The Weeknd, Dawn FM | Album Review

Canadian R&B superstar The Weeknd delivers another masterpiece with his fifth studio album, Dawn FM.

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t’s safe to say that The Weeknd has evolved into a superstar.  Sure, drugs and sketchy love remain themes of his music, but the Canadian R&B singer/songwriter is a far cry from where he was in the early 2010s. After earning critical acclaim for After Hours in 2020, and being infamously snubbed by The Grammys , the Grammy-winning R&B standout returns with his fifth studio album, Dawn FM.  Tough to follow up a masterpiece, but Dawn FM ends up being a masterpiece too!

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“Dawn FM” 

“Dawn FM” commences Dawn FM enigmatically, setting the tone for an exhilarating musical ride.  Early on, the production is slick, and the vocals are superb.  This is the first instance where the concept with FM radio is revealed, including the first interlude performed by Jim Carrey, who appears throughout the album, and the outro, performed by Abel, sang like a radio jingle: “103.5 Dawn FM.”

“I’m dozing off to R.E.M. / I’m trying not to lose my faith.” Now that’s an incredibly clever line – referencing “Losing My Religion”. “Gasoline” appears as the first full-length record of Dawn FM.  Notably, The Weeknd’s voice sounds odd on verses, intentionally.  This sound is surprising but makes for an intriguing listen to see where he takes it/the song itself. If the effects-laden vocals of the verse feel too off-putting, Abel delivers those beloved, pure tenor pipes in all their glory on the chorus, the undisputed centerpiece.  “Gasoline” explores rough love (“I Wrap my hands around your neck / You love it when I always squeeze”), drugs, and potential death (“And if I finally die in peace / Just wrap my body in these sheets”).  “Gasoline” is a fantastic opener. 

“I’ll fix you mushroom tea / And cross the restless sea.” Mushroom tea, huh? Sounds like The Weeknd is serving up more drugs on “How Do I Make You Love Me?” Of course, this ultra-slick, synthpop gem isn’t about psychedelic mushrooms but about winning her affection.  According to Tesfaye, he’s willing to “Teach you how to shine” and later adds, “Light you up again / Like embers of a fire.” Like “Gasoline,” the Canadian R&B/pop superstar is on autopilot.  One of the coolest aspects of “How Do I Make You Love Me?” is how the groove segues into one of the album’s best songs, “Take My Breath”, which appears in an extended form.

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“Take My Breath”

“I saw the fire in your eyes / … I know temptation is the devil in disguise.” The Weeknd doesn’t miss a beat on “Take My Breath”, which commences with an awesome, driving groove.  There is no way that you can sit still and not move your body listening to it.  The production by The Weeknd, Max Martin, and Oscar Holter kicks some serious butt, embracing R&B, pop, and dance of old. Once Tesfaye begins singing, his vocals are bright, pure, youthful, and potent.  He has a super, catchy melody to work with that’s tuneful and ear-catching. The chorus is epic, featuring robust vocals by Abel over the picturesque, energetic backdrop.

“Take my breath away

And make it last forever, babe

Do it now or never, babe

Take my breath away

Nobody does it better, babe

Bring me close to –”

Lyrically and thematically, he focuses on lust, sex, and temptations. Once again, he comes through big time.

Dawn FM continues to be the gift that keeps on giving with “Sacrifice,” among the grooviest, most infectious records of The Weeknd’s career.  His tenor is ‘on’, singing with incredible ease over a backdrop you can imagine Michael Jackson would’ve eaten up had he lived in the 2020s.  The melody is tuneful, the lyrics memorable, and while “Sacrifice” is set in a minor key, it’s exuberant, drawing the listener in from the onset.  Here, Tesfaye tells his lover, “I sacrificed / Your love for more of the night.” Woo – what a bad, bad boy he’s been! He follows up, asserting, he does NOT “wanna sacrifice / For your love.” Intriguing.  Notably, Dawn FM gets an eyebrow-raising interlude by iconic musician/producer Quincy Jones – “A Tale by Quincy” – who is always, um, ‘one of a kind.’

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“Out of Time” 

The sheer excellence of Dawn FM continues with “Out of Time.”  Safe to say, the 80s are alive and well and sound stellar in the 2020s.  The Weeknd sounds awesome, flaunting a ripe, passionate falsetto.  The production is epic, propelling the Grammy-winning superstar to higher heights.  Thematically, Abel wants to atone for his mistakes, fueled by “so much trauma in [his] life” and treat her the way she deserves.  Unfortunately, there’s one rub: “Said I’m too late to make you mine, out of time.”

“Out of Time” is a tough act to follow.  The good news is, however, The Weeknd follows up with another winner, “Here We Go…Again.” Enlisting a fellow Grammy winner, Tyler, The Creator, Abel Tesfaye continues to excel. Abel sings about his come-up during the first verse, asserting, “We still celebratin’ Super Bowl / Catalog lookin’ legendary / Ring froze like it’s February / XO, that’s a mercenary.” He also speaks about his ex and his new girlfriend.  As for TTC, he’s skeptical regarding love but if it does happen, he asserts, “You gon’ sign this prenup.” Worth noting, once more, we get some radio vibes from Dawn FM with Tesfaye singing, “The number one station to free your soul (Free your soul) / Dawn 103.5.”

On “Best Friends,” The Weeknd distances himself from love – sort of.  On this modern R&B joint, he asserts he’s become best friends with this girl but doesn’t want anything deeper emotionally.  Why? He believes he’ll mess it up.  Still, the singer is enjoying sex with her (FWB), but she’s doesn’t seem to approve of it, per the pre-chorus.  That seems to prompt the question, “Is There Someone Else?” Here, Abel admits his lies in the past, but now, he believes she’s the one being dishonest. “I don’t deserve someone loyal to me / Don’t you think I see?” he sings in the second verse, continuing, “And I don’t want to be a prisoner to who I used to be / I swear I changed my ways for the better, the better / ‘Cause I want to be with you forever, forever.”  Ten tracks in and Dawn FM continues to compel.

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“Starry Eyes” 

On “Starry Eyes,” The Weeknd embraces love as opposed to running away from it. We begin to see the start of it with “Is There Someone Else?” but “Starry Eyes” marks the big paradigm shift.  He wants to assure her he’ll do right by her – “Let me be there for your heart / Let me love you.” Unfortunately, “Every Angel is Terrifying”.  This is one of the most interesting, distinct tracks on Dawn FM.  Notably, it features an interlude by film director Josh Safdie, who promotes a mock film, After Life.  It’s a must-hear; words don’t do it justice.

The beat is light but lit on “Don’t Break My Heart,” another synth-tastic, ear-catching moment from Dawn FM.  Following those ‘terrifying angels,’ the tables are totally turned.  The Weeknd was breaking hearts before but now, he fears the same from her.  He enamored mind you, but sometimes, things seem too good to be true…

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“I Heard You’re Married” 

Any time a big-name collaboration goes down, ears are drawn to it.  That’s the case with “I Heard You’re Married” featuring Lil Wayne.   Sure, Weezy isn’t as big as he was in his heyday, but it’s still a big deal he collaborates with The Weeknd.  Before he ever spits a bar, Abel has this groovy joint on lockdown, singing the rhythmic, tuneful lines with ease.  The centerpiece is the chorus, among the catchiest of the LP: “Ooh, I heard you’re married, girl, oh oh, oh.” As for Weezy, well, he’s true to self: “I heard you’re married / I bet he treats you like Virgin Mary / You like it dirty and I’m Dirty Harry.” Lord!

“I’ll always be less than zero / … You tried your best with me, I know / I couldn’t face you with my darkest truth of all.” On the penultimate “Less Than Zero,” set in a major key, the pop is in full spring1 Again, The Weeknd and a top-notch production team balance 80s, R&B, and pop to make a fabulous record.  Gotta love those ascending synths! Furthermore, what about another magnificent chorus? “Phantom Regret by Jim” concludes Dawn FM, featuring spoken word by Jim Carrey once more.  The result is an alluring track that’s nothing short of a vibe.  Lyrically, listeners can’t possibly be disappointed with moments such as “But you could be there by the end of this song / Where The Weeknd’s so good and he plays all week long / Bang a gong, get it on.”

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Final Thoughts

Once again, The Weeknd ‘brings the heat.’ His fifth studio album, Dawn FM, is a fine follow up to After Hours.  There are no bad songs, period.  There are no bad vocals, as expected.  Are there hits? Of course! While I don’t hear another “Blinding Lights” – a once-in-a-lifetime hit – Dawn FM isn’t short in the bops department. Dawn FM: awesome way to kick off 2022 musically!

Gems : “Gasoline,” “How Do I Make You Love Me?”, “Take My Breath”, “Sacrifice,” “Out of Time,” “Here We Go…Again,” “I Heard You’re Married” & “Less Than Zero”

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The Weeknd • Dawn FM • Republic • 1.7.22
[: Republic]

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