The Weeknd marked the end of an era at the Billboard Music Awards last April. He joked, “I’d want to thank God I don’t have to wear that red costume anymore,” referring to the wounded and bandaged persona he had assumed since late 2019. “After Hours is over, and dawn is approaching.” The dawn has finally arrived.
The Weeknd’s latest album, Dawn FM, was really only released a month ago, and the singer’s quick launch was made all the more puzzling by a cover image that featured him in old-man makeup reminiscent of an Eddie Murphy picture. Dawn FM, on the other side, does not have a worn-in sound. The Weeknd provides 16 dance floor-ready disco and new wave compositions (and many more TikTok challenges). Along with The Weeknd, he welcomes back odd-couple collaborators Max Martin and Oneohtrix Point Really not as production staff.
But, as Dawn FM points out, even while playing dead, both personas are always up for a good time…
1.103.5 Dawn FM is playing right now.
Tesfaye stated that his earliest attempts at crafting a follow-up to After Hours were plagued by depression, which spilled over into the music, during a virtual listening session with the press earlier this week.
2.Ssssssmokin’!
Before we go any further, let’s chat about this ubiquitous radio DJ, who is played by none other than… Tesfaye’s fellow Ontario native Jim Carrey. Tesfaye revealed in a 2020 interview with Variety that he and Carrey were neighbors who waved at each other from their respective L.A. homes using telescopes.
3. A celestial afterlife
Dawn FM also covers hits from Calvin Harris, Swedish House Mafia, and Oscar Holter, in addition to Martin and Oneohtrix. Unlike the featureless After Hours, Dawn FM’s environment is populated by recognized voices.
4. Having a poisonous sorrow is a must.
The Weeknd’s bread and butter is emotional instability; as according to his songs, his only brushes with love and joy have come through heavy drug use.
5. The usual liquored sounds, but with a spin
Dawn FM faithfully follows After Hours’ winning recipe of ’80s nostalgia. Tesfaye, on the other hand, makes good use of such whims while also throwing in a few surprises.