Finally, the news we’ve all been waiting for! The Weeknd is kicking off the new year with a new album.
After much anticipation, the XO superstar has officially announced that his fifth studio album dawn FM will arrive this Friday, Jan. 7.
He made the announcement in a trailer that promises a “new sonic universe from the mind of The Weeknd.”
The 1-minute-long clip lists an all-star cast of contributors including Quincy Jones, Tyler, the Creator, Lil Wayne, and Oneohtrix Point Never.
Abel transforms once again into an elderly version of himself, while Jim Carrey provides narration.
“You are now listening to 103.5, dawn FM,” says the narrator. “You’ve been in the dark for way too long. It’s time to walk into the light and accept your faith with open arms.”
In August, The Weeknd kicked off the dawn era with the album’s lead single, “Take My Breath.”
“It’s the album I’ve always wanted to make,” he told GQ, who described his new music as “Quincy Jones meets Giorgio Moroder meets the best-night-of-your-fu**ing-life party records.”
Days before posting the trailer, the star on Saturday hinted that something big was coming. “Wake up at dawn tomorrow…,” he tweeted Sunday.
He also shared a screenshot of text messages between him and his creative director, XO Records co-founder La Mar Taylor, on Instagram where they chatted about the album.
“Happy New Year brother! What we thinking ??” Taylor asked.
“Happy new year! Everything feels chaotic again,” the “Save Your Tears” singer replied. “Music can heal and that feels more important than another album rollout. Let’s just drop the whole thing and enjoy it with the people… XO.”
Dawn FM, his fifth studio album marks the follow-up to March 2020 “After Hours” which topped the Billboard 200 for four consecutive weeks and spawned the smash hit “Blinding Lights,” which was crowned the No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 Song of All Time.
According to his website, The Weeknd is set to embark on the After Hours til Dawn Stadium Tour this summer, traveling to North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Written with context from Rap Up & People.
