In a month of highly anticipated releases from Lil Uzi Vert, Jay Electronica, Childish Gambino, and many others, The Weeknd’s new album, After Hours, stole the show for me. Being completely honest, I did not expect this album to be anything special. Since The Weeknd’s breakout mixtapes were released, I have not been very impressed with his catalog. With The Weeknd’s most recent releases and stylistic changes, however, I tried to have high hopes going into the album.
Despite some hiccups in the tracklist, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to After Hours. One aspect that makes this album unique is the production – its combination of 80’s synth-pop and modern trap/R&B is something to behold. Whether it’s the breakneck beat on “Hardest to Love,” the intense synth hits on “Faith,” the blaring sax on “In Your Eyes,” or the overwhelming bass on “Until I Bleed Out,” the production captivates the listener.
While Abel Tesfaye’s lyrical themes – such as relationship struggles and drug use – have not changed drastically, the 80s aesthetic is very refreshing for the artist. Furthermore, the choruses are extremely catchy and the verses are dynamic and interesting throughout the album. Tesfaye shows his true vocal capabilities in songs like “Scared to Live” and “After Hours.” While fans of The Weeknd’s older and darker material might not like his new, brighter, style, I believe that Tesfaye has traded moody and monotonous songs for bright and exciting ballads.
The Verdict: For its bright and punchy production, interesting 80’s aesthetic, and The Weeknd’s overall performance, I believe that After Hours is March 2020’s Album of the Month.
AFTER HOURS
The Weeknd
8.4/10