Album review: Khalid, Suncity EP

Los Angeles singer-songwriter Khalid returns with a sun-soaked EP. Photo / Supplied

Khalid has one of the most beautiful voices in the industry right now. It's textured and emotive, the lower register is gritty and soulful, the higher is dreamy and controlled.

It's just a shame that his music isn't always on the same level.

Suncity feels like the sleepy comedown from American Teen. It's a 20-minute, seven-song collection of samey, low-tempo songs, which are a little too chill, built around simple guitar or piano melodies.

The lyrics are relatable in the way that horoscopes always apply: the themes are universal - love, sex, existentialism, the future - and the lyrics are vague enough that you can pick out some truth for yourself.

"I wish living life was easy / But mine has been a mess/ They say it comes with the seasons / But the seasons come and go," he sings on Vertigo. Then on Salem's Interlude: "Am I walking the right way, or should I be turning around?"

So with nothing much being offered by way of either writing or energy, Khalid is saved mainly by his vocal talent and his vision for it; the distortions of his voice, the perfectly placed runs, choral swells and autotuned titbits.

The obvious highlight is the title track, a duet with the wonderful Empress Of, with whom Khalid croons in Spanish over a reggaeton beat delivering a possible new direction for the young pop star.

And maybe that's all Suncity is; an exploration of where to go next after the worldwide hit that was American Teen. Who knows, but whatever comes next, I hope it's something a bit more punchy than this.

Khalid, Sun City

Artist: Khalid
Album: Suncity
Label: Sony Music
Verdict: A beautiful collection, but a little sleepy