Rating: 2/5
I’m assuming the cover picture is artificially aged but according to paper https://www.papermag.com/the-weeknd-dawn-fm-cover-2656216542.html?rebelltitem=12#rebelltitem12 it’s really him or at least they seem to think so. Whatever the case, I like the cover. It’s been tough. I’m taking this a symbolic expression of what we’ve all been through.
Unfortunately, I’m not as impressed with the music. The ongoing radio personality snippets brought to us by his fellow Canadian, Jim Carey, compare unfavorably to Roger Waters’ Radio KAOS.
I’m tired of these albums that are supposed to show maturity and the artist finding his space and coming into his own and all that. Losing your edge and grit isn’t a good thing. He’s a great singer but a poor man’s Michael Jackson offers us nothing seeing as we can still listen to the real Michael Jackson.
The Weeknd reminds me of Seal with the priceless immortalizing single Can’t Feel My Face paralleling Crazy.
Perhaps most disappointing is that Tyler’s appearance offers very little. Quincy Jones, on the other hand, provides the record with its most interesting moment and I want to nod respectfully to his story of misfortune and trauma. Reminds me of Larry Hoover Jr.’s appearance on Ye’s new masterpiece Donda.
Warmth Highest 