The album title alone does an excellent job of awakening curiosity. Oh, The Doubt Among Us suggests themes of uncertainty, dividedness and self-doubt. Before even hitting play, it already invites you to pay attention to the lyrics and sounds that will be presented in the body of work. Even though Khal!l put out his first album Heart in 2023, this is the one he’s calling his official debut, a clean slate.
We can see why Oh, The Doubt Among Us is presented as a brand-new start, marking the debut of his newfound sound and confidence. The album reflects on the past year and a half of his life, capturing a period of personal growth and reconnection with his faith. The American artist recorded much of the album in an old church building in his hometown of Milwaukee, giving the project a meaningful connection to home. His godmother provided him with the space when he needed somewhere to create, making the album’s origins feel particularly personal.
Produced, mixed and mastered by Khal!l himself, it’s no wonder the project feels so personal and up-close. He bares it all on ‘I CONFESS’: “Responsibility is settlin' in. I make your bed but I don′t know, yeah, which way to go still, no. Is there anyone in love still?”, over a slow, distorted R&B production that wouldn’t sound out of place on Dijon’s Baby. We can’t help but bring up his name, as some of the songs take us straight back to Dijon’s latest critically acclaimed album. When Khal!l hits the 2:30 mark on ‘PROMISE’ and repeatedly sings “baby, baby, baby”, it feels like it must be a reference.
The album takes us out for a good time when we reach ‘IF ONLY’. The track draws inspiration from mid-90s East Coast hip-hop, meeting smooth, soulful R&B over a funky bassline. From the opening beat, it’s a direct ode to Biggie’s ‘Hypnotize’. With its funky, danceable hip-hop beats feeling reminiscent of the classic. As we get closer to the end of the song, the track shifts direction. The otherwise dominant production makes room for a more stripped-back section. The change in feeling is almost as if we’re listening to an oddly layered and isolated sample of a Michael Jackson song. Could the different sections of the song be evidence that this is an ode to his idols?
Where Amazing Grace is usually about redemption, forgiveness and finding hope through faith, the phrase seems to take on a new meaning on Khal!l’s album. Even though the lyrics themselves breathe themes of faith and explore the deeper meaning behind the saying, the production on ‘AMAZING GRACE’ feels like they take place outside of church. There couldn’t be a bigger contrast between the sung words and the danceable beats in the production. Electronic sounds awkwardly compete with each other throughout the production, somehow making it work in an oddly distorted way. A song with such a suggestive title turns out to be the biggest experiment on the project.
His airy, understated vocals drift between melodic rap and alternative R&B, bringing an intimate, almost otherworldly quality to his hazy, self-produced sound. Our favorite vocal moment comes on ‘FEELS’. The production is the most traditional R&B on the record, which allows Khal!l to make his voice sound equally traditional. Expect raspy belts and layered vocals that create harmonies, adding depth and warmth to the song. The big belts continue on ‘THE DANGER’, where the singer reaches new heights with his voice, carrying the emotions to another level. As he sings, “It′s dangerous to love me child remember. See the danger lies in what we can′t remember. So I won't denounce your weeping,” we have chills all over.
The project as a whole is perfect evidence of what can happen when you allow yourself to let go of expectations and create whatever comes naturally. Music like this might leave some listeners in doubt, getting lost in a whirlwind of different emotions translated through distorted production that blends musical influences wherever possible. To us, it’s exactly where the beauty of the album lies. It’s the beautiful chaos that invites us into Khal!l’s world, and we have no intention of leaving anytime soon.