Khalid’s “Better” is the kind of R&B record that makes staying in feel more appealing than going out. Released in 2018 as part of his Suncity era, the track finds him exploring the excitement of a romance that doesn’t need an audience. There’s a relaxed confidence to the way he approaches the subject, and the production gives him plenty of room to settle into it. Set in C Minor at 98 BPM, the song has a steady, head-nodding groove that gives its melody plenty of breathing room.
When he sings, “I’m not really strings attached / ‘Cause personality-wise, I don’t go matching that,” there’s an almost playful attempt to keep his feelings at a distance. Yet the carefree imagery of driving together with the roof down tells another story. He sounds completely comfortable in this person’s company. The chorus is memorable without trying too hard, although the relatively consistent arrangement could use a little more variation. Still, its understated approach is precisely what gives “Better” its charm.
