Breaking Down AFTER HOURS

[@Middle8]

Listen to the PlayM8 Podcast: PlayM8Podcast.com

[@TJ_SURF]

Dead Chat Lmao

[@connorpearson2000]

Still mad at how he wasn’t even nominated at the Grammy’s...

[@josephdemeke5615]

facts

[@rexnihilum7822]

That's why Kanye pissed on his Grammy

[@connorpearson2000]

@@rexnihilum7822 legit😆

[@karendetectedkarenmissilei6991]

It’s rigged just like the game awards like why the fuck did the last of us 2 win and not doom eternal?

[@jabbenero3758]

My AOTY

[@dejaviewmaster]

The Weeknd is the embodiment of the "I don't want to be horny anymore, I just want to be happy" meme

[@IHav3No3n3mies]

Until I bleed Out yea

[@kabiraj8258]

Not really but I can see where you're coming from

[@jacksoninc.4062]

More like " I don't want to be high anymore, i just want to be sober"

[@exploitprimitive]

@@IHav3No3n3mies That song is about drugs, not a fucking bitch

[@Th3F4lc0nBl4ckBlu3Xd]

@@exploitprimitive With all the context that the album gives, I'd say it's about both things; someone that meant something for him and his drug addiction.

[@ciarandouglas3917]

‘Dark prince of pop’ - the PERFECT title

[@harishramasundaram6808]

KING👑

[@nitrix9663]

@@harishramasundaram6808 Nah, he hasnt beat Michael yet

[@27isunknown70]

@@nitrix9663 well, MJ IS KING OF POP SO I DON'T MIND HIM BEING PRINCE OF POP

[@TitoVideo]

R&B Batmen 🦇

[@avontaeross7308]

@@27isunknown70 his dead he always going to be the king of pop but he can't be the king of pop if his not living. he's the god of pop

[@chineduobuekwe]

Thank you Bella and Selena for the part you played in creating this masterpiece

[@NYPDWeatherman]

The title sounds like something I'd do after working retail

[@midnandlink]

😂😂😂😂

[@gold_pedal5156]

DAMNN

[@daichisawamura20yearsago64]

IM SCREAMING- 💀💀

[@MADD-MANX]

It's a sad life, I felt the pain:(

[@docrussojr]

*After Hours storyline:* In Alone Again, he was struggling to draw the line between being in a relationship and living the nightlife. Too Late talks about how he can't be saved from himself. Hardest To Love and Scared To Live, he reminisces on hurting this lover so many times that she's hesitant to love anyone else. She ultimately leaves him, and he's kind of reflecting on that. Escape LA and Snowchild, he's reflecting on material things and women, but they all feel the same now. In Faith he parties so hard he OD's. Heartless and Blinding Lights, he's embracing the nightlife, and at the end of the songs he harkens back to a specific lover for comfort. In Your Eyes, The Weeknd suspects his lover of seeing someone else. In Save Your Tears, he tries to go back to this lover again, but this time she won't accept him. In Repeat After Me, it's confirmed that his lover finds someone else. The Weeknd is put off by this, and suggests that she doesn't love the new guy, and doing this to spite him. In After Hours, he misses this lover and the only way he can get close to his lover again is in his dreams. And the only way he can forget, is by getting high. But now, the high isn't working (after the OD scare, he realized the high he wants is unobtainable). And he's feeling lonely in those crowded rooms with all of those women that look the same. In Until I Bleed Out, he's sick of getting high, and he's sick of thinking about this lover, and the only way to stop it is by cutting himself, and bleeding out (killing himself). Final Lullaby was coming to terms with dying, and putting himself and his fantasies about his lover to sleep.

[@Hydrxzl]

And then dawnfm comes. Holy shit it all lined up

[@sytherwusky]

@@Hydrxzl the never-ending radio station in purgatory

[@TheWeeknd20223]

does that mean he dies at the end

[@MrSkerpentine]

@@Hydrxzl I hate the fact that I was just unironically about to type “so Dawn FM is like Magicant in EarthBound”

[@Eujejfifkejshcifkoe]

@@TheWeeknd20223 yea and goes into purgatory before being reborn (theory for next album)

[@ZZ-nh7lp]

Conclusion: abel is emotionally unstable

[@zaitraa]

@@Mori everybody has different stories, but the weeknds story stands out the most; for that i preach

[@BrawlyDaStar]

Nah really he just coming to fruition he thought l.a was what he wanted but its only hurt him... Now he finally realizes he wants to leave and has had enough sinning

[@nitrix9663]

*the weekend. This is a persona, not actaully Abel

[@ZZ-nh7lp]

@@nitrix9663 yeah but that doesn't rhyme that well, does it?

[@melody.526]

@@Mori Dam I didn't expect to see ya here.

[@gavinwarner3480]

Never even realized this was a concept album wow. Thought it was just a collection of really good songs but this takes it to another level. AOTY for sure

[@d.luvevo711]

I only wish the person who made the video focused on the theme of drugs in the album, but that may have stopped him from monetizing the video so I understand. Like Heartless is a hard drug trip, Faith is the come down into an overdose, and Blinding Lights is the ambulance ride in which he wishes for the girl to be with him. Even up to Until I Bleed, which is him saying he’s done and wants to be a sober man. After Hours as a whole seemed on a larger scale to be the closing of this chapter of The Weeknd that began with House Of Balloons, it seemed that he’s crossing into another stage of his life. The drugs, the women, the lost love, it all seemed like a conclusion. I honestly don’t expect to even get another Weeknd album until he’s in something more stable like a long term relationship.

[@Mrguguinha2001]

@@d.luvevo711 He said in a recent interview that he's deeply focused on a new album right now that will likely drop in 2021

[@sosickandtiredofalltheneed568]

@@Mrguguinha2001 Probably will drop a week before Superbowl

[@fusionflare100]

this video highlighted to me that after hours and kiss land are kinda thematically the same, both still great albums

[@JW-hn5nt]

No

[@justingrant2297]

How did Justin biebers “yummy” get a Grammy nomination yet Abel got nothing. Corruption at its best

[@nuthead-i-am]

Grammys suck ass😂

[@Julia-ji7nn]

and racism at its best ofc nothing else

[@sreesai]

That's exactly true.......tho recently I heard "anyone" it was pretty good, I mean JB deserves to be nominated for grammy but not for "yummy"

[@harshitajain1903]

@@sreesai exactly that's the point I mean JB have made good songs but him getting nominated for 10000 Hours and yummy is not right either they should nominate him for lonely it's a bop

[@spreadgryphon1469]

@@Julia-ji7nn huh racism? We are talking about music here bro not race

[@manavchaudhary962]

As someone who has listened to every album by The Weeknd, this was very insightful. Although I do wish that he switches themes on his next one, I can respect the fact that he pursues different sounds on each album. After Hours seems like a perfect closure to The Weeknd's theme of self-destruction and loneliness, and i wish he has found a closure too.

[@AJXO-30]

I don't think it will end that simple. The sad truth is that he somehow relapses to his old ways. I think his style could be different but there would still be elements of his old ways on a few songs.

[@taffylaffy-rd5co]

Dw I saw an article that said he is planning an album but it won’t be anything like after hours cause he doesn’t wanna top that one

[@manavchaudhary962]

@Georgie doesn’t suck still listening to it. On every listen it grows on you like crazy. Also love how Abel has taken the best of both worlds, trying to create something new on the same canvas as after hours.

[@user-ou7wt3lx8m]

@@manavchaudhary962 now in Dawn FM he sees and reflects on his past when he's older. And the things in the past come back to bite him as he gets put to the grave

[@naethavenir9422]

I can’t wait for After Life about himself deconstructing his debauchery

[@TNT_P0D]

We’ve been jamming to his music but in reality...This whole time.... mans was REALLY hurtin 😭😭😭

[@peachyalba]

Nearly everything he writes about is about his past and current situations. It scared the living shit out of me when I listened to Until I Bleed Out cause I know Abel used to cut and I just hope he hasn’t gone back to doing that.

[@lihleskeyilihlesikeyi5861]

Same story happened to Michael Jackson

[@daisysaurora888]

@@peachyalba omg I didn’t know that, that’s so terrible I’ve been so concerned for him

[@kayraval]

@@peachyalba us real/older fans know🤰🏽🙌🏼

[@theonlygosha]

On The Weeknd's deluxe version, it ends with "final lullaby" which shows that he has finally come to terms with his breakup, wishing his ex peace and is ready to move on. This can also be shown in a few of his releases after the album, such as his feature on Ariana Grande's new album "off the table" - what do you think?

[@Bandstand]

Your key frames inspire me

[@soapyguy6483]

I always see you lol

[@idontknowwhatmyusernamesho5540]

Right??? Like what on earth is his workflow, what does he use to edit... I need to know!

[@IHav3No3n3mies]

Bandstand is undefeated in video cameos

[@calvindew5298]

Why are you in every comment section for me

[@calyscurtis8654]

You're everywhere lol

[@blank1387]

This album is full circle. Musically and visually (if we talk about music videos), ending goes straight again to begining

[@MiguelRamirez-nq1mk]

wait so in reality, alone again is the last track??? i got chills from that

[@user-yc1jh8gj7q]

I, too, break down after hours

[@kashishdave3085]

I see what u did there

[@KennyThaSharp]

(Y) S ame

[@blueblank8287]

I mean, based on the album, so does the Weeknd.

[@lovelessact1]

If ain’t nobody else got me The Weeknd music got me

[@michaelmentality]

XOOOOOO, we’ll be everything you need just believe...

[@dontaviansmallwood7889]

Yup that’s fact and that’s true facts

[@lindsaymonroe567]

+10 points for your Cliud profile pic

[@jessieurena7583]

Facts!

[@claudia-uy5gk]

xo

[@GeorgetheGreat]

Abel's music SOUNDS so good that often times the masterful storytelling is overshadowed (atleast on initial listens) by his amazing voice and production. Even though he is one of the biggest artists in the world He's still underrated as a lyricist and a storyteller. Great video sir; you should do a "Breaking down KISS LAND" :)

[@__anasa]

woah, well said! But that means we can listen to the albums over and over again like it’s the first time.

[@soaribb32]

The Weakened... *The more you know...*

[@sosickandtiredofalltheneed568]

The Weeknd is the Anti-Bruno Mars Just like how Prince is the Anti-MJ All of them are pop stars, but exists on opposite ends.

[@Hamzethegoat]

Weeknd’s music is a lot more experimental and introspective than Bruno’s same way Princes albums were to MJ spot on comparisons. Funny thing is Weeknd favorite artist is MJ and he sounds like him but his music is more like Prince

[@xothehost123]

@@Hamzethegoat actually his favorite artist was Prince, but MJ was like a hero to him

[@codyddd3634]

his best album easily...unless you count the trilogy as albums

[@KingCuzco]

nah they’re mixtapes

[@IHav3No3n3mies]

For sure the mixtapes will always be legendary with the true spirit of the The Weeknd and most of his best songs but this album showed that he can make an album that's cohesive and amazing from start to finish love it XO.

[@pro_nube5860]

it’s a compilation album, can’t compare 30 songs to 14 that’s just dumb

[@michaelmentality]

Kiss Land is still king

[@apoellin710]

unpopular opinion: i prefer starboy😬

[@a2somali-ish588]

This is what makes the weeknd one of the greatest in the game. He’s not here just to pump out a hit He’s here to make art that’ll survive the test of time

[@kazi1]

Exactly

[@themittenkitten_wastakenfromme]

Checked over by GrammarKiller. Don’t use us!

[@kaivalyajoshi5595]

I like weeknd's tune, but man he cries soooo much. Like its just a breakup bro, hit the gym or smth. People like Eminem have faced so many hardships and they made it, and this guy is just crying soooo much over a breakup

[@emmanuel435]

I'm having chills throughout the entire video. This album will be remembered as one of the defining albums of 2020. It's a shame that the Recording Academy chose to snub this masterpiece.

[@sanjaymurmu3482]

Never need a Grammy, he's what Grammy needs💯

[@clydefox6443]

This breakdown was literally so concise and clean and the usage of clips was so good I HAD to subscribe. Great work guys

[@daringlybad]

I'm obcessed with the second half of Escape from LA. On the first chorus it just seems like he's having sex in the studio and he's all cool but the verse re frames to show that she's cheating on someone with Able so all these subtle details in the chorus like her locking the door and nobody seeing is her hiding him from her boyfriend. I think that's so cool!! Love this album!

[@crystalgarlic7722]

i don’t think ‘she’ was cheating on anyone i think the female in question is bella hadid and they were in a relationship

[@daringlybad]

@@crystalgarlic7722 the last line of the final verse is "She's all mine for the night /She's all mine until he calls her line" Preeetttyyyy blatant to me. I see what you're saying tho with the Bella Hadid references to the chrome hearts and stuff maybe it's an early part of their relationship or he's just comparing her to all other LA women to throw some shade in her direction.

[@DUNGSTA]

Don't know why but I'm stuck on this song rn...

[@lipamwah3698]

it reminds me of twenty eight when he says ‘girl if your man call your phone again’

[@taffylaffy-rd5co]

@@daringlybad yeah its def not about bella in the second half but maybe about a hooker or chantel jeffries

[@sgtandyboy4377]

Wish you did an analysis on his deluxe version as well with “nothing compares” “final lullaby” and “missed you”

[@madmurdoch5365]

Really impressive breakdown mate! The references you used to his past, especially his past music's lyrics, really put things into perspective on how Abel thinks and how he has felt due to past relationships, emotions and experiences/ mistakes. Your editing layout and key frames were spectacular as well, keep it up man!

[@rarrera1409]

Somehow this video made me love this album even more

[@300-blkout]

You see, most people know when there's gonna be a new episode when the notification pops up. I know when the Matthew McCelland remix is uploaded about an hour before.

[@joywalk]

👀

[@Middle8]

Link to this remix is in the description btw

[@300-blkout]

@@Middle8 Already subbed ;)

[@joywalk]

🙏🙏🙏

[@1sepriani]

This album is a break up letter to Hollywood

[@TheeMoonstar]

I think that's more a side story within the main story.

[@rexnihilum7822]

Been bumping it since March, AOTY easily

[@Jaigantic97]

I love how you showed parallels and similarities between his later albums and After Hours. Simply Genius.

[@Emme-Kappa]

Just curious: will you do a Top 10 album lists for this year?

[@Middle8]

In no particular order: Yves Tumor - Heaven to a Tortured Mind The Strokes - The New Abnormal Tame Impala - The Slow Rush Sault - Untitled (Black Is) Roisin Murphy - Roisin Machine Jessie Ware - What's Your Pleasure Glass Animals - Dreamland 070 Shake - Modus Vivendi Gorillaz - Song Machine The Weeknd - After Hours

[@SloneKyle]

@@Middle8 Dreamland was amazing!

[@generalgrievous5615]

@@Middle8 I think Oliver trees ugly is beautiful should be up there

[@joshuajames2318]

@@Middle8 finally someone recognising 070 Shake 🙌🏽

[@brunodominguez151]

@@Middle8 what is your opinion on K.G.

[@malaja]

I’ve seen a couple of breakdowns and had my own interpretation of the album, but this is by far THE BEST breakdown! Now I really truly understand the album and The Weeknd better. Amazing!

[@cawoom4264]

Damn Blinding Lights is practically a redemption song

[@fandeysy]

I love your videos, you bring such an amazing perspective to these worlds that artists create it's like you're on their mind.

[@Hamzethegoat]

Easily the best album of this year and will probably be the one that is remembered the longest it’s a classic, A lot of people don’t know this is a concept album it tells a story from start to finish and ends sadly with Until I bleed it out

[@nathanr4633]

What makes this album really amazing to me, is in all those concepts portrayed in the songs there's at least one thing the listener can relate to. That really makes it an appealing listen

[@nelsonfernandes6437]

Me Who literally thought the line "Sin citys cold and empty " referred to lockdown when people were at home .. lol

[@Hamzethegoat]

The song came out before the lockdown but a lot of people took it as that

[@baseddroid]

Lol it fits the theme but the song came out months b4 that

[@skinnyjeans23123]

i love him so much so fucking talented

[@emilioguerrero3964]

I love this channel so much.

[@ztalethan]

holy shit. as a HUGE fan of abel, this is such a beautiful analysis of after hours. so accurate and it's exactly like how i analyzed it

[@dtheactivizt]

kissland is my FAVORITE album of all time ...it tells a story and a few of the songs cary on to one another, man it’s just beautiful.

[@hid34way]

His entire discography is the perfect soundtrack for my life

[@jmihendrix4]

My man got snubbed from the Grammys 😭😭😭

[@marleyBsalinas94]

Literally one of my favorite albums

[@art3mis107]

i haven't clicked on a video faster, omg i love this album and able so much. Been loving this album since it came out, and i am dissapointed in the record academy for not nominating abel, he would definetly deserve artist of the year and album of the year.

[@yslxo_]

Abel * lol

[@Rooster2628]

You are so extremely talented at breaking these down and explaining. I appreciate you and the album even more now.

[@dontaviansmallwood7889]

Can’t believe everyone thought he had surgery on his face real fans know the true meaning the internet can be dumb sometimes

[@carinal1169]

This video is one of the most perfect things i've ever watched

[@feltsspencer80]

Your videos are so impressive! You can read albums like a book and then relay the message to your viewers. Never seen a channel put together so well!

[@michaelmentality]

This man is the goat! It takes a special type of person to appreciate the weeknd’s music. you’ve had to have experienced the things he sings about to get it. I’ve been a fan since Trilogy and my life hasn’t been the same since. The darkness and depth in his music is unmatched. XO

[@jezabelgonzalez6781]

yes! but even if you haven’t experienced it all, his songwriting and production is phenomenal so u experience it through his music

[@TommFoolery]

I've been obsesed with this album for the past few weeks, so this video is exactly the kind of thing I've been looking for. Thank you

[@ActuallyNotHayden]

"Breaking Down After Hours" is also the title of my powerpoint on how i cope with reality

[@javinshki17000]

the music in the background at the beginning is "Late Night (AFTER HOURS REMIX) by Joywalk"

[@landolandolandolandolando]

THANK YOU

[@javinshki17000]

@@landolandolandolandolando no problemo

[@andrealevy8482]

this breakdown is amazing! I love how you connected his previous albums! I would like an individual breakdown of his whole discography! great video xotwod 🖤

[@rarrera1409]

Damn, just with the intro I knew this one was another masterpiece by the middle8

[@victorxemilio]

People ask me why I love The Weeknd, his music reminds me of myself. As fucked up as it sounds, his albums are me (feel like a lot of people feel like that)

[@aaravnanda7767]

I love this album so much, and so loved this vid. The editing is incredible, would love if you did his other albums too

[@Headbandito]

I cannot stop listening to this album. It might be my favorite project ever. The music, his voice, and the tragic story all work so well together.

[@Blonded_Tee]

Bro you just changed my whole pov and interpretation of After hours,thank you

[@__anasa]

I’m late to this but thank you for this wonderful essay. His journey through his music really makes me want to know more about him as a person and only makes me love him more. Truly the ever perplexing dark prince of pop 🥺

[@xuwoid]

its a big, big pity you didnt look into deluxe version. i think "nothing compares" really shows the pain in the loss, and would add a lot to the video. nonetheless, i love this video, the graphics are just *chefs kiss*

[@jaden6573]

first time watching your video and gotta say it’s really well put and i’ve found another way to learn music . thank you

[@blissridden]

I’m sure you’ve heard this a million times. But you deserve so much more. Merry Christmas and XOTWOD 🎄🤍🖤

[@weippert]

Wow this breakdown is amazing. Great work, and great album.

[@valeskacepeda]

The editing of this is flawless

[@fa2lemuelm2]

I dont always watch your vids (just preference and time management), but damn good job for always keeping it consistent. Really enjoyable listens!

[@josephdemeke5615]

i’ve been waiting for this one

[@st0las886]

TURN IT UP!!

[@Cie999]

As long as the weeknd stays raw and unfiltered i will continue to listen to him until the end of time

[@thenmhc6210]

the way the album was organized was just amazing!

[@KermieTheHomie]

I have a theory that, after Faith the following tracks, blinding lights, in your eyes, save your tears are all a dream. Him thinking he still has a chance with this woman. But then repeat after me, he sees that she doesnt love him anymore, then in until I bleed out he is legit on the edge of suicide.

[@viktormunkknudsen1557]

The ways the album is understood is very different. some see it as able being the bad guy all the time and keeping falling back into his problems, and then this. God i love that we cant get so many different meaning about the album. its just great

[@FATEEMS]

Incredible video such great analysis and visuals

[@dust1875]

The Weeknd’s storyline is like bojack horseman

[@pi_eir1241]

this was the comment I was looking for

[@Albinoshoe]

Dude, I loved this vid. You're a great analyzed my friend !!

[@papagrge2260]

such a good vid. would love to see you go into more hip hop/r&b artists like this

[@briantabares7849]

“Dark prince of pop” WRITE THAT DOWN! WRITE THAT DOWN!

[@zyngod_8631]

Most artists: Guns, booty, gang sign, robbery *The weekend: pure story and massive massages to learn from...*

[@okayitsdead6631]

I always thought this album was about self-destruction and numbness. I listened to this album so much u realized that you have songs where Abel wants love and have a normal relationship like “ in your eyes” , “save your tears”, and “scared to live” then you have your classic weeknd songs about drugs and sex like “ heartless” and “ repeat after me.” But you have tracks like “ after hours” and “faith” where it’s realization and he sees that he can’t do this anymore , he’s conflicted and in pain. You can see even in his character in the music videos, she’s always beat up or getting beat up, he’s a torched soul left in the after hours of the night

[@Rushes99]

Abel and his team have put so much passion and soul into this craft. One of the finest works imo.

[@mus7c]

this was truly the album of 2020 in western pop music. i also find that music videos and bonus tracks have added so much to the story too, i would've loved if you had touch on those, too. in the in your eyes remix with doja cat we find out that his girlfriend most likely didn't cheat on him, instead he's making stories in his head, either to make himself feel better or to bring her down to his level or who knows, and she's letting him believe that because she's so tired of the story repeating itself over and over again. the other songs add more details to the story too, it's so interesting. abel is such amazing storyteller.

[@leah688]

I already love the music you talk about but I always leave your videos appreciating the music so much more

[@Grt1n]

“ I don’t want to wake up” and “put myself to sleep” never thought of them as suicidal lines just I don’t want to sleep alone type of thing but now I wonder... 🤔

[@tangmao9695]

another fire video see ya in 2021!

[@mikebh2o]

I think I have listened to or sang at least one song from this album every single day since it dropped on March 20th.

[@st0las886]

Love the video bro!! Certainly one of my favorite albums!! I will be a subscriber for life!!

[@dors9990]

the weeknd is the best artist of the 21st century and NO ONE can change my mind

[@houseofdolan]

Is pure facts 😭❤️🙌

[@danielhaworth6259]

One of the best full stop

[@lloydtheshagger2443]

Kanye and Bruno Mars are great as well.

[@jules1659]

Virtuoso of a breakdown of the whole album great job man it’s like you’re part of our XO family

[@theguyinthecorner3423]

Abel said in an interview was about his past but this goes good together.

[@cagethefoxtrick3852]

The best albums are the Breakup/Heartbroken ones

[@freesteve1977]

2014 Forest Hills Drive by J. Cole Also review passion pit, Phoenix, group love, naked and famous what happened to that 2010s music

[@maryannappiagyei4277]

J cole amazing dope album classic album

[@gokulkrishna3361]

The Weeknd deserves Grammy's and deserves the World 💯💯💯

[@deshawnthomas]

So this is why I reasonated with this album so much over last year during my breakup...

[@reganmoreau5477]

i wish i could have those album visualizers playing for each project when i listen to them

[@vch464]

The writing and production of this is insane

[@rudy3820]

DANM this video is just like so good in EVERY way :)

[@mead0wsgates]

Brilliant analysis, thank you!

[@Mai1jjk]

Your editing is absolutely amazing I love it