The Weeknd - Dawn FM ALBUM REVIEW

[@DavidBallin]

I think the fact everyone is listing different tracks as their “favourite” speaks to the strength of this project.

[@harveyjames9600]

Has to be sacrifice for me

[@JoshSingleTon2]

Out of time,Is there someone else and Sacrifice for me.

[@compwexity]

@@JoshSingleTon2 these are my exact ones too. This album is amazing

[@JoshSingleTon2]

@@compwexity That's pretty cool and I agree, it is a fascinating album. Can't stop listening to it since the release lol.

[@noseblind2088]

for me its less than zero 100%

[@mikeywalt]

I’m obsessed with Gasoline. Like one of the most sonically catchy songs I’ve heard in years

[@Veteranemo]

the lyrics are so haunting too

[@lusilverrr]

I couldnt agree more, hearing the first verse in that low tone had me questioning it, but by the end of the song I was hooked

[@sinaklsindre2831]

Yeah thats the best song with take my breath. The new vocal inflection just balance out the track perfectly, and the hook is infectious

[@MarcosAntonio-vf3ln]

I love it cause it sounds like something I’d hear at goth clubs. I hope the goth clubs play it

[@Starlightbby23]

No one’s talking about this song as much as it should be talked about!

[@Oujix]

The vibes of this album are out of this world. 9/10 album imo.

[@bryan1956]

nah, 7 is okay

[@thileepan8750]

True 🔥

[@alen577]

​@@bryan1956"nah" as if there was only one objective opinion. Smh 😭

[@dinand28]

6 for pity to be honest

[@dzireg]

The score of this album has improved day-by-day in my head. Began as a 5/10 and is now a strong 9/10 for me.

[@jpbdude4223]

Not me been a 6 or 7 and always probably will be

[@SamiiRSMT]

You should rate each song and then see the average. You saying it's 9/10 is st00pid. That's like saying you rated almost all of the songs 9 or 10

[@fine3791]

@@SamiiRSMT All songs together can be worth more than their sum.

[@SamiiRSMT]

@@fine3791 what?

[@fine3791]

@@SamiiRSMT they together can be a higher score even if most tracks are a 7, the album can be rated 9

[@DevanshShahOrigami]

I think "Less than Zero " is one of the best songs in the album.. I don't know why fantano didn't give it much needed credit...

[@th3mdt]

I mean, he did enjoy it. He included it in his highlights in the description. He didn't really gush over it, but if you play it back, he didn't have anything negative to say about it either.

[@TheBlashMusic]

Because Fantano dislikes anything that is too derivative of other songs. I love the song, but it definitely is a mix of every huge new wave hit in one.

[@lntg]

Bro it’s the one that instantly hit me.

[@s1me007]

It’s the typical Max Martin safe banger

[@dxe4582]

And he didn't even say a word about I Feel It Coming in Starboy review

[@themandownstairs4765]

Genuinely enjoyed a lot of the production chops Oneohtrix Point Never brought to this record, I feel like that man was built to make a full record of giant 80s synthpop ballads and the whole thing just comes out super cohesive and snappy.

[@DylanDocker]

Don't really care tbh. Just admit that The Weeknd is better than Kendrick and go.

[@willb.7417]

@@DylanDocker huh?

[@raihanrazak2743]

@@DylanDocker what

[@RYNO2511]

@@DylanDocker wtf lol

[@royalwarlord2342]

Ehhhh the album sounds like a bunch of Uncut Gems throwaways, no thanks

[@clingclanglarry3327]

Phantom Regret is quite possibly the best album closer in Abel's discography. A slew of terrifying but calming affirmations helped by that beautiful synth line, it's not very often that I am obsessed by a song that's just a dude talking poetry. Emotionally devastating by every listen

[@matlat]

its heat but no way is it better than echoes of silence/tears in the rain/starboy

[@youareasock9752]

The Knowing

[@SMohinder]

I agree but I also love the knowing on HOB. Still one of the my favorites of his.

[@ritik_ghanshani]

Final lullaby is better imo. But phantom regrets is beautiful af too.

[@thenewguy5752]

@@youareasock9752 W, my favorite song of all time

[@ardien.535]

if this is indeed a trilogy, I'm really hoping the next record is the best of the three. that would be a cool thing to witness

[@shashankdas4111]

After Hours was a 7 Dawn FM is an 8 The last one's gotta be a 9

[@Cool-bl2kb]

@@shashankdas4111 according to Fantano 😄 after hours is a 10

[@dzireg]

@@Cool-bl2kb what do you mean? i dont understand

[@simoncarlisle7368]

@@Cool-bl2kb didn't he give it a 7?

[@mattmcgourty7971]

@@simoncarlisle7368 he’s saying that according to fantano, After hours is a 7, and dawn fm is an 8. The commenter thinks after hours is a 10

[@alejandroserrano7755]

The way this man has evolved is nothing short of amazing. I never expected The Weeknd would release an album like this nor After Hours but he continues to impress. He is the definition of an artist.

[@Hamzethegoat]

Exactly even Starboy n Beauty Behind The Madness shocked me never thought the guy who made House Of Balloons could be a pop star or drop such huge anthems

[@Retr0_Blues]

@@Hamzethegoat speaks to his crazy versatility

[@joaquinvenegas573]

I personally loved the transition between "How Do I Make You Love Me?" And "Take My Breath". I think it was pretty well done

[@whiplash9548]

Great review Anthony. Completely agree that Jim Carrey is the MVP of r&b.

[@cinemaspire7258]

Yo I remember you and your meme comments on Stuckmann's channel!

[@undergd4768]

And Abel Tesfaye is a great narrator for this album

[@mirocastillo1715]

Jim Carrey carried this album

[@jeremys3951]

Wtf are you talking about

[@IllusiveDev]

@ARIANA'S NEIGHBOUR get a job

[@maleselajoshua4424]

The Weeknd is just getting better and better with each album, excited to hear the conclusion to this trilogy and then what sound he'll go for after that.

[@jacesoto8319]

Nah this shit was weak

[@maleselajoshua4424]

@@jacesoto8319 That's your opinion and I respect it, but I personally enjoyed it. We can't all enjoy the same things.

[@Petalflipper]

I honestly have this feeling after finally listening to After Hours, then this new one, that he could do something EXTREMELY good but his tendency for being still a safe pop hit doesn't quite make him go there. I'm definitely curious to see where he goes from here. Hoping it continues down a more interesting route.

[@chefcuhdon33]

@@Petalflipper I’m hoping it makes a full U turn and he finds himself back at the music that got him famous. I know he’s gone so far down the pop and now 80’s synth road that he most likely won’t, but I miss the melodic moody rnb.

[@dizznotdizzy]

@@chefcuhdon33 considering how successful after hours was i’d consider that to be more changing for him than any of his old music. not to mention, to me personally his old music is really middle tier up to bbtm which only had a few good tracks. i personally heavily prefer the weeknd when he’s in his pop lane compared to anything else he’s done. everything he touches that is pop turns to gold. this album and after hours are BY FAR his best albums in his discography and i really hope after life (the theorized title for his next lp) fits into the top 3 aswell and i honestly wouldnt be suprised if it is. ive heard a lot of theories that after this trilogy abel will retire and if that’s the truth, i 100% believe he will go out with a bang and make a album even better than after hours and dawn fm which is almost unfathomable to me personally. these two albums have easily surpassed every other album i have ever listened to and i truthfully believe that “going out with a bang” would not be releasing slow moody tracks similar to his first trilogy. and i think the people begging for him to go back to his old sound need to let him do what he wants and evolve his music to HIS liking. if he likes this 80s style pop/r&b type sound i think he should embrace it, as he did with this phenomenal record.

[@thomward6890]

i love how it’s no longer an anomaly for the weeknd to make a good album anymore. this album in particular felt like a great return to form

[@thomward6890]

also the weeknd and OPN probably met onset for uncut gems just saying

[@samsungfanboy]

@@thomward6890 OPN also handled sound during The Weeknd's Super Bowl performance

[@Oblivion9873]

all the trilogy simps are gonna hate you for this

[@fizzie2301]

as someone who started listening when he released after hours do people shit on his older stuff a lot? is it worth listening to

[@zicklane]

@@fizzie2301 the XO fanboys will tell you yes every album is a banger but really just check out Starboy and Kissland, and HoB

[@f8ded]

finally, Abel got an 8 after years, since ‘Echoes of Silence’. this shows that Abel is improving, getting better since After Hours dropped, and that he discovered his true groove

[@simonsanchezkumrich8489]

Its just a guys opinion bruh

[@MixAndMash]

@@simonsanchezkumrich8489 facts yall gotta chill

[@hola979]

@@simonsanchezkumrich8489 While I get what your saying. It's a guy whose been doing reviews since almost a decade and has heard ALOT of music. I wouldn't say he is "just a guy"

[@simonsanchezkumrich8489]

@@hola979 i know, but its still an opinion, music is subjective, just dont take it too serious and for sure dont take it personal

[@NoName-pl7zm]

He should have given after hours a 9. He rated it way too low

[@sinaklsindre2831]

When i first heard take my breath as a single, l wasnt the biggest fan, however hearing it on this album was a whole different experience. It is my favorite song on here along with gasoline.

[@dariuseatmon3971]

Literally the same. Easily my favorite after being pretty underwhelmed on first listen

[@h3llboyyy407]

@@dariuseatmon3971 That's wild to me but then again I remember I didn't like the music video version as much as I enjoyed the extended version when it dropped lol,

[@nickalem5692]

The album’s Extended version is astronomically better than the single version. Something about that dark, roaring bass feels so badass. Such a fresh, daft punk inspired disco tune

[@VanSanProductions]

Saaame. I was just thinking he was doubling down on the Blinding Lights hype but in the context of the whole album the song is perfect.

[@WilliamMaranciMashups]

oneothrix point never named himself after a soft rock radio station in my area called "magic 106.7." i get the feeling his contributions to this album were somewhat inspired by it.

[@davidwave4]

OPN's last album was literally called Magic OPN, and took on the similar concept of a radio station being a metaphor for transitioning through life.

[@davidl5073]

He’s also a co-writer on 11 songs so yeah

[@bitbat9]

@Axle Blaze because this is a better record

[@schmuck.on.wheels]

I kept reading "never named himself..." and was so confused

[@sammystank7174]

Thanks William :)

[@HunterBlairAmbrose]

This was clearly his Random Access Memories. And it worked beautifully.

[@HunterBlairAmbrose]

The ending vocals of Best Friends sound so much like Michael Jackson it sends chills down my spine.

[@James-lz7nn]

Random access memories is one of the greatest albums of the 21st century. This is not even close.

[@pelchluke8984]

A tale by Quincy reminds me so much of Giorgio by moroder

[@HunterBlairAmbrose]

@@pelchluke8984 same! Immediately thought of that. I definitely think RAM was a blueprint for Dawn FM

[@Bandstand]

@@James-lz7nn Not what OG comment was saying

[@jandntheriault]

The Weeknd is going to be remembered as one of the best male vocal artists of our time. His talent and versatility are something most artists could only dream of having. Plus he is a pretty chill guy, writing his own American Dad episode. I can’t wait to hear more from him

[@omerfarooq6822]

Modern day Michael Jackson in a nutshell

[@jandntheriault]

@@omerfarooq6822 yeah without the controversy, fingers crossed it stays that way. Michael’s name was dragged after his death, when he couldn’t defend himself, shame.

[@omerfarooq6822]

@@jandntheriault They tried...those fake ass documentary accuses were claimed to be false as all the accuses that were made against him. Michael Jackson’s legacy is still the strongest in the music industry. Kids and artists like Abel show how much MJ’s music still influences us now. Can’t dethrone the 🐐

[@Bpl76300]

Agreed. I honestly believe he is the greatest artist of out generation. Is that crazy to say?

[@saintonsaturn7070]

frank ocean

[@jakephillips.]

Time Stamps: Gasoline: 3:20 How do I make you love me: 3:33 Take my breath: 3:46 Sacrifice: 4:13 Quincy jones interlude: 4:37 Out of time: 4:48 Here we go again: 5:05 Every angel is terrifying: 5:38 Starry eyes: 5:57 I heard your married: 6:13 Best friends: 6:39 Don’t break my heart: 7:15

[@Mirroredsmoke]

Starboy - 5/10 After hours - 7/10 Dawn FM - 8/10 Looks like The Weeknd's music is starting to grow on you huh Melon?

[@zclan4130]

I think in general The Weeknd has been trying to formulate his own pop sound. He is great at making pop records, don’t get me wrong. On Starboy, though, they were a bit more formulaic. He’s now executing this sound with his own style

[@charliejordan4490]

Tbh The Weeknd has been way way more creative since this new trilogy started. Starboy is pretty bloated ngl probably my least favorite album from him even though it still has great songs like Die for you, sidewalks, reminder, and the tracks with Daft punk.

[@zclan4130]

@@charliejordan4490 a lonely night is one of The Weeknd’s best songs imo. Perfectly executed pop track

[@charliejordan4490]

@@zclan4130 yeah there’s also some underrated gems I forgot to name like A Lonely Night, true colors, but it’s sad there’s a decent amount of good songs but there’s probably more downsides to the album.

[@zclan4130]

@@charliejordan4490 I agree. Wouldn’t write it off as a bad album, just bad compared to what we know he’s capable of musically

[@recorder9982]

The fact that Is There Someone Else? isn’t Best Tracks is already a MBDTF-level crime, Fantano.

[@singularitiny]

That’s my fav track on the album, I was bummed out he didn’t even mention it. Or it was so subtle I didn’t even hear him mention it.

[@lean.2366]

The best part about this album is the Weeknd's vocals layered over Jim Carrey talking in the outro. That and the mushroom tea line 🍄.

[@Megaman21051212]

That part literally makes you feel like you're ascending to heaven

[@Synthysizer]

that’s jim carrey??? wow

[@daviddebast3203]

I like the interpretation that you are hearing this album while your dying/stuck in purgatory. Jim carrey’s part strongly allude to dying and forgoving yourself and losing your regrets so you can go to heaven. if this is gonna be an album trilogy, after hours could be the weekends’ characters hedonistic life, Dawn FM is dying and going into purgatory, then the next album could have a heavy heaven/hell theme which maybe sees the weeknd as a character repenting for his sins and/or ebeneezer scrooging his way into being a better man.

[@MayFlora]

Agreed

[@bilhelm000]

Less Than Zero is already my favorite Weeknd song of all time. Combined with Phantom Regret, it just gives me chills as such a backhandedly uplifting conclusion to this album.

[@antcoelho]

i still prefer After Hours but yeah 8/10 is a pretty fair score for Dawn FM, i loved it

[@kingofhearts9020]

What’s AH rating for you?

[@ValeVortex]

@@kingofhearts9020 9/10 for me

[@SMohinder]

After hours to me is like a 8.5 and Dawn Fm is like a 8.

[@mirroredheart7292]

Haven’t listened to this one yet but After Hours is easily a 9/10, no skips on that thing. & the title track is one of his best songs ever.

[@Gintoki_Madao]

@Ten O the deluxe was awesome.. Nothing compares and missed you get me in my feels

[@nikeshlilani5215]

so light 8 is NOT a strong 8 which is not a light 9 which is not a strong 9 which is not a light 10 which is not a strong 10. so its basically just a light 8 and I guess we are all happy with that.

[@dgayle2348]

I think this cemented Weeknd's sound as officially 80's. Unfortunately fans of his progressive r&b sound are all but alienated and likely won't ever get another House of Balloons, but an artist must grow.

[@lukemicklos7650]

People are sleeping so hard on this album. It goes so fucking hard I’ll never say anything bad about the weekend again

[@luxmar1]

After Hours (7) -> Dawn FM (8) -> Afterlife (9)

[@naethavenir9422]

And then the next album after that gets the KL treatment, 10/10

[@unfabulouslyfabulous]

I was not expecting him to drop a project as good as this! I’m pleasantly surprised and happy he’s still on an upswing with his career :)

[@kaiobikeg8749]

This is probably one of the dopest albums I’ve heard in decades. The next album I think will be called “ afterlife “. I think the infomercial track is a teaser for the third album.

[@YesThisIsJamesWier]

This album just clicked with me. Its absolutely beautiful

[@Isaac-ul8yz]

Yes!! I’m obsessed. After hours was great and made me a bigger fan especially after his Super Bowl performance. Dawn FM just hit every note for me

[@YesThisIsJamesWier]

@@Isaac-ul8yz I don’t know why, but it just feels so different, but familiar at the same time

[@yurio7505]

@@YesThisIsJamesWier cuz it's retro and futuristic, at the same time

[@fazeboog4351]

Was waiting for this one. Personally I have it as a 9/10

[@FreeTaylorSwift]

Like ur pfp

[@ninjajay26]

I agree

[@prodohsamuel]

boog

[@pepe_felipe]

6-8 for me

[@bluebolt1844]

i haven't listened to it but id give it a 2-5 out of ten because it's mainstream and i think liking it would be uncool

[@Variegate]

Fantano giving a mainstream album more than a 7/10? Impossible.

[@dinglemccringleberry6258]

IGOR got a 9 too. it's rare, but it is definitely possible.

[@prodplanes]

Thank U next got an 8

[@TomasZombieDogGame]

He gave Malibu a 7 which at the time was a very underground project (It’s a 10)

[@LadyBoobs]

Donda Flower Boy IGOR KSG TPAB LDA list goes on

[@anthonynazaradeh1909]

DAMN.

[@abhayagrawal7798]

Out of time, don't break my heart, I heard you're married, sacrifice, how do I make you love me ?, less than zero, gasoline, is there someone else ?; How do I choose one of them ? This album is just littt afff 🔥

[@garybutler1672]

I honestly had a very cathartic experience on my first listen through of this album. During the first half I wound up putting aside my work and started writing my wife a love letter which over the course of the rest of the album turned into a stream of consciousness coming out about my depression. By the end of the album it turned out I had summarised the emotional/intellectual inflection point of 2021 in a 700 word essay. Later in the day I read her my letter, started reconnecting with some old friends, and made a commitment to try to reach out to my estranged family.

[@sakshamtyagi9652]

Woah. I really hope this is not a copypasta.

[@unknowndeoxys00]

Powerful. I haven't given myself the time to sit and reflect and it's gonna take a couple more listens, but I had experienced a similar if tiny epiphany once I paid attention to the lyrics of Gasoline. It was like a balm for what goes through my head. I'm tabbing this album to take me through the year, because I know I'm gonna need it.

[@garybutler1672]

@@sakshamtyagi9652 It's a true story, but I actually did paste it into a message on The Weekend's community tab as well. Not sure if that makes it copypasta.

[@chriscorea2430]

Take My Breathe is a reimagined Thriller. Same length with resemblance to song structure, and even same length both track 4 on their respective albums. Man’s putting the work in.

[@MrSkerpentine]

I feel like Sacrifice is a better fit for a reimagined Thriller, especially considering that song’s bassline

[@jacobkcameron]

After Hours: 7/10 Dawn FM: 8/10 It is officially guaranteed that Hurry Up Tomorrow will be a 9/10.

[@robglobal1]

After life is his next album?

[@sihlerumo]

@@robglobal1 it most likely is cause he teased it in the 2nd half advertisement part of 'Every Angel is Terrifying'.

[@robglobal1]

@@sihlerumo I'll go find it I def didn't even realize that teaser. For sure sounds like a Weeknd title tho. Funny this album just dropped and I'm already anxious for the next one lol prob gonna be a while tho so luckily we have all of music from him to enjoy til then

[@jorge_cloonez4984]

They should have been bold and went with Gasoline as the lead single. It's a lot more interesting than Take My Breath.

[@somebodyyouneverknew1095]

Less Than Zero is easily my favorite song from the album, it’s so catchy and fun

[@sichaelmott]

I'm first and foremost a fan of OPN, and I just feel so proud on his behalf for being such a huge part of this. He gets to continue his sonic journey from his last record on one of the biggest pop-albums of today, humbly introducing cutting edge electronic music to the world in a dancable, singable package. This is a prime example of why experimental and pop should meet.

[@xbolt678]

It's so nice on the ears and there's a lot of self-reflection within the lyrics. It might not have the star power of After Hours, but it doesn't need that. It's just excellent on it's own.

[@WoahItsRuka]

Little sad that you didn't even mention "Is there someone else?". Absolutely love it. Probably my favorite track on this project.

[@theconcertaholic]

Same!!

[@dianana7371]

It has a Thursday vibe that I absolutely love

[@isaiahbunten8931]

one of my favs on the album

[@AllAbout_Music]

Out Of Time had me floating the first time I heard it

[@AZGamingEmpire]

The Weeknds Dawn FM is literally a masterpiece of it's own just like his previous albums!!🔥🔥🔥

[@camh1809]

I loved the YB feature on this album

[@ayyyayay]

yb better

[@JRZ24]

Wow super funny comment and meme I can’t even feel my lungs anymore from all this laughter

[@epicjake354]

Same

[@camh1809]

@@JRZ24 don't care + yb better

[@gooddogreallygooddog6157]

@@JRZ24 yb better plus you are white

[@angelorodriguez8991]

Fantano’s history with The Weeknd: House Of Balloons: 3/10 (said he doesn’t hate it as much anymore) Thursday: Didn’t review Echoes Of Silence: 8/10 Kiss Land: 5/10 Beauty Behind The Madness: 5/10 Starboy: 5/10 My Dear Melancholy: 5/10 After Hours: 7/10 Dawn FM: 8/10

[@nipleopolust8521]

Truly absurd

[@chagrin6919]

thursday was a 5/10 for him

[@3xtan327]

@@chagrin6919 wasn’t it just the song thursday?

[@chagrin6919]

@@3xtan327 i don't think he rates singles

[@blackknight1037]

I still can't believe he gave MDM and BBTM a 5

[@sweetgregt]

I actually vibe more with the second half of the record. Love the mix of his new pop sound, the synth/funk sound from Starboy, and his classic R&B stuff. Production and songwriting are top notch all around.

[@rjgreer7561]

always love to hear what you have to say about albums whether I agree or not, but very happy that we agreed on this album. Thanks for always keepin it real 🔥

[@ritchierich2793]

His most cohesive album in terms of the sounds/music production... You could tell his more on the dance music site compared to other catalogue he has in the past..

[@tj-bk1eb]

the way everyone who said they hated this album is gonna love it now

[@deadeye2078]

Nah the album to me is still a 7, not in love with it but I definitely enjoyed it

[@jamescruz8678]

jokes on you I already formed my own opinion

[@no1u521]

Lmao deadass bandwagoners

[@FlyingPirahna1]

I loved After Hours, and OPN. I was so stoked to see them work together on that album, and I found myself wishing they'd gone further with it. So Dawn FM is pretty much perfect for me in the sense that OPN is just ALL OVER this record, so much of the production is so distinctly him and it really lends the album that otherworldly dance party feel. It's dark and tense and eerie while still being super catchy and dance-y, which I'd imagine is fucking hard to pull off. The highs aren't quite as high as After Hours for me, but Fantano's right in how this record does feel more like a complete experience.

[@sorenolsen9281]

HE GAVE A WEEKND ALBUM AN 8! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!

[@alirezagol2933]

echoes of silence

[@Rxmbler]

I loved the Abel Tesfaye feature on this album

[@zachdirects]

I love the combo of the dark rnb Abel came up on and theses experimental 80s beats like gasoline which meers both these styles

[@Spectoral_on_SPOTIFY]

Every Angel includes an ad for the third record in the trilogy, it will be called After Life, completing the After Hours - Dawn FM - After Life trilogy. I'm calling it.

[@100widzy]

I love this album so much. The more I listen to it the better it gets. I think it’s the best work of his career so far. The Weeknd is definitely one of the best artists of our time.

[@disastersamar5658]

Thanks for letting Cal out of the basement more often this year Melon we all missed him

[@barrjgccd1426]

2022 has started beautifully with already more Cal appearances than last year

[@zeeb02]

He would’ve given it a 7 if it were “DAMN.” by Kendrick Lamar

[@jpegson_g]

DAMN. FM

[@spartan_a1176]

Didn't he gave that one an 8/10?

[@bigmankam]

DAMN is Kendrick's worst album, idk why people were getting mad when he gave it a 7 even tho it's a positive score GKMC > TPAB > Section.80 > DAMN

[@clementinelives]

@@spartan_a1176 nah, a 7

[@spartan_a1176]

@@clementinelives on damn ?

[@WRLLallstar]

Love how Anthony’s level of depth in his reviews seems to reflect the level of effort the artist put into creating the album. This in depth analysis deepened my appreciation for this album even further, keep it up fantano.

[@Forgan_Mreeman]

Stanthony Frantano

[@vinhxo2k632]

That transition from 'Best Friend' to 'Is There Someone Else' is pure bliss, kinda surprised you didn't mention it

[@ryancloudz]

I wonder if Jim Carrey wrote the dialogue for that last track.. Cause DAMN! “You gotta be Heaven to see Heaven.”

[@qdominika7253]

Its amazing tbh

[@nonergonon]

He’s credited as a writer on it

[@OppenheimerJ.]

Abel is just 2 albums away from getting a 10

[@Synthysizer]

this album is amazing. hits all the notes of being a pop megastar while having a crazy amount of artistic detail. 10/10

[@djgamecx9489]

I hate the comparisons to Save Your Tears bc Less than Zero is designed as a foil to that. The same origin but different tones and messages. Save Your Tears is a passive aggressive song about telling someone that "we're done, shove it" after a breakup in the more violent and abbressive message that After Hours portrays, whereas Less than Zero shows more acceptance to the end of a relationship with lyrics like "you tried your best with me I know" in the message of reasonability and healing that Dawn FM portrays. Why I think Less than Zero is better than Save Your Tears is the afformeantioned reasons of being a foil as well as it being a song with more depth. It doesn't just contrast to Save Your Tears, but shows that he still doesn't like it as well, not to mention the instrumentals are far deeper as well.

[@arlofleenor1838]

i really enjoyed this album. while the songwriting wasn't mindblowing or anything, the record is greater than the sum of its parts. its got a really awesome, interesting vibe and a real atmosphere. you can really fall into this album.

[@dizznotdizzy]

if you really look into it, the writing is pretty sick. the story the record tells is super interesting. although i must say that i dont understand why we’re hearing a bunch of fall in love, break up, and fwb stories on our way to whatever comes after death but regardless the stories he tells are interesting enough. maybe not to the level of after hours but it still tells more of a cohesive story than any of his other albums as far as im aware.

[@benkuru5281]

@@dizznotdizzy I think it ties into the message as a whole. Like the character is reliving their regrets. It would’ve been cool to see him explore different aspects of regret and not just relationships, but either way, it’s a great continuation to the overall concept of this new trilogy

[@dizznotdizzy]

@@benkuru5281 oh alright thanks for the insight. i'll consider that on my next listen

[@luigimarino374]

@@benkuru5281 Not sure if this is what OP meant but I'm thinking of that as lyric writing, which I think was pretty good on the album. I think of songwriting in the more traditional sense, as the whole package, and mainly the vocal melodies over the chord progressions. I like the concept of the album and its sonically pleasing, but I don't think the songwriting isn't nearly as catchy as After Hours. Not that I'm only looking for hits, but I do like when artists like Abel have those almost epic and grand songs. The melody choices are a little bit quirky, which isn't bad, just not as infectious as the Max Martin hits off of AH.

[@mauriciohiure2192]

when i heard Tomoko Aran - Midnight Pretenders being sampled in Out of Time i KNEW this would be one of my favorite albums ever and definitely my favorite The Weeknd album, City Pop is life

[@Harveygregorxotwod]

Anthony really released this at 5 am in the UK “ITS 5 AM MY TIME AGAIN”

[@glorgen]

Honestly loved this album a lot. I thought every song was pretty great, although I think the Tyler and Wayne tracks didn’t really hit the same way for me, but I thought they were still solid. Other than that the only complaint I have is that I don’t really see what “Every Angel Is Terrifying” adds to the record. Strong 8 to a Light 9 for me.

[@thenewguy5752]

The Weeknd has been my favorite artist since 2016, roughly around the time that Starboy came out. I’ve listened to all of his projects numerous times. House of Balloons is my favorite album (Ik it’s a mixtape) of all time. While BBTM and Starboy both had some great hits that I love and go back to regularly, After Hours and Dawn FM are just on another level when it comes to concept and storytelling. They’ve both taken pop music and transformed it into something cohesive and cinematic in a way that most other current pop artists would never even attempt to do. It’s such an exciting time to be a Weeknd fan, and I can’t wait for the third act of this new trilogy, hopefully sooner than later.

[@kelleyreeves965]

I agree, and although it's an EP, I'd say My Dear Melancholy is a real highlight front to back in his discography

[@thenewguy5752]

@@kelleyreeves965 oh yeah, I am a huge huge MDM fan. Wasted Times is a top 5 Weeknd song for me. My only real complaint is that it’s short

[@Raotev]

It’s actually so refreshing to have non-music bits at the start or end of tracks that actually add to the overall narrative of the album in a compelling and meaningful way. The only album of recency other than DAWN AM that has really done this was the new Killers album (and I’d say it does it to an even better degree).

[@Swollen_Goat]

I have listened to it twice so far and I definitely love it. It is for sure a mood and not something I would go to at all times but in the 30 minute morning drive to work it does a perfect job of setting the vibe since it's still dark.

[@PsychoticSmith]

I’m still pissed they snubbed him at the Grammys for After Hours. That was complete fucking bullshit.

[@WhenItsHalfPastFive]

Is There Someone else is my favorite on the album. Nice change of pace from the 80's theme he's been going for in the past 3 albums. While I do like this album, I kind of want him to change up the beat choices on the next album.

[@JRZ24]

One of my favorite songs in the last few years already

[@mister-pinkman]

Same

[@thenewguy5752]

I’m surprised he didn’t even mention it in the review, I love that song as well

[@kaiobikeg8749]

The “ angels are terrible “ track is an infomercial for the next album. “ subscribe to afterlife “

[@raphmate741]

please make a "the weeknd ranked" video where you rank all of his albums, after he realeases the last LP in this trilogy

[@dhruvbhoria5698]

Good to see cal featuring often,also agree with the score!

[@proxreckless1997]

Oyasumi Pun Pun, nice

[@PTX9017]

If this was Dawn FM by The Weeknd, you would've given it a strong 7 to a light 8.

[@ilovecody7514]

Dawn FM is my favorite Weeknd album hands down. It feels so 80s pulling from niche aspects of that era while not feeling like a cash in pastiche. Gasoline with its posh old school inflections, Here we go again being a throwback not only in balladry but also in Lyrical content for Abel with a victory lap in singing about his accolades, and ao much more. Dawn FM is like a concept album where world building is the concept. Creating a setting with the radio show seemingly trying to distract you from the dystopia that could be alluded to going on beyond the albums uplifting nature. This isn't trying to give a commentary on our world in the now per se but build its own world on the past and what is going on in the future. But that's just me.

[@PokeBallerLuke]

great comment, totally agree. I’m glad a lot of Weeknd fans can get behind the pop music. I love the old R&B stuff but I feel like with these last two albums, he really evolved his sound and is truly one of the most creative artists in the main stream, in my opinion!

[@crow33215]

Yes quite the contrary my fellow sir, the musically sonically sound of emphatically accolades of interesting inflections. Such a concrete symposium of lyrically deep pastiche niche artwork of yore. Quite indubitably

[@noneofall1397]

Beautiful production harmonically, with all the synths just dancing beautifully all over the place. Rhythmically however it’s very lacking imo. I wasn’t expecting to be left without any real bumps. Also for Tyler to be one of the few feats on this record, the song did not play towards any of Tyler’s strengths. The melon might need a few more listens on that one.

[@rockwjz]

This album, to me, gets better and better and better with each listen. I usually hate saying this but it’s an album that while doesn’t require it, but is highly recommended to listen to while wearing headphones or a high quality stereo to hear the incredible production.

[@NoseHasEyes]

Great Review! It was cool that Abel exposed your area code.

[@TheAdaoo7]

Easy 9/10 for me. Could be his best album

[@SuperEman500]

Woah, best album? Compared to Starboy?

[@TheAdaoo7]

@@SuperEman500 yup For me anyway

[@cyraxVamp25]

AOTY year and it aint even close. i give it at least a 9. no misses really

[@kayzeblaze]

Bro you gonna break down every song and not talk about "Is there someone else" 🙄smh...

[@dalydos3]

I love everything about this album. My favorite band is Depeche Mode I have all of their albums. Love lots of the 80’s. My moms favorite artist is MJ so listening to this makes me feel closer to her.

[@dylanporter8105]

My favourite part was Jim Carey screaming "sonic the hedgehog rule 34!" Over and over over each of the tracks such a goof celebrity cameo

[@Chuydoesartfr]

I do agree that Jim Carrey literally CARRIED the weeknd on this album fantano.

[@me_meyou_youus_us]

Really liked the album, loved the whole theme of the record. In a world where everything is now geared towards singles. I would have agree with review the second half isn't as good but it is still the best pop record I have listed to in a while.

[@thecroissantsquad4284]

Idk why everyone doesn’t like it. I loved it at first listen and I’m not a weekend giy

[@torontoenvironment9899]

Just so y'all know 103.5 is one of the biggest radio stations in Toronto, which probably inspired the DAWN FM 103.5 reference on the album

[@giovanniortiz7301]

I really loved this album other than the Wayne feature could’ve gone without it but I definitely would’ve gave it a hard 8 light 9

[@JuanSolo56]

twin

[@ltcolcapybara]

Out of Time is already my most listened to song of this year. I just can’t NOT listen to it at least once a day.

[@prettierjesus3119]

It hasn’t even been a week.

[@metallic4888]

I can’t not listen to this whole album at least twice a day

[@akshaymahi9024]

Instantly fell in love with the track, probably listened to it a hundred times this week.

[@blondedzero]

Anthony Fantano giving a mainstream album more than a 7/10? Impossible.

[@waluigi521]

he gives every mainstream album a 7/10

[@dancerarinz556]

@@waluigi521 Not true. He gave Lizzo an 8, Billie Eilish's first album an 8, Charli XCX's "Charli" a 9 and his album of 2019, etc.

[@zacharybeer9517]

@@dancerarinz556 Charli is hardly mainstream tho lol

[@tokitoki9156]

@@dancerarinz556 Ariana grande got an 8 too, Montero got a 7, Drake got an 8 once too.

[@dancerarinz556]

@@waluigi521 Lana got an 8, Ariana got an 8, Kanye got an 8 and his KSG project with Cudi got a 10, Chloe and Halle got an 8, Phoebe Bridgers got an 8, HAIM got an 8, Tyler the Creator got a 9 and multiple 8's. I can go on, but yeah, he gives mainstream artists high scores all the time.

[@jonahfreeman3463]

Anthony, The thing I enjoy most about you is your ability to keep an unbiased perspective of the music even though you know that your relationship to the music is completely separate. Thank you for what you do Fantano.

[@ariqfauzan4982]

i personally liked after hours better, it feels darker, more cinematic and dramatic. however dawn fm definitely is much more consistent and complete.

[@Zekew24]

I love both but honestly think that After Hours feels much more complete to me. I felt like all of the songs on After hours were fully flushed out, where I think a lot of the 2-minute cuts on Dawn FM didn't really get the runtime to make it to where they seemingly wanted to go. I think Take My Breath is the best example of a flushed out and complete track, especially the extended album version, which results in it being probably the highlight of the entire project. Is There Someone Else into Starry Eyes is probably my personal favorite moment but I cant help but wish that the songs were longer than 2 and a half minutes. Still an amazing concept album and the visuals only add the the world building!

[@adris3431]

I like to think AH was almost a modern re-imagining of The Weeknd's old self.

[@Junior13113]

Love these Heaven's Gate UFO death cult-type beats 👽 But totally agree on hearing the influence of Depeche Mode, especially in the first half. The first 5 or so tracks are just a flawless run of grooves, but it began to wane in the second half. There were moments of greatness on the latter portion, but not nearly on par with the beginning.

[@thetrashbaby]

Few albums have caught my attention and love from the first listen. I can name Anima by Thom Yorke, IGOR by Tyler. When I saw the little teaser Abel posted on Twitter I knew that I had to give it a listen. I don't usually listen to The Weeknd, didn't care much about After Hours or previous albums. I really love this EP he released in 2018/2019 (can't remember), My Dear Melancholy, though. Dawn FM already caught my attention with the teaser and is now probably one of my favourite album ever lol. It's very cinematic. I agree it doesn't have the power for the singles but I'd rather have a better experience as a whole than just a few songs for the radio.

[@justanotheryoutubewatcher5330]

I actually love "I heard you're married" its just so fun to bop along to in the background whilst playing a game. Gets me groovin

[@jayden9851]

Dawn Fm is his best album imo