songs that have been released from the album so far all seem more grown up, both music and lyric wise. That's how it should be, though. He's not a teenager anymore and he might be young still, but he's definitely not broke, so he can't relate to what teenagers go through as much as he did when American Teen was released. He's been through more in his life and his able to make a mature song that conveys his feelings, even if it is saddening.

Even though "Self" is a sad song, the outro shows some optimism with the lines, "Be a flower in the garden," and the repetition of "Be one with the sun." Let the lyrics reflect that he's going to find the light again and keep growing into the person he wants to be.