With the musical genesis of 2022 still among us, The Weeknd composed one of the hardest acts to follow with his latest release, DAWN FM. Despite the lyrical themes that listeners may find oversaturated that they’ve heard in his previous work, he manages to provide a new perspective on his enthralling choruses of dark fantasies, immoral perspectives, and lustful natures with its synth-driven production. Visually and aesthetically directed by the genius himself, La Mar Taylor, the artistic concepts of DAWN FM are sonically subpar from what he’s previously released from the rhythmic compositions that are intermixed throughout the project.

The evolution of The Weeknd’s musical versatility and range is explored in his latest project, DAWN FM. With its incorporation of 80’s influenced dance-pop sounds, traditional radio themes through its sequencing, Jim Carrey and Quincy Jones spoken-word assisted-narration, and an unconventional genreless expedition that he showcases with his musical infusion of EDM, new wave, R&B, and post-disco among other genres. Notable songs such as "I Heard You're Married", "Less than Zero", and "Here We Go... Again" (featuring Tyler, the Creator) discuss the complicated anguishes that come with being in love such as second chances and regretful decisions featuring his iconic falsettos and croons that audiences yearn for. 

With this album, the collaborations from the production standpoint include Calvin Harris, Swedish House Mafia, and OPN implementing a unique experimental arrangement that taps deeper into a mix of electropop mixed with funk and techno-influenced sounds, as well as, familiar contributions from DaHeala and Max Martin among others. Dawn FM is arguably one of this most thematic bodies of work since Kiss Land, not only does it take listeners not only a nostalgic journey through his melodies about desolation and what comes with the recovery process when suffering in times of grief, remorse, and expectations that come with existential crises in love, lust, and life. Be sure to stream the full project on all platforms as well as watch the full video for his latest song titled “Gasoline” below.