The Weeknd - Dawn FM REVIEW

7.0/10

Pop legend The Weeknd has returned with another album, but this time something more unique: an album full of layered synths, and diverse vocals we've never seen from Abel. However, this album has some trouble with consistency.

The album has a strong start with the dreamy intro track "Dawn FM", the altered vocals and variety of synths on "Gasoline", the lovely Daft Punk-sounding tracks "How Do I Make You Love Me?" and "Sacrifice", and in my opinion, the best track on the album "Take My Breath" with the deep synths and catchy melody.

"Out Of Time" offers a nice transition from the interlude "A Tale From Quincy" but is bland and boring. "Here We Go... Again" offers solid production from Tyler, The Creator with deep bassy synths as well as a solid verse from him. "Best Friends" has fine production but was an unsatisfying listen, sounding incomplete. The same goes for "Is There Someone Else?". The track is all-around sleepy with only the starry synths keeping my attention. On "Starry Eyes" I enjoyed the vocals, the reverb gave them a nice dreamy touch; it's a decent track. "Every Angel is Terrifying" offers amazingly rich synths, but is sadly followed by the lyrically bland "Don't Break My Heart". "I Heard You're Married" has a decent groovy beat with an okay Wayne verse, but the lyrics are honestly corny... perhaps it's ghostwritten by Drake? "Less Than Zero" has good pacing to it but is sadly a soulless-sounding track. The album ends on a somewhat stronger note with "Phantom Regret by Jim", a song with beautifully eerie synths and echoey background vocals from Abel.

If you're craving some good synths, this album has those moments, but it's unfortunately underwhelming melodically and lyrically at some points. I struggled to keep myself focused on the music at some points.

give it a listen