New Normal (song) explained

New Normal
Cover:Khalid - New Normal.png
Type:single
Artist:Khalid
Genre:
Length:3:18
Producer:
Prev Title:Working
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:Present
Next Year:2021

"New Normal" is a song by American singer-songwriter Khalid, released through RCA Records on July 21, 2021. The song was produced by John Hill, Active Child, and Blanda.[1]

Background and composition

Khalid told press that the inspiration of "New Normal" comes from "the pandemic and the emotional toll that quarantine took on me and my friends".[2] Khalid also told Rolling Stone that he started to write the song in the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and it "was my way of coping with the misunderstanding" and he also felt that it shows who he is as a person and "it just embodies hope for the outcome of our future". He also explained his inspiration for the song:

Around this time last year, I was super fascinated and gravitated towards space. I was watching this comet by the name of Neowise last year, and space travel is something I've always been interested in as well. And I've been going through the motions of understanding this new, postmodern future that's coming together, especially when it comes down to technology – it's something that really excites me.[3]

On July 8, 2021, Khalid announced the song along with its cover art and release date. He performed it live for the Virgin Galactic Unity 22 Spaceflight Launch on July 11, 2021. "New Normal" has been described as a "groovy, moody pop-R&B" song.[4]

Music video

The official music video premiered alongside the song on July 21, 2021. It shows a reference to Silicon Valley and shows a bunch of modern items, such as "skyscraper gardens, autonomous vehicles, drone deliveries, and smart homes". The music video also shows Khalid's PlayStation 5. Andrew J. Hawkins of The Verge described the song "as smooth and breezy as a summer afternoon, which is weird because the video that accompanies the track is pretty much a venture capitalist's dream come true".[5]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[6]

Charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[7] 87
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[8] 8
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[9] 62

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)Label
VariousJuly 21, 2021RCA[10]
United StatesAugust 3, 2021Contemporary hit radio[11]
Rhythmic contemporary radio[12]

Notes and References

  1. Khalid Embraces 'New Normal', Announces Third Album 'Everything Is Changing'. Rolling Stone. Spanos. Brittany. Brittany Spanos. July 21, 2021. July 21, 2021.
  2. Khalid Welcomes Post-Pandemic Life in 'New Normal' Single, Announces Third Album. Rolling Stone. Dailey. Hannah. July 21, 2021. July 21, 2021.
  3. Khalid to Premiere New Song for Virgin Galactic Spaceflight Launch. Rolling Stone. Shaffer. Claire. July 9, 2021. July 21, 2021.
  4. Web site: Khalid Brings His Single 'New Normal' Back Down to Earth, Drops Video. Vulture. Curto. Justin. July 21, 2021. July 21, 2021.
  5. Web site: Khalid's latest music video is a big, sloppy kiss to Silicon Valley. The Verge. Hawkins. Andrew J.. July 21, 2021. July 21, 2021.
  6. Web site: Credits / New Normal / Khalid. Tidal. July 21, 2021.
  7. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 2 August 2021. The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1639. 4. August 2, 2021.
  8. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. August 2, 2021. July 31, 2021.
  9. Web site: Veckolista Singlar, vecka 30. Sverigetopplistan. August 3, 2021.
  10. Web site: New Normal - Single by Khalid on Apple Music. Apple Music. July 21, 2021. July 21, 2021.
  11. Web site: Top 40/M Future Releases. https://web.archive.org/web/20210727222340/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases. July 27, 2021. All Access. July 27, 2021.
  12. Web site: Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases. https://web.archive.org/web/20210727223443/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases. July 27, 2021. All Access. July 24, 2021.