After Hours / The Weeknd / March 13, 2020
- Joshua Yoo
- Apr 28, 2020
- 1 min read
Updated: Sep 13, 2020
It’s a complete transformation for The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) from his previous music, and it’s a welcome one. “After Hours” is full of energy, emotion, and introspection, spun together in a refreshing way. Like the title suggests, Abel creates and sustains a sound perfectly suited for the more solemn and serious messages he conveys through each song, utilizing minor keys often. Heavy synthesizers and deep, resonating bass lines help establish this tone stylistically well (“Heartless”), as well as the very evident spacey and atmospheric mixing that really compliments Abel’s falsetto (“Hardest to Love” & “Faith”). However, it’s Abel’s vocal performance that elevates this album above his previous work. Never has he sounded this strong or confident in his delivery, and combined with excellent vocal mixing, songs such as “Scared to Live” and “Blinding Lights” take on new effectiveness and passion that the old Weeknd couldn’t produce. Only a few number of tracks see Abel falter in his vocal delivery and take away from the spirit and energy of the songs (“Alone Again”). Including all of the 80s influences, “After Hours” is an unexpected surprise gift from The Weeknd, seeing him outside his comfort zone and thriving because of it. The sincerity of his experiences and messages can be heard in his lyrics, and the gravity of the album can be seen on the cover art: he’s created something that feels more thrilling and alive than ever.
Best Track(s): Hardest to Love, In Your Eyes, Scared to Live, Blinding Lights
Lowlight(s): Repeat After Me (Interlude), Alone Again
SCORE: 7/10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM3nIOYF2W8
Comments