The Weeknd has unveiled his latest album Dawn FM, which features a star-studded host of collaborators including Hollywood actor Jim Carrey, narrated a video teaser for the new album shared on the singer-songwriter's Twitter account.
The cryptic teaser video opens with a close-up of The Weeknd in sunglasses looking around himself in a pitch black space, while Carrey says: "You are now listening to 103.5 Dawn FM. You've been in the dark for way too long. It's time to walk into the light and accept your fate with open arms. Scared? Don't worry. We'll be there to hold your hand and guide you through this painless transition."
As a bright spot of white light expands in the darkness, the actor says: "But what's the rush? Just enjoy and relax and enjoy another hour of commercial-free music on 103.5 Dawn FM."
As the scene fades out with The Weeknd shielding his eyes from the light, the singer is later pictured laying down on a dance floor while breathing heavily, before a group wearing all-black, Grim Reaper style outfits are seen bending forwards and backwards in unison.
tune in to Dawn FM… tonight 📡 pic.twitter.com/UqUi6O0nL7
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) January 6, 2022
Who Features on The Weeknd's New Album Dawn FM?
In addition to Carrey, the new album features contributions from a string of big names including legendary record producer and 28-time Grammy Award winner Quincy Jones as well as Lil Wayne, Tyler, the Creator and electronic music composer Oneohtrix Point Never.
Other major collaborators in the new album include Calvin Harris, Swedish House Mafia and film director Josh Safdie—who co-directed Uncut Gems (starring Adam Sandler) and Good Time (starring Robert Pattinson)—as well as record producer Max Martin, according to Pitchfork.
Dawn FM Full Track List
- Dawn FM
- Gasoline
- How Do I Make You Love Me?
- Take My Breath
- Sacrifice
- A Tale by Quincy
- Out of Time
- Here We Go...Again (feat. Tyler, the Creator)
- Best Friends
- Is There Someone Else?
- Starry Eyes
- Every Angel Is Terrifying
- Don't Break My Heart
- I Heard You're Married (feat. Lil Wayne)
- Less Than Zero
- Phantom Regret by Jim
Dawn FM Reviews
Los Angeles Times pop music critic Mikael Wood said The Weeknd's "sunniest album" appears to be framed as a "light at the end (???) of our long pandemic tunnel."
The album features "exquisitely rendered tunes lush with echoes of Michael Jackson and Depeche Mode, he's illuminating a path to fulfillment, perhaps even to happiness...," Wood described.
Spin writer Bobby Olivier said The Weeknd's new concept album unleashes a "purgatory dance fantasy" on Dawn FM.
"Once again dominates the soundscape, but with exceeding edge and power; more akin to the highs of 2016's Starboy," the writer said.
RollingStone's Will Dukes said The Weeknd "hits a new peak" with Dawn FM, anointing us "with the most enchanting music to the portal through purgatory.
"The 16 songs on Dawn FM don't grapple with the idea of addiction in the way we've come to expect from him (none of the addled "glass-table girls" of last decade's demon time)...if there's a self-help vibe here, it's refreshingly light and accessible...," he added.
Carrey previously weighed in on the new album ahead of its official release. In a tweet posted January 3, the actor said: "I listened to Dawn FM with my good friend Abel @theweeknd last night. It was deep and elegant and it danced me around the room. I'm thrilled to play a part in his symphony."
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Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in travel and health.
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