The Weeknd, just like everyone else, has been through an isolated pandemic since releasing “After Hours,” in March 2020. His latest album, “Dawn FM,” transports listeners from that dark into a danceable ’80s dream.
For a mature and more playful persona, who is most interested in dancing off the pains of melancholia and the pandemic through the 16 tracks on the singer’s new album, Toronto-born Singer has left behind the blood-slashed and manic supervillain.
“Dawn FM,” the singer’s most innovative project, is undoubtedly his best. The album is a radio station. It features autobiographical storytelling by Quincy Jones, a comedian and actor Jim Carrey as a DJ. You’ll also find advert breaks for fictional afterlife products, and a radio jingle that plays every few songs.
Carrey’s voice says, “You are now listening 103.5 Dawn FM… You’ve been in darkness too long,” in the first track. “It’s the right time to step into the light.”
The album features many collaborations, including Tyler, the Creator’s “Here We Go…Again”, which has backup vocals from Bruce Johnston, the Beach Boys’ Bruce Johnston, and Calvin Harris and Lil Wayne’s “I Heard You’re Married” respectively. Also, “How Do You Make You Love Me?” contains a sample from the Swedish House Mafia’s “How Do You Make You Love me?” “Sacrifice”, which also includes a sample of “I Want to Thank You” by Alicia Myer, is another reference to dance-pop-infused ’80s.
The Weeknd’s dark lyrics and angelic voice are still evident. The track order is representative of the relationship’s arc. The Grammy-winning Grammy-winning lovebird sings “Gasoline” and says, “I love when you watch me fall asleep.” At the album’s halfway point, he’s deep in regret about “Out of Time” while he’s also love-scarred on “Don’t Break My Heart”. The album’s maturity can be seen in “Phantom Regret”, the closing track. Carrey wrote it and said, “Heaven is for those who let down regret.”
A singer who is known for making even the most happy soul feel deep pain has created an escape that can make it difficult to stay still. It sounds like the chaotic mix of sad lyrics, dance music, and, at times, tweeting birds above the sound of gushing falls doesn’t make sense. But, there are no rules in our world.
Carrey’s closing words at the album’s conclusion sum up the album spiritually: “May peace with you.”
