Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, known as The Weeknd is a musical genius when it comes to the release of his newest album. Releasing it just two days before one of the biggest days in music, The Grammys, “Hurry Up Tomorrow” is growing rapidly. 

The Weeknd is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer who originally gained attention in 2010 by anonymously releasing music on YouTube. Since then, he has left an impact on many people. Abel holds an extremely prominent position in Spotify’s best artist tab highlighting his talent throughout his entire career. Senior Tasha Otoka explains how “The Weeknd or Abel is [her] favorite artist because of his wide variety of music as some of his songs I can sing to while others are more rap. I also really enjoy how all his songs include a heavy beat.” 

The album “Hurry Up Tomorrow” is a trilogy with his previous two albums “After Hours” and “Dawn FM.” 

Senior Olivia Dorn says she has, “been waiting for new music from The Weeknd for a while so when [she] heard he was going to release a new album [she] was really looking forward to it.” 

I took note of many of the messages and musical elements while listening to this album. 

My notes while listening to the album: 

1. Wake Me Up (feat. Justice) – The song starts slow but shows a dynamic collaboration between Abel’s signature vocals and Justice’s electronic elements. The song speeds up and this sets the scene for the entire album as it beautifully fades into the next song.
2. Cry For Me – This is one of the most popular tracks on the album, already being streamed on the radio. Just two days after the release Abel performed this song on the biggest nights of music of the year. This ballad explores themes of heartbreak and longing. Once again, ‘Cry for Me’ fades seamlessly into the next song.
3. I Can’t ******* Sing – At only 12 seconds long this brief interlude provides a candid view of Abel. This 12 second helps provide a seamless listening experience between songs. Senior Olivia Dorn explains, “I do not mind the shorter songs on the album as I believe it provides a uniqueness to his music. ‘I Can’t ******* Sing’ fades well into ‘São Paulo’ which I really enjoy!”
4. São Paulo (with Anitta) – This song changes the vibe of the album as Annitta adds her Brazilian funk elements. This song brings vibrant energy to the album.
5. Until We are Skin & Bones – Like track number 3, this song only lasts 22 seconds. It acts as an alternate ending to ‘Sao Paulo’ to then allow for the upbeat energy to slow down for the next song. 
6. Baptized In Fear – This ballad explores themes of fear and vulnerability. This song uses a synth and belting to show Abel reminiscing on his older work. 
7. Open Hearts – This song demonstrates Abel’s influences from the ‘80s continuing the use of synth. This helps to fade each of the songs together easily while also incorporating danceable electronic beats to provide a return to the upbeat nature of the album
8. Opening Night – This is another short track. At only 1 minute and 36 seconds, this sets the stage for the subsequent tracks with the thematic elements of a performance. The entire album follows the journey of his performances.
9. Reflections Laughing (feat. Travis Scott, Florence + the Machine & Chxrry22) – Throughout the entire song, Florence + the Machine is used as backing vocals while Able sings for about the first half of the song. This is followed by a longing voicemail of Chxrry22 playing which transitions into Travis Scott’s verse. This slows down the rest of the song as the collaboration blends diverse musical styles. Another clip of a voicemail is played in the last part of the song allowing a jump into the next song.
10. Enjoy The Show (feat Future) – This highlights The Weeknd’s talent with Future’s prowess. It highlights the performative aspects of fame and the entertainment industry. 
11. Given Up on Me (feat Future) – This demonstrates emotions shown by both artists. It follows similar themes to ‘Enjoy the Show’ but shifts to being more self-reflective and internal.
12. I Can’t Wait to Get There – In this track, Abel demonstrates his falsetto ability while incorporating beautiful backing vocals from an unknown artist. This explores the anticipation of reaching a place of peace and fulfillment. 
13. Timeless (and Playboy Carti) – This song, released prior to the album’s release, is increasingly popular. The Weeknd and Playboy Carti’s collaboration provides a fun, catchy song.
14. Niagara Falls – This shows the highs and lows of life, especially when in the public eye. Niagra Falls is a metaphor to demonstrate emotional pain. The background vocals sound like an earlier Tyler the Creator album would use while the beats and primary vocals provide their own flare.
15. Take Me Back to LA – Everything from the beat of the song to the actual lyrics, portrays a sense of nostalgia while Abel reflects on his experiences in Los Angeles. 
16. Big Sleep – This continues the theme of a story being told throughout this album as the album started with ‘Wake Me Up.’ This explores the theme of escaping through sleep as a more mellow vibe is shown utilizing slow instrumentals. The song provides a dream-like feeling through the eerie note choices of these instrumentals.
17. Give Me Mercy – This song continues the slower vibe of the album while Abel explains his struggles with another person. He demonstrates how he has given up a lot for this person and just wants to be seen by them. 
18. Drive – This song picks up the tempo once again. It explores themes of happiness and freedom through the symbol of driving. The lyric “Be precious with my heart, drive me slow” shows how driving is the journey of his happiness, and he fears the experiences he has previously had, demonstrated in ‘Give Me Mercy.”
19. The Abyss (and Lana Del Ray) – This song juxtaposes the previous as it highlights darker themes. It explores emptiness, and despair while providing an interesting collaboration between the two artists. The piano in the background demonstrates the theme that people try to be what they are not. 
20. Red Terror – This track is deeply personal as it tells a story told from his mother’s point of view. It references real events in Ethiopia that Abel’s mother lived through. 
21. Without a Warning – Slowing the album down once again, this track reflects on the unpredictability of life and fame. It shows similar ideas to ‘Take Me Back to LA” as it provides longing for a previous time in his life. The lyric “The crowd will scream my name” paired with the background sounds of a crowd screaming, provides a linear story of his performances in the album. 
22. Hurry Up Tomorrow – This title track adds a cinematic and surreal layer to the album’s narrative, serving as a fitting conclusion to the album. 

The way this album flows demonstrates the journey of his entire musical journey. Senior Caroline Sullivan discussed that she “like[s] how the tracks on the album maintain the same vibe without getting boring. If you put the album on shuffle everything still flows together nicely as well as each song sounds amazing on its own as well.” With moments of fun contradicted with the very real moments of longing or despair develops a theme of the end of an era.