After not putting out an album for the year 2021, The Weeknd returns in 2022 with a hand-curated album by the singer himself. 103.5 Dawn FM marks the first real major album release for the year of any kind. In order to understand the meaning of both the album and The Weeknd himself, one must take a deeper look. 

One Barstow student and avid Weekend listener, Carter Michaelis ‘22, stated, “The flow is something I’ve never heard before. It felt unique, different, and was some kind of a mix of modern and retro. The Weeknd is really an innovator in the music industry, and I can’t wait to see when his next album comes out.” 

Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, returned to the music industry after taking a year off from music releases. The Weeknd’s last album, After Hours, was released in March of 2020 on the front end of the pandemic. 

The Weeknd, even on the heels of the pandemic, remained in the public eye. He performed in the Super Bowl halftime show in 2021, marking an important milestone in his jump into super-stardom. This accomplishment came as a result of his hit single “Blinding Lights,” which held a spot on the Billboard Top Ten for an entire year, and has received the title as the biggest Billboard Hot 100 song of all time. 

Dawn FM seems to represent a comeback. The album’s description reads, “The Weekend’s previous album After Hours was released right as the world was falling into the throes of the pandemic; after scrapping material that he felt was wallowing in the depression he was feeling at the time, Dawn FM arrives as a by-product of—and answer to—that turmoil.” 

The album starts off with a prologue that states, “You are now listening to 103.5 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… Scared? Don’t worry.. We’ll be there to hold your hand and guide you through this painless transition.. But what’s the rush? Just relax and enjoy another hour of commercial-free yourself music on 103.5 Dawn FM…Stay tuned… 103.5 Dawn FM,” continuing this feeling of rising from the ashes.

When analyzing The Weeknds’ work over many years, the progression of his style and presentation is apparent. The album’s description, via Apple Music, demonstrates this evolution as, “Here, he replaces woeful introspection with a bit of upbeat fantasy—the result of creatively searching for a way out of the claustrophobic reality of the previous two years.” 

After developing “Memento Mori,” an Apple Music radio show where he curates music for the station, the radio-station structure of the album seems fitting. The album’s FM organization distinguishes itself from the rest of his album portfolio in a unique fashion. The tracks present themselves like the daily song list for a radio station, with introductions intertwined within the album. 

The 16 songs on “Dawn FM” grapple with the idea of addiction in a way that differs from his other works. Focusing on the music alone, “Dawn FM” is a concept album that is far more advanced than even his smash hit previous album “After Hours” and the entirety of his discography to this point in his career. 

The record-breaking artist consciously made his new album different from a commercial-free broadcast by literally having a commercial incorporated into the twelfth track “Every Angel is Terrifying” while metaphorically sticking to the regular sounds that helped him reach the point where he is today. 

What also makes Dawn FM differ from a traditional commercial-free broadcast is the free-yourself aspect as the album delves into the concepts of human tendencies such as the longing for acceptance and regretting one’s past to concerns such as the importance of life and what happens after death. 

While there are many pros to the album, Dawn FM’s most glaring flaw is the repeated use of an 80’s soundtrack. The first 22 minutes of the album are so incredibly dense with that aesthetic that the high from the standout electropop track “Gasoline” had already diminished by the time you wonder if you accidentally hit repeat on “Take My Breath” when “Sacrifice” starts playing. Maybe it’s because of Dawn FM’s premise, but there are many times throughout the album where it actually feels like purgatory, with the endless pop groove feeling far more eerie than entertaining. 

The album thankfully transitions to some of its more anticipated tracks that include popular artists Tyler The Creator, who beautifully assisted in “Here We Go…Again” and timeless superstar Lil Wayne in “I Heard You’re Married.” The gap between these two hit songs on the album is apparent, with a brief sequence of mindless-listening melodies placed between the two. This brief, relaxing reprieve serves as a microcosm of the album’s larger purpose: a relaxing, spiritual escape from the ugly realities of the time we are living in.  

At worst, Dawn FM is a two-sided album that is split between being a collection of nostalgic pop songs or a meaningful record that’s meant to be contemplated, but even that assessment is far too harsh. 

At best, Dawn FM is a redefining moment for The Weeknd as he embarks on the second decade of his record-breaking career, but ultimately, only time will tell. 

For now, the Weeknd’s attention to detail and effort on every bridge, verse, beat transition, and radio-themed skit has yielded a strangely beautiful project that serves as another great addition to his increasingly remarkable discography. It is too soon to decide where this album ranks among The Weeknd’s other works, but Dawn FM is his most imaginative, haunting, and thought-provoking release in a very long time.As the year goes on, the Weekend will likely release a few singles, even though another full album is unlikely. Although it is still early, the perception of Dawn FM thus far has been largely positive. Although the nomination period has ended for the 2022 Grammy awards, coupled with the fact that his relationship with the Grammys has been less than perfect, The Weeknd will still look to add to his award collection this coming year. The Weeknd fans will be on the lookout for announcements regarding his next album, which will probably release later this year or next year.