Atwood Journal’s writers discover the storytelling and songcraft of ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow,’ The Weeknd’s sixth LP and the climactic finale of his newest album trilogy – one that will additionally mark the tip of Abel Tesfaye’s period beneath his iconic pseudonym.
Featured listed below are Atwood writers Bárbara Mtz, Josh Weiner, Juls Patterson, and Lauren Turner!
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To begin, what’s your relationship with The Weeknd’s music?
Josh Weiner: Yeah, I’ve been a fan for about 10 years now. “Can’t Really feel My Face” was the primary hit track of his I keep in mind listening to on the radio, again in 2015, and I recall “Love Me Tougher,” “The Hills,” “Within the Night time” and others being well-liked round that point as properly. I’ve continued to hearken to the Weeknd’s music commonly ever since and had the nice fortune of catching him on the After Daybreak Tour in Chicago in 2022– a stellar efficiency, capped off with a rendition of the almighty “Blinding Lights,” was fairly the night, relaxation assured!
Juls Patterson: I admittedly was very younger when Home of Balloons got here out – studying to write down in cursive younger. That being stated, I used to be on Tumblr for its peak years by the point I used to be in center college, and I discovered him that method. Regardless that I used to be just a little younger to grasp what he was speaking about, I felt seen by way of his references. The Seaside Home and Siouxie Sioux samples on my two favourite songs, “Home Of Balloons/Glass Desk Ladies” and “The Celebration & The After Celebration,” made me perceive the place he was coming from along with his influences and the context during which his work existed. Since then, it doesn’t matter what my musical preferences are, I all the time take the time to take a seat down and listen to what new music he’s put out.
Bárbara Mtz: The Weeknd entered my music radar along with his second studio album: Magnificence Behind the Insanity. “Can’t Really feel My Face” and “Earned It” from Fifty Shades of Gray had been highly regarded, and when Starboy got here out, he turned one of many artists I’d hearken to on repeat. His R&B and in addition synthwave touches make him a particular artist to me, as a fan of something that belongs to the digital or synth pop style. I went to the After Hours til Daybreak Tour, and the expertise of his reside vocals, his creativeness and set designs, and his reinvention of genres and sounds had been sufficient to comprehend he is among the artists I love most.
Lauren Turner: My relationship with The Weeknd’s music goes again a decade as properly. I keep in mind listening to “Depraved Video games” in a buddy’s automotive in highschool and questioning who the musician was, main me down a rabbit gap of discovery. By the point Magnificence Behind The Insanity entered the world, I used to be a full fan of his work. It got here out in my peak highschool years, once I was 16. I keep in mind everybody being obsessive about it and it was the one factor ever on. “The Hills,” “Can’t Really feel My Face” and “Earned It” had been on each radio station and taking up. However I keep in mind falling head over heels for “Darkish Occasions” and “Angel.” These songs actually wowed me and made me excited to proceed seeing what would come from The Weeknd. And my oh my have I been wowed time and again.
What are your preliminary impressions and reactions to Hurry Up Tomorrow?
Juls: I’ve combined emotions on album trilogies, which is type of an ironic stance to have as a fan of The Weeknd. I believe it may be exhausting to drag off a trilogy with out it changing into drained. It’s important to make three separate tasks (clearly) that sound sonically related and discover a cohesive theme, and there can come some extent the place it feels such as you’re dragging issues out. This was my foremost concern going into Hurry Up Tomorrow. It’s very bloated and has a a lot stronger again half, so on my first pay attention, I used to be terrified that I used to be going to hate the complete factor. That being stated, it’s very tight production-wise, and there are some main hits in right here. I believe Tesfaye could be very connected to his story on this file, which I admire, however I believe it stopped him from trimming a number of the fats. After I cherished it, I cherished it, however when it dragged, it actually dragged.
Bárbara: I anticipated that, as a closure to the trilogy, it needed to be a very good closure, one which would go away followers glad and, maybe, much more impressed. Certainly one of my foremost expectations was additionally that the sounds of this album can be very acquainted, but my impression was that I can’t say that it’s one thing that we’ve heard from Tesfaye earlier than. He as soon as once more proved he’s experimental, with a large variation of genres that go from Brazilian funk to pop. What made me really feel actually constructive about this album had been the options as properly. Appearances similar to Florence and the Machine, Lana Del Rey, and Travis Scott positive lit up the tracklist with their mentions.
Josh: My first impression earlier than even listening to the album was: “Woah. 84 minutes? That’s fairly lengthy for an LP!” However having made my method by way of the album in three chunks in the present day, I can verify that the size isn’t as daunting as I had initially suspected it will be, because it’s an entertaining and energetic pay attention that in the end passes by fairly rapidly. It’s nice to see the Weeknd obtain such spectacular consistency all through his catalogue now that he’s been round for so long as he’s lasted.
Lauren: Each time I hearken to a brand new album, I hearken to it totally by way of, track by track, so as. I haven’t had a listening expertise like I did with Hurry Up Tomorrow in a sizzling minute. And it was merely that – an expertise. I used to be dancing round my kitchen at occasions, leaping when a transition hit easily and crying over lyrics. His artistry has and can all the time be one thing I may discuss all day, and I believe it actually confirmed throughout this piece of labor. Hurry Up Tomorrow might be dissected and studied for years to return, and I believe that claims quite a bit about an artist and the work they put into the world, no matter whether or not you’re personally drawn to it or not. I additionally totally agree with Josh. I used to be nervous with how lengthy the size of this album is, however with its leisure and vitality the time handed rapidly and I used to be like “Properly, now what?”
How does this album evaluate to The Weeknd’s previous releases – what are probably the most hanging similarities or variations?
Juls: It’s clear he put a lot of work into referencing his complete discography. He’s experimenting rather a lot with manufacturing, whereas permitting his lyrics to harken again to his early materials in some ways. As an illustration, I believe “Cry For Me” suits excellent on My Pricey Melancholy, and “Opening Night time” may have been on Starboy. I believe this degree of self-reference is each an enormous power for continuity’s sake and his largest weak point. It’s vital to inform the story he’s telling, however I discovered myself wishing he would reinvent the wheel at factors. Hurry Up Tomorrow is at its strongest when it sounds nothing like what I’ve heard from him but, however that is close to inconceivable for him to drag off with the idea he’s engaged on.
Bárbara: A similarity in The Weeknd’s albums is that they’re centered on a narrative. In fact, synth-pop or R&B kinds are additionally a typical consider his previous and up to date work, however there’s additionally a storyline. Every of his albums, a minimum of within the trilogy, characterize one thing totally different. A starting, a center, a closure. Moreover, Hurry Up Tomorrow might be probably the most genre-diverse album of the three. The themes of the albums are totally different as properly. Daybreak FM represents a journey in the direction of the “mild on the finish of the tunnel” and it might be stated that his new album is brighter, with hope and redemption.
Josh: Even earlier than you begin formally dissecting Hurry Up Tomorrow, I believe it’s fairly simply recognizable as a piece by the identical creator of After Hours, DAWN FM, and different entries within the Weeknd’s catalogue. It helps that he’s aiming for a similar degree of sonic grandiosity this time round, and in addition has employed a number of producers he’s labored with up to now (Metro Boomin and Swedish Home Mafia amongst them). So yeah, this one can slide onto the shelf fairly simply alongside the Weeknd’s different albums.
Lauren: The Weeknd has all the time been a storyteller at his core who likes to experiment and create one thing he’s proud to place out into the world. He views music at its depth, a vital type of artwork. When this album from a zoomed-out lens, that’s precisely what I see. One other creative masterpiece so as to add to his assortment. Nonetheless, when zooming in, like my fellow writers have talked about, it does mirror a variety of his earlier work, even earlier than this particular trilogy he’s engaged on. With rumors floating round that this might be Abel Tesfaye’s final album as The Weeknd, I believe that’s precisely what this album must be. A journey by way of not solely this trilogy and ending this particular story, however the story of The Weeknd in its entirety. With the themes of demise actually being a middle level all through Hurry Up Tomorrow, all of it is sensible. It’s The Weeknd – up to now, current and future.
Hurry Up Tomorrow is described because the “closing and most private chapter” of the trilogy collection that started with Daybreak FM and After Hours. How does this file shut that trilogy, and what are your takeaways from these three data?
Juls: Very first thing first, I believe it says quite a bit that the rollout for Hurry Up Tomorrow was nowhere close to as grand because it was for the earlier two. It created a precedent that this file can be extra private, an actual ardour mission, and I’m grateful I went in with this expectation. After Hours is all about self-destruction, which is sensible, contemplating the themes of his data prior. Even on the duvet, he’s coated in his personal blood, nonetheless grinning. He’s embracing the hurt he’s inflicting, letting it wash throughout him. Daybreak FM is his second for self-reflection – a number of the first lyrics are “You’ve been in the dead of night for method too lengthy. It’s time to stroll into the sunshine and settle for your destiny with open arms. Scared? Don’t fear.” It’s the thesis of the file. He’s understanding who he really is, what he’s accomplished, and the best way to launch these habits. By the point we attain Hurry Up Tomorrow, he’s reached self-acceptance (in spite of everything, he’s dying quickly). I believe this trilogy is probably going a fictionalized model of what he was dwelling within the time of his earlier work, and this file was sure to be probably the most private, as tasks about escaping dependancy and self-harm all the time are. It’s an ode to what he’s gone by way of and who he’s due to it.
Bárbara: The three albums had been good albums that made Tesfaye’s stage title larger and extra famend. I imagine this is among the trilogies I like most, and that I grew up with, so following the story has been an thrilling expertise. I believe this can be a good closure to that trilogy, with totally different or creative manufacturing selections and a number of other themes, amongst them redemption. It’s the most private chapter of the collection, and its true ending (the final track) turned spectacular to many, together with myself, as a result of it comes full circle with the transition to his first track ever, “Excessive for This.”
Josh: Like I stated in my reply above, I believe you may establish the sonic continuity between this new album and his final couple ones simply sufficient. The narrative continuity between these works is just a little trickier for me, however as greatest I can inform, Juls has completely nailed it of their reply above, so I’d be snug going with their stream on this one.
Lauren: I’d fully agree with that assertion. It does feels closing and does really feel like probably the most private chapter but. Actually, I’d even argue Hurry Up Tomorrow is The Weeknd’s most private file in his discography. Juls actually hit it spot on! Couldn’t agree extra with that reply.
The Weeknd teased Hurry Up Tomorrow with the singles “Timeless” and “Sao Paulo.” Are these trustworthy representations of the album?
Juls: Sure and no. I believe they’re positively very robust songs, a number of the most memorable on the file, and so they’re excellent advertising and marketing materials for the “vibe” of the album, so to talk. Nonetheless, if I went in anticipating an album filled with songs like “Timeless” and “Sao Paulo,” I’d have discovered myself underwhelmed by the slower sections on this file, most of which lie within the first half. These two tracks, whereas absolute bangers, would make me itch for a membership file, which Hurry Up Tomorrow isn’t.
Bárbara: I don’t imagine they set up a particular theme or temper, however they do inform the album might be numerous in manufacturing and instrumentals. “Timeless” is extra of a rap and R&B monitor, whereas “Sao Paulo” stays within the digital spectrum whereas having its bursts of Funk carioca. Additionally, they function a touch on the excellent options that might additionally are available the remainder of the album.
Josh: On the subject of singles, it’s fairly stunning that “Dancing In The Flames,” already an authorized hit, didn’t make the minimize right here (particularly on condition that the file is already 84 minutes lengthy; would extending that to 88 minutes and making room for “DITF” have actually been so past cause?). However placing that a lot apart for now, I can nonetheless vibe with “Timeless” and “São Paulo,” as they’re energetic and well-executed numbers, similar to a lot of the remainder of the file. On that elementary degree, they’re consultant of the remainder of Hurry Up Tomorrow.
Lauren: I battle with this query. At first, I’d say no. However with a second thought, possibly? I believe it’s exhausting to consider as a result of every track is its personal a part of the story and no two are the identical. Bárbara’s reply of those two singles not establishing a particular theme or temper however telling how numerous in manufacturing and instrumentals is my thought course of too. I assumed to myself, “If I reply this query with no… what would I’ve chosen because the singles?” And I couldn’t reply it. Every track serves its personal objective and provides its personal ingredient to the mission.
Which track(s) stand out for you on the album, and why?
Juls: My favourite track on the file is “Open Hearts,” which involves me as no shock. It looks like a sister track to “Sacrifice,” my favourite track on Daybreak FM. On my first pay attention, when these synths kicked in for the refrain, I turned to my accomplice and stated, “That, by itself, is sufficient to make me purchase a ticket to see him reside.” It’s such an amazing second, and I want extra of the file was stuffed with bits like that.
Bárbara: For me, “São Paulo” is a track that stands out for me on the album. It has fairly a mixture of genres since its very starting, after all combining a mode of Brazilian funk, electropop, and synth-wave. The track deviates from different rhythms within the album, and that makes it particular sufficient for its riskiness in addition to for its that means (Sao Paulo was town the place The Weeknd carried out to debut songs of this album). One other track that stands out is “Open Hearts.” It’s catchy, euphoric, and it reinforces The Weeknd’s standard type as properly.
Josh: I agree that “Open Hearts” and “São Paulo” had been true bangers, and I additionally suppose it’s nifty that he collaborated with Lana Del Rey once more for the primary time in seven years (I believe) on “The Abyss.” Time and repeat listens will inform what emerges as my favourite tracks from this file, however these are a number of the ones that come to thoughts for now.
Lauren: I’ve been connected to “Cry For Me” and “Open Hearts” ever for the reason that first pay attention. They’ve been on a relentless repeat for me. “Cry For Me” jogs my memory a variety of a few of The Weeknd’s starting days. The refrain additionally blends ache and sweetness inside this depth of craving that’s distinctive to hearken to. On the subject of “Open Hearts,” the monitor makes me need to dance beneath a disco ball within the ‘80s however the lyrics hit exhausting. “The place do I begin once I open my coronary heart? It’s by no means simple falling in love once more/ Cowl my scars once I open my arms,” are some traces that pertain to a really relatable expertise all of us undergo. However I like how The Weeknd contradicts these traces with the upbeat rhythm. It virtually displays the sensation of falling in love once more when the previous comes again to hang-out you.
Do you will have any favourite lyrics thus far? Which traces stand out?
Juls: I believe my favourite a part of the file is the by way of line of preferring delusion to actual life, and I appreciated going together with the persona he performs as he lets go of this idea going into his “demise.” The longer the file goes on, the much less he talks about partying and the extra he discusses ache. About midway by way of on “Benefit from the Present,” he says, “I simply wanna die once I’m at my f*ing peak.” The half that stands out probably the most to me, although, is on “Pink Terror.” The music dies down, and he says, “Loss of life is nothing in any respect, it doesn’t depend/I’ve solely slipped into the subsequent room/Nothing has occurred/All the pieces stays precisely the way it was/I’m I, and you’re you.” It’s a really gorgeous sentiment.
Bárbara: The lyrics from “Cry for Me” are heartbreaking and painful, one thing that all the time will get my consideration when singers attempt to transmit that by way of music. The themes of remorse, despair, ache, wanting one thing to be reciprocal, additionally jogged my memory of certainly one of his hottest songs, “Die for You.” But this track isn’t a lot about him, however about demanding or wishing from the opposite particular person the exact same he has felt and given. Traces from the final monitor, “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” I imagine stand out, too. As an ending, they’ve to talk masses, and there are numerous essential closing lyrics on this track. “And I hope that I discover what I’m in search of,” “I failed her like I failed myself, I’m sorry,” “And I’ve been attempting to fill that void that my father left,” and “I hope this confession is sufficient” are a number of the traces that, lastly, tell us he’s modified the way in which he sees his life and himself.
Josh: Oh man… 84 minutes’ value of music means a variety of lyrics to select from! However I admire Juls and Barbara’s analyses of the passages they’ve chosen, and (simply to quote one random instance) I’ll add that I love the metaphorical work at play in “Reflections Laughing”: “I’m trapped inside a gilded cage, a golden blade I’m sharpening.” Oh, the perils of fame….
Lauren: Like we now have all type of mentioned all through this piece, there’s such a connection between this album and the idea of therapeutic and forgiveness in hopes for a brand new life rooted in peace and understanding. With that being stated, there have been traces from two songs that caught out to me and actually made me cease in my tracks and mirror upon that idea Tesfaye was drilling all through this file. The primary one being, “I’ve been baptized in concern, my pricey/ Like Paul, I’m the chief of sin/ Washing my soul from inside” from “Baptized In Worry.” The second from “Hurry Up Tomorrow” being, “Achieved with the lies, accomplished with the loss/ Hope my confession is sufficient/ So I see Heaven after life/ I would like Heaven, once I die/ I need to change.” To me, these type of go in tandem. The Weeknd is begging for forgiveness, hoping his confession (this album) is sufficient to land him a spot in Heaven (eternal peace). It’s a exhausting thought to even attempt to totally grasp and perceive, however one thing about it wowed me and actually gave an understanding to how heavy the whole lot on this album has been weighing on him. It’s the rawest I’ve ever seen Tesfaye in his music.
The place do you are feeling Hurry Up Tomorrow sits within the pantheon of The Weeknd’s discography?
Juls: I’ve a bias in the direction of his earlier work, which is partially a sonic desire and partially nostalgia. I contemplate Hurry Up Tomorrow a combined bag: it holds a few of his strongest tracks, greatest manufacturing, and most attention-grabbing lyrics, however it additionally harbors some actual sleepers. Because of this, I can’t rank it too excessive, however I do discover it to be the cleanest of this trilogy.
Bárbara: I don’t suppose it’s his greatest album, however to display his creativity and multifarious works, this is able to maybe be the correct album. This album has essential, transcending tracks; but the album as a complete, can’t be on the prime of the record. There are temporary, transitioning bits which are additionally fractions of the story, but maybe can’t be thought of necessities.
Josh: I agree with Bárbara that it’s possibly not his best possible album, however that’s primarily simply because the competitors for the highest spot is fairly fierce for an artist with a list this robust and constant (DAWN FM may simply be atop the rostrum for me, although). Nonetheless, I can definitely applaud Hurry Up Tomorrow by itself deserves and really feel snug rating it as certainly one of his three or 4 greatest LPs off the bat.
Lauren: Like Juls, Bárbara and Josh have stated, I’m undecided if that is my favourite album of his. Nonetheless, the artistry and manufacturing inside this file are gorgeous.
Abel Tesfaye has stated that this is perhaps his final album as ‘The Weeknd.’ With that in thoughts, how does Hurry Up Tomorrow fare as a swan track? How does it serve to crystallize The Weeknd’s 16-year legacy?
Josh: I imply, I believe the chances of this truly being The Weeknd’s closing album are about nearly as good as The Black Album’s odds of truly being Jay-Z’s final album had been when that “retirement file” got here out again in 2003. 🙂 However let’s play a vastly far-fetched recreation of “what if” and picture how we’ll look again afterward if that is certainly Mr. Tesfaye’s closing act beneath his present onstage persona. It doesn’t matter what, I’m positive we’ll all admire The Weeknd as one of many defining musical artists of the primary quarter of the twenty first century– that a lot has just about already been assured– and we’ll look again at Hurry Up Tomorrow because the file that allowed him to shut out his signature inventive act in stellar type. Once more, I severely doubt we ever have to fret about being in stated predicament, however you already know, there’s all the time that “what if,” isn’t there?
Juls: I believe Hurry Up Tomorrow serves as a improbable finish to this run, and I’d be excited to see what Tesfaye works on sooner or later. For my part, the persona he embodies all through all of those data can solely take him thus far, and he’s wrapped up this run on the excellent time. He’s introduced collectively all the weather of the whole lot he’s labored on, from the polished synths in his current music to the lyrical stylings of his earliest work. He samples “In Heaven” by David Lynch on the titular closing monitor, which looks like an attractive, existential sendoff. The final track additionally transitions fantastically into “Excessive For This,” his first ever monitor. His first lyrics on stated track are, “You don’t know what’s in retailer, however you already know what you’re right here for.” His closing lyrics on “Hurry Up Tomorrow” are merely, “No extra, no extra, no extra.” All of it feels very meticulous, like a narrative deliberate from the start. If that is it, I contemplate this mission the proper finale.
Bárbara: This album is perhaps an amazing goodbye for The Weeknd. Though not his biggest album within the trilogy, it’s a tribute to earlier work and in addition an ode to his previous and current self. It’s a demonstration of a few of his most vivid traits as an artist: originality, innovation, and imaginative and prescient. We see a distinct, advanced artist, and but there’s nostalgia for the artist from “Starboy” or the After Hours album. Many good issues have good endings, and I’d say this album represents that. The transition to his first track, “Excessive For This,” has been described as an countless loop. In addition to the query or perception that The Weeknd character is caught within the loop perpetually, it may additionally imply one thing to the listener: The Weeknd’s legacy could also be long-lasting.
Lauren: I can positively see this being The Weeknd’s final album. However I don’t see this being Abel Tesfaye’s final album. In simplicity, I believe Hurry Up Tomorrow is The Weeknd’s fact. I believe it’s the completion of him telling his story. It takes all the opposite albums earlier than this one and says, “Here’s what I assumed. This was my expertise. I’m wanting ahead to the longer term.” So, to me, I believe that’s one hell of a option to say goodbye.
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