The Weeknd released his fourth studio album as planned on March 20

The Toronto artist, Abel Tesfaye, released his new album “After Hours” on March 20. Speaking to the american magazine Billboard, The Weeknd acknowledged that it was “very bizarre” to be releasing and promoting an album in the current climate.

The Weeknd has admitted that he initially thought that “it might have been insensitive” to release “After Hours” while the world is grappling with the coronavirus health crisis. Albums by Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, Sam Smith and many others have been pushed several months, due to practical matters of marketing as well as the bigger concern of appearing unconcerned to the fast unfolding tragedy.

Nevertheless, Tesfaye argued that the album could help some people escape our reality, even if only for an hour out of the day, and, on March 30, The Weeknd released three more tracks as part of the deluxe edition of “After Hours”. The arrival of this deluxe edition followed two years on from the release of his last work, the 2018 EP “My Dear Melancholy”.

To promote the new album, The Weeknd has a global arena tour planned with a first U.S. stop in St. Paul, Minnesota, set for June 22. However, all of that could change, though, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. A number of other performers have already suspended their tours until further notice.

“After Hours” album debuted at the top of the Billboard album chart for the 200 more sold per week, on April 1. Even in its first week, the numbers bear out this record with 2 billion global streams and nearly 2 million in global consumption (a combination of streams and sales), which easily debuting at No. 1 in the U.S., Australia, the U.K., Ireland, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and New Zealand.

Creatively, the album is also just as much of a success. “After Hours” hits the best balance yet of the dark melodrama of the Weeknd’s 2018 EP “My Dear Melancholy” and the pop slickness of his 2016 LP “Starboy” - at once lachrymose and sleek, cold but gentle. Powered by the smash lead-up singles ‘Blinding Lights’ and ‘Heartless’, it’s a combination of bangers and ballads that emotionally reflects the maturing perspective of a The Weeknd who just turned 30.

His recent birthday milestone enabled him to revisit past demons. With its lyrical references to drugs, pain, prayer, death and even to ‘Losing My Religion’ from Elton John, ‘Faith’ single raises many serious questions. The song is about the darkest time of his entire life - around 2013/2014 - when he first became famous. At the time, he had even got arrested in Vegas for punching a police officer. As an attempt to put that moment into the music, at the end of ‘Faith’, we listen sirens.

The Weeknd’s commitment to his bit can feel impersonal at times, especially when the amount of effects layered on his voice make him sound like he’s singing from the deep beyond. Generally, he does so by drawing inspiration from the ecstatic pop of the 1980s, particularly Michael Jackson, a clear vocal influence.

Portuguese version here.