The Weeknd, Popular | Track Review

The Weeknd, assisted by Playboi Carti and Madonna, serve up the goods on “Popular,” the second single from The Idol Vol. 1 (Music from the HBO Original Series).

“I’ve seen the devil / Down Sunset / In every place / In every face.” Sure, if you say so Madonna! Madge performs most of the intro of “Popular”, the second single from The Idol Vol. 1 (Music from the HBO Original Series), the soundtrack to The Idol, helmed by The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye). After impressing on “Double Fantasy”, the Grammy-winning Canadian R&B artist compels once more, with assists by Playboi Carti and, of course, Madonna. 

Following the into by Madge, a terrific groove anchors the production (The Weeknd, Metro Boomin, and Mike Dean). Besides the beat, the bright, warm synths stand out within the backdrop.  As always, Tesfaye serves up sick vocals – his tone is EVERYTHING! The songwriting is enjoyable and entertaining as well, fitting the premise of the HBO series.  The best sections, of course, are the pre-chorus and chorus, both performed by The Weeknd. In the incredibly catchy chorus, he sings:

“Beggin’ on her knees to be popular

That’s her dream, to be popular (Hey)

Kill anyone to be popular (Hm)

Sell her soul to be popular.”

Playboi Carti enters the mix briefly on the post-chorus, only as Playboi Carti can! Madonna gets an expanded role in the second verse, also managing to drop an f-bomb.  From there, her and the Weeknd duet in the pre-chorus/chorus section. Playboi Carti also gets an expanded role in his second post-chorus as well as the bridge before the final chorus closes out this popular R&B joint. All told, The Weeknd, with the help of Carti and Madge, serves up another electrifying single.

via GIPHY

The Weeknd • The Idol, Vol.1 (Music from the HBO Original Series) • The Weeknd XO / Republic • 6.30.23

[: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; The Weeknd XO / Republic; OpenClipart-Vectors, PIRO via Pixabay]