Honestly, I know nothing about music or technical jargon—I’m just someone who loves music beyond reason. Listening to it isn’t enough anymore; at this point, I need to devour it, much like a hungry hippo feasting on their favorite bag of Doritos. That said, The Weeknd is one of those artists I am—let’s call it, healthily obsessed with. And guess what? He’s just dropped a brand-new album. You simply have to hear all about it (or in this case, read about it).
What makes the album stand out to me is the seamless transition between the tracks. Each song has been purposefully placed to enhance these transitions, creating a listening experience that’s remarkably fluid. Whether you use an app with or without a crossfade, the smoothness of the tracks remains intact. Even listening to each song on its own doesn’t diminish the enjoyment—they stand strong both individually and as a cohesive whole.
Some might argue that the album is too long, with its 22 songs spanning an hour and 25 minutes. But for me, the total duration isn’t the focus. Time flies when you are immersed in music. Personally, when I have my headphones on, I measure time by the number of tracks I’ve listened to rather than the minutes ticking by. So, an hour and 25 minutes? That’s “light work,” especially when every single second of the music is worth it.
The track list and featured artists are arranged as follows:
- Wake Me Up – The Weeknd & Justice
- Cry For Me
- I Can’t Fucking Sing – (A 13 second track that serves as the transitional bridge)
- São Paulo – The Weeknd & Anitta
- Until We’re Skin & Bones – (Another 23 seconds track that is a transitional bridge)
- Baptized in Fear
- Open Hearts
- Opening Night – (Another 1 minute 37 second track that is a transitional bridge)
- Reflections Laughing – The Weeknd, Travis Scott & Florence + The Machine
- Enjoy The Show – The Weeknd & Future
- Given Up On Me
- I Can’t Wait To Get There
- Timeless – The Weeknd & Playboi Carti
- Niagara Falls
- Take Me Back To LA
- Big Sleep – The Weeknd & Giorgio Moroder
- Give Me Mercy
- Drive
- The Abyss – The Weeknd & Lana Del Rey
- Red Terror
- Without A Warning
- Hurry Up Tomorrow
Some fans interpret “After Hours”, “Dawn FM”, and “Hurry Up Tomorrow” as a cohesive trilogy that tells a larger, interconnected story: It kicks off with After Hours, a single night where Abel wrestles with The Weeknd persona—a darker, hedonistic alter ego. He tries to break free but ultimately succumbs, symbolizing his metaphorical “death” at 4 a.m.
“Dawn FM” takes it up a notch: Abel’s stuck in a purgatory fueled by guilt, regrets, and, yes, a radio station guiding him through his soul-searching. “Hurry Up Tomorrow” wraps things up with Abel craving release and redemption, fighting to escape this endless loop while battling The Weeknd’s temptations of excess. Will he win? Who knows—it’s all up for interpretation!
Whether or not it was The Weeknd’s intention to craft a trilogy or embed deeper meanings into his music, one thing remains clear—his artistry is something I genuinely admire. Sometimes, I feel like I’m not smart enough to decipher every lyric or uncover every hidden layer in his songs. But honestly, that’s okay. Music doesn’t always need to be fully understood to be fully enjoyed. For me, it’s about immersing myself in the sound, letting it wash over me and simply enjoying it for what it is: an incredible experience.
