Dawn FM by The Weeknd | Album Review
A love letter to the ’80s and an artistic reinvention for The Weeknd
We’re only one week into the new year and already the bar for the music scene has been set thanks to The Weeknd. After dropping hints of new music throughout last year with the phrase “the dawn is coming”, and teasing the imminent release of his new album last week on New Year's day, Dawn FM has arrived. The album is a follow-up to his 2020 release After Hours, and thematically is the polar opposite to the latter album almost entirely.
If you were expecting anything similar to his earlier, darker mixtapes you're going to be either severely disappointed or extremely ecstatic. From start to finish Dawn FM is an incredibly upbeat, 80’s synth-pop romp fest. A complete deviation from anything Abel has done musically in the past decade and something that will almost surely divide hardcore fans but yet, The Weeknd makes it work surprisingly well. Thanks in part to a plethora of infectious hooks, amazing production, and an overall vibe that we may all need right now in these unpredictable times.
Dawn FM might also be The Weeknd’s most left-field project to date. If not for its production but most definitely for its radio-themed concept as Abel transitions from life to death with the help of Jim Carrey and Quincy Jones, guiding him towards the light. While Abel has dipped his toes into the waters of synth-pop in the past many times, Dawn FM sees him fully engulf himself in this sound. This radio-themed concept album acts as both a love letter to the music that inspired it and as an artistic reinvention for the singer we know as The Weeknd.
Personally speaking, some of my all-time favorite Weeknd songs are those retro-homages (“Wanderlust”, “A Lonely Night”). Having an album that is solely just synth-wave jams was something that I’ve yearned for, and finally, Abel has delivered on that promise. Thanks in part to contributions from Max Martin, Swedish House Mafia, and Oneohtrix Point Never among others. The latter of whom not only executive produced the album but allows his experimental electronics to bleed into practically every song.
The songs here are full of life, drenched in synths and four-on-the-floor beats. There’s a non-stop groove throughout the entire album that makes Dawn FM feel like a never-ending disco party. Songs such as the house-inspired “How Do I Make You Love Me?” or the very Michael Jackson-esque “Sacrifice” (both produced by SHM) shine and glimmer. Matter of fact the first half of the album is all about the party, with a majority of the groove-driven songs taking center stage. The second half of the album makes room for slow, synth-wave ballads. Most of which blends glitchy electronica with Abel’s usual mainstay of vocal-heavy ballads.
While the sonics here are much more positive sounding, The Weeknd’s nihilistic bouts are present throughout, albeit with far less cynicism as heard on 2020's After Hours. Imagining the transition from purgatory to heaven (or the dawn) as being stuck in traffic, the album loosely follows a concept by introducing 103.5 Dawn FM. An evangelical radio station hosted by Jim Carrey guides listeners to the light. Straight from the get-go, as Carrey exclaims on the opener “Dawn FM”: (“You’ve been in the dark for way too long, it’s time to walk into the light and accept your fate with open arms”).
In the case of The Weeknd, his “transition” is coming to terms with his brooding ways that have haunted him for all these years. Lyrically while he still does tap into his selfish ways, like on the aforementioned “Sacrifice” with lines like (“When you cry and say you miss me, I lie and tell you that I’ll never leave.”). Or the aptly titled “I Heard You’re Married” with Lil Wayne. A majority of the album is spent on Abel being in the other person’s shoes. He’s willing to do whatever it takes, whereas in the past he would’ve dropped this person and moved on to another.
It showcases a sense of maturity not seen before on a Weeknd album. This feeling of love is felt throughout as he attempts to win their heart back again on “Out of Time” (“If he mess up a little, baby you know my line.”) which transitions nicely from “A Tale By Quincy” interlude in which the legendary producer discusses how his own traumas have plagued every relationship he’s had.
Abel is willing to do anything if it means winning a shot at love. Whether it be engaging in whatever dangerous kinks they’re into on the previously released “Take My Breath” or even to just acknowledge him if only for a little bit before kicking him to the curb on “Starry Eyes”. His vulnerability takes full force on songs like “Don’t Break My Heart” and “Is There Someone Else?” Where Abel asks his former lover if they’re seeing somebody else, as he knows everybody involved would be hurt, despite his longing to stay with them.
By the album’s end, Abel eventually reaches the light on “Less Than Zero”, where he accepts the fact that he might not be able to change his ways, the guilt of breaking his former lover’s heart eats away at him on the song’s hook (“I can’t get it out of my head, I can’t shake this feeling that crawls through my bed.”). However he feels at peace now knowing that he can accept that his lover wants nothing to do with him, and he no longer has to worry if they love him back. Jim Carrey returns to conclude Dawn FM on the spoken word track “Phantom Regret”. Echoing the notion of being heaven to see heaven, or as Carrey puts it (“You gotta unwind your mind, train your soul to align, and dance ’til you find that divine boogaloo.”). It speaks not only to Abel but to listeners as well, alluding to the past two years the world has collectively faced. It’s a well-placed reminder for all to be at peace with themselves. In the case of the album, perhaps to keep on dancing until you find your own inner peace, much like Abel does.
While I did enjoy the album tremendously, there are still a few bits that still don’t sit well with me. I’m still trying to like songs such as “Gasoline” and “Here We Go… Again”, the latter of which features Tyler, the Creator, and the former seeing Abel attempt a Euro-dance style voice which I still find odd to listen to. Even “Best Friends” is still a song that I feel doesn’t fit well with the whole album, but again over time, I may come to like it for what it is.
Overall though, Dawn FM is yet another great album from the Toronto crooner. Hearing him finally dive deep into this retro, synth-wave sound has been a long time coming, but it’s a feat that Abel does effortlessly throughout the album. The upbeat production matches surprisingly well with the album’s concept and makes for one of Abel’s most creative projects he’s put out in his entire career.
I’m giving Dawn FM an 8/10. While there are still a few bumps throughout the album I’m not quite fond of, I can’t say I was disappointed. This is the album that The Weeknd has been wanting to make for a very long time, as evident by his dedication to honing in on a synth-heavy sound, and crafting an overarching story not done before on previous albums. It also seems like this will open up new doors for The Weeknd, Dawn FM feels like Abel finally decided to take full creative liberties with his music, and it’s a choice that could effectively change what we know of The Weeknd. Is this a change that could elevate Abel to another level of his career? Only time will tell.
Favourite Tracks: Dawn FM, How Do I Make You Love Me? Take My Breath, Sacrifice, Out of Time, Is There Someone Else? Starry Eyes, Don’t Break My Heart, I Heard You’re Married, Less Than Zero, Phantom Regret.
Listen to Dawn FM: Apple Music | Spotify
