Since El Paso singer Khalid made his 2016 debut, he has been among R&B’s freshest faces—he was still in high school when his breakout single, “Location,” started gaining traction. Even then, his voice shone through, fully-formed and without a hint of immaturity. On “Shot Down,” from his forthcoming first album American Teen, his gravelly timbre is the star once again. Over sparse keys and simple percussion, Khalid recounts the tale of an all-consuming love that he surrendered to completely. With an unhurried snare pattern and finger snaps setting the pace, the production highlights Khalid’s soulful, sincere vocals, which despite their power stop short of being overwrought. While it’s easy to hear “Shot Down” as a conventional song to a lover, it could just as easily be about Khalid’s devotion to his art: the beautiful, heartfelt ballads that are sure to keep knocking you off your feet.