Music : THE WEEKND RETURNS WITH FIFTH ALBUM, ‘DAWN FM’

Two years after embracing the After Hours, The Weeknd has returned with the release of his fifth album, Dawn FM.

“I started writing the album during the pandemic. Which felt like we’re all in this scary, unknown territory. And I wanted to make music I thought sounded like going outside.” The Weeknd revealed in a November interview with Billboard. “I was obsessed with that feeling. I just felt like I didn’t know how to make this album until now. It probably would be too ambitious for me prior. I knew what I liked, but I felt like I didn’t have the skill sets to deliver that type of project until now.”

“Picture the album being like the listener is dead. And they’re stuck in this purgatory state, which I always imagined would be like being stuck in traffic waiting to reach the light at the end of the tunnel,” he continued. “And while you’re stuck in traffic, they got a radio station playing in the car, with a radio host guiding you to the light and helping you transition to the other side. So it could feel celebratory, could feel bleak, however you want to make it feel, but that’s what [Dawn FM] is for me.”

Two months later, the album is here.

“Everything feels chaotic again. Music can heal and that feels more important than another album rollout,” The Weeknd said earlier this week. “Let’s just drop the whole thing and enjoy it with the people.”

And while some might argue the above statement is a rollout in itself, Abel stayed true to the second part as he broadcasted the album worldwide on Twitch ahead of its release to streaming.

A 16-track affair, the album comes equipped with contributions from Jim Carrey, Quincey Jones, Tyler, the Creator, Lil Wayne, and Oneohtrix Point Never.

1. “Dawn FM”
2. “Gasoline”
3. “How Do I Make You Love Me?”
4. “Take My Breath”
5. “Sacrifice”
6. “A Tale by Quincy [Jones]”
7. “Out of Time”
8. “Here We Go… Again” ft. Tyler, the Creator
9. “Best Friends”
10. “Is There Someone Else?”
11. “Starry Eyes”
12. “Every Angel Is Terrifying”
13. “Don’t Break My Heart”
14. “I Heard You’re Married” ft. Lil Wayne
15. “Less Than Zero”
16. “Phantom Regret by Jim [Carrey]”

Press play and be sure to add Dawn FM wherever you get music.