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. oxmarxrey
    Apr 7, 2019
    0
    This album really disappointed me. I was looking forward to it as I loved his debut album and I even saw him in concert which was amazing. This album to me was a a lot of skips and the stands that did stand out were in no way up to par with the songs from his debut album.
  2. Gapiswiftie
    Sep 5, 2019
    0
    Yuck. Khalid ssssssssuucuucucucucuucudiekkekskskkskskwkwjssj he is so so so good
  3. Simao
    Oct 1, 2020
    3
    the noah centineo of the music industry... go girl give us nothing.

    the album is bland and the lyrics are terrible - it was really hard to listen to until the end.
  4. hzy0421
    May 13, 2019
    7
    The synths are bright and smooth, the guitar is so 80s-ish, a pretty solid follow-up. Not getting all the hate here. He's just 21 and it's only been two years since his debut, where he used the whole album to talk about his adolescence experience, so I never expected him to deal with some "deeper" issues.
  5. NETMUSIC
    Apr 7, 2019
    7
    It's a pretty good follow up album, but is far off American Teen! Favourite song's from the album are 'Talk', 'Better', 'Intro' and 'Outta My Head'
  6. 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
  7. 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.
  8. 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!
  9. LotusVQ
    May 17, 2019
    1
    o album é bem chato e cansativo, parece que Khalid tá na mesma musica o album inteiro.
  10. kams
    Apr 8, 2019
    9
    Great production and one of a kind Khalid,s voice. Thats all you need for a great album. Incredible album and the vibes are amazing.
  11. fabxricio
    Apr 6, 2019
    8
    Ainda que tenha um conteúdo lírico fraco, o álbum de Khalid nos leva a uma grande viagem por diversos estilos sempre prevalecendo ao R&B. Nenhum erro de produção ou algo que enfraqueça o álbum ao se ouvir.
  12. 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
  13. theanomalydiary
    Apr 13, 2019
    7
    I sure did enjoy the album after a couple of listens. My only gripe is that it is too long. As for it being a hot mess, I don’t mind it really. Besides, his career has just begun; I’m sure he’ll progress his music further.
  14. ImBathory
    Apr 8, 2019
    6
    It's okay at times but mostly boring the majority of the time. A little letdown.
  15. charliebowden
    Apr 5, 2019
    10
    Coming from someone with no prior exposure to Khalid's work, I was thoroughly impressed with this album and enjoyed it from start to finish. His unique vocal style works well with the R&B beats of the songs, and many of the tracks have honest, relatable lyrics, with some great collaborations thrown in as well. One of my favourites of 2019!
  16. 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… Collapse
  17. teomedinabad
    Apr 7, 2019
    10
    This album surprised me, as I see an artist who has seen beyond his fame, and world acclaimed first album to a thought provoking second album. It's a journey toward his ideas and his fears and that is definitely a trait in Khalid's new album. In addition to diverse types of R&B records, from your summer hit 'Talk', to the collaboration with John Mayer in 'Outta my head', you have an albumThis album surprised me, as I see an artist who has seen beyond his fame, and world acclaimed first album to a thought provoking second album. It's a journey toward his ideas and his fears and that is definitely a trait in Khalid's new album. In addition to diverse types of R&B records, from your summer hit 'Talk', to the collaboration with John Mayer in 'Outta my head', you have an album where guitars, and synthesizers blend out perfectly with the beat.

    I would totally recommend this album as a follow up to Khalid's Suncity and his debut album American Teen, as he progresses as an artist who acknowledges the path that brought him recognition, but dares to explore his demons in a fully charged R&B record.    … Expand
  18. 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.
  19. 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
  20. Real_g22
    Jun 4, 2020
    10
    Hermoso álbum. Excelente producción en él.
    La voz de Khalid en cada canción hace que te sientas en un viaje por la galaxia mientras lo escuchas. Sin duda un álbum muy infravalorado.
    Mención especial a Outta My Head y Bluffin' ya que son los tracks con mejor producción en mi opinión.
  21. 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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