The Weeknd teases new music

American singer and songwriter The Weeknd teased new music in a snippet posted on social media called ‘The Dawn Is Coming’ and generally spoke about it to a news outlet, calling it “the album I’ve always wanted to make.” According to Variety, the song had a heavy electronic dance groove reminiscent of ‘Alive 2007’-era Daft Punk, but with the Weeknd’s haunting, echo-laden melody soaring over it.

The Weeknd teased the new song with three days of hints, first a wiped Instagram account, followed by a new post and a song snippet. However, new music has been expected for some time, especially since the long series of remixes, features and new songs that were released in the months following his blockbuster After Hours album came to an end with 2020.

He has also changed his look. His sleek recent tie and long black jacket gave way to leather, a beard and a fuller afro.

Back in May, in an interview with Variety, the Weeknd gave a characteristic, slightly enigmatic hint about what his next album will be like, saying “If the last record is the after hours of the night, then the dawn is coming.” There’s no question that After Hours is a dark album. All one needs to do is watch some of its videos, which basically add up to a horror film.

His statement that “the dawn is coming” naturally suggests that at least the subject matter of the songs will be brighter, and could provide him with a next chapter for the After Hours narrative, one that he could expand during the tour that has now been postponed twice due to the pandemic.