Free Spirit
by Khalid
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Apr 5, 2019
User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 81 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 81
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 81
  3. Negative: 13 out of 81
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  1. Jevus
    Jun 25, 2019
    6
    Hearing Khalid in pieces is very rewarding and enjoyable, but when you compile 17 songs and listen to them all together, it becomes quite boring and flat, because he does not have the great voice he needs to support himself with music styles that are a little more full of life, Same thing happens with Troye Sivan and Sam Smith. The quality and all the production team behind this album isHearing Khalid in pieces is very rewarding and enjoyable, but when you compile 17 songs and listen to them all together, it becomes quite boring and flat, because he does not have the great voice he needs to support himself with music styles that are a little more full of life, Same thing happens with Troye Sivan and Sam Smith. The quality and all the production team behind this album is very good, but as I always say: it's no use having all that if you have a very weak voice and sometimes even boring. Khalid has great songs and collaborations such as "Love Lies" with Normani, "Eastside" by benny blanco along with Halsey and "Ocean" with Martin Garrix, but very rarely in this album does something similar, "Better" is the one that brings it afloat This ship that sinks for several long moments, while "Right Back" and "Outta My Head" with John Mayer make it worthwhile to throw away almost an hour of quite irregular and slow songs. After his EP Suncity I lost hope in what would be his new music so I do not disappoint as such, it is mediocre and quite boring for the common denominator that listens to popular or mainstream music.… Expand
  2. fifi3
    Jul 28, 2019
    5
    It has a really cool synthetic vibe and has a couple nice standouts, but it's bloated and generic at times, too. It's a pretty average album.
  3. jeffer21
    Apr 5, 2019
    6
    on this second album khalid came shy, except for some songs he did not show all his potential, his debut album is still his best work so far!
  4. petrichor1975
    Jun 22, 2021
    5
    "American Teen" practically bought Khalid has fame. With numerous hit singles and features from the release of his debut to now, he has been arguably one of the most important pop stars in the past few years.

    "Free Spirit" is not "American Teen", however. Khalid has now experienced the all too familiar sophomore slump. It just seems like everywhere you go in pop, every turn you take,    "American Teen" practically bought Khalid has fame. With numerous hit singles and features from the release of his debut to now, he has been arguably one of the most important pop stars in the past few years.

    "Free Spirit" is not "American Teen", however. Khalid has now experienced the all too familiar sophomore slump. It just seems like everywhere you go in pop, every turn you take, there's Khalid.

    "Intro" is the best song on the record, with its spacious synths and reverb-soaked vocals. Mostly every song talks about getting inebriated, drunk-texting your ex-girlfriend, and then waking up to not remember a thing. "Right Back" and "Outta My Head" are the tracks that stand out (even though they are still about love). Oh, and John Mayer stops by to lay down some guitar on the latter track.

    Khalid's newest record is ordinary. That's it. It's just ordinary, love-infested, scorned pop. His vocals are up to par, but the variety and overall greatness of the record is not.    … Expand
  5. ImBathory
    Apr 8, 2019
    6
    It's okay at times but mostly boring the majority of the time. A little letdown.
  6. Chapyy
    Apr 6, 2019
    5
    I had high hopes for this album, but Khalid did not deliver. There is some good songs in it that i wouldn't skip if it plays when i'm on shuffle play but my experience from listening to the album is that the songs are kinda repetitive with no real progression and no personality. I still prefer his debut album and by far! I still recommend you listening to it because the reviews seems toI had high hopes for this album, but Khalid did not deliver. There is some good songs in it that i wouldn't skip if it plays when i'm on shuffle play but my experience from listening to the album is that the songs are kinda repetitive with no real progression and no personality. I still prefer his debut album and by far! I still recommend you listening to it because the reviews seems to be quite divided so maybe you'll like it. For my part, it's an 5/10… Expand
  7. punkisdead
    Apr 16, 2019
    6
    Khalid has a great voice and people where expecting this album as the release of the year, it is dull, sometimes a little boring and lacks the spark. Do not buy it just stream your favorite song.
  8. brrunosouzza
    Sep 10, 2019
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. "Suncity" foi pra mim um dos melhores álbuns do ano. foi aquele que tornou Khalid diferente musicalmente dos outros e que me viciou por uns dias, então o hype para "Free Spirit" aumentava a cada dia e quando escutei a última música, fiquei um pouco decepcionado.

    Sonoramente me lembra "Suncity", tanto que comentei com amigos que poderia ser um EP mas não dá pra negar como Khalid trabalhou muito nesse álbum. vocais perfeitos, instrumentais bem trabalhados mas a melodia me lembrou e muito o álbum anterior.    … Expand
  9. NicoleShyins
    Apr 17, 2022
    4
    A very mediocre release from Khalid, I got bored less than halfway through and I can barley remember any of the tracklist and that's that :/

Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Most Discussed Album of 2019
26
#26 Most Shared Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. HipHopDX
    Apr 17, 2019
    60
    Free Spirit isn’t an outright failure. For it to be a failure, Khalid would have to at least take a few risks.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    Apr 12, 2019
    50
    An hour-long LP with little joy or even relief, one that is nearly static in energy level despite a carousel of producers.
    Read full review
  3. Pitchfork
    Apr 10, 2019
    47
    Free Spirit isn’t the coming of age album Khalid intended it to be, though in his nascent adulthood he has mastered something. Unfortunately, it’s the art of being innocuous.
    Read full review
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