Dawn FM: Traffic to Heaven

“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. But what’s the rush? Just relax and enjoy another hour of commercial ‘free yourself’ music on 103.5 Dawn FM. Tune in.” 

The Weeknd's highly anticipated album Dawn FM arrived almost a year ago on January 7th of 2022, and it did not disappoint. This latest release is a departure from the artist's previous work, instead opting for a more upbeat and fantastical approach inspired by the Weeknd's experience hosting his own radio show on Apple Music. Structured like a radio program with DJ Jim Carrey setting the stage for each segment, the album features a unique and captivating sound that blends elements of disco, 1980s R&B, and experimental electronic music.

In his lyrics, the Weeknd grapples with the fear and terror that is inherent in the human experience, exploring themes of death and the afterlife. He uses the metaphor of a traffic jam in a tunnel to represent purgatory, with the light at the end representing death. The Weeknd effectively incorporates this concept into the album, using it to explore the looming dread and terror that is inherent in the human experience without offering simplistic or incomplete theories about the meaning of life. On Dawn FM, the Weeknd takes listeners on a journey towards death, with Jim Carrey playing the role of a blissed-out radio DJ and parody commercials for the afterlife adding to the experience.

The first half of the album is filled with energetic and euphoric tracks like "How Do I Make You Love Me?", featuring Swedish House Mafia, and the infectious "Sacrifice." The back half moves into a more serene and soulful vibe with tracks like "Is There Someone Else?" and the dreamy "Starry Eyes." Despite the somewhat dark album cover, the Weeknd's intention with this release is to offer hope and optimism in these trying times, tackling themes of fear and terror in his lyrics while avoiding simplistic or incomplete theories about the meaning of life.

One of the standout features of Dawn FM is the artist's evolution as he moves beyond his previous focus on debauchery and self-destruction. From the catchy dance tracks "How Do I Make You Love Me" and "Don't Break My Heart" to the immersive and emotionally complex tracks like "Sacrifice" and "Out of Time," this album has something for everyone. Dawn FM blends electronic squiggles, panoramic bleats, and shimmering orchestration with the Weeknd's signature vocal style. This creates a captivating and immersive listening experience that draws the listener in from the first track. Lyrically, the Weeknd tackles themes of love, devotion, and compromise with a mix of cynicism and vulnerability. On "Sacrifice," he navigates the boundaries of a relationship, while on "Gasoline," he sings about his partner's role in preventing him from overdosing in a spiritual and enlightening tone. In addition to its standout tracks, Dawn FM also includes a spoken-word interlude by Quincy Jones and nods to Michael Jackson's Off the Wall era on the track "Out of Time." These elements add depth and texture to the album, making it a truly standout release.

There are plenty of surprises to be found throughout the album, such as the incorporation of a sample from a 1983 Japanese city pop song into a shimmery ballad and the inclusion of a Beach Boys member on background vocals alongside Tyler, the Creator's repetition of the phrase "You gon' sign this prenup." The album really shines when the Weeknd delves into more experimental territory, like on the five-minute version of "Take My Breath," which features the Weeknd's struggles for air reverberating over the striding beat. Most of the tracks do well in blending RnB, pop, and 80’s disco, and wouldn’t be out of place in an episode of Stanger Things. A lot of this album in terms of production and vocals reminds me of Michael Jackson. Sonically, this album and Thriller make me feel similar things. I loved the production on this album too especially in the way the tracks were mixed together and the ends and beginnings of tracks were hard to distinguish and made it really feel like there was a DJ mixing a radio show. The best example of this in my opinion is the transition between “Take My Breath” and “Sacrifice.” 

The album also includes many subtle and graceful moments, such as Quincy Jones discussing the impact of childhood trauma on his adult relationships and the Weeknd reciting a stanza from Rilke's "Duino Elegies," which speaks to the idea that "beauty is the terror we endure." This sentiment can also be seen as a thesis statement for the Weeknd's work, as it highlights the fear that anything worth having will ultimately corrode. However, it is the pursuit of beauty that makes Dawn FM so enchanting, as the Weeknd seeks out the sublime and turns the experience of a grid-locked crawl toward death into something radiant. On the final track, Jim Carrey muses about the idea that "you gotta be heaven to see heaven," encouraging listeners to let go of regret, shame, and chaos in order to find bliss. Overall, Dawn FM is a beautiful and thought-provoking album that showcases the Weeknd's growth as an artist and his ability to explore complex emotions through his music.

The Weeknd's rise to fame has been a decade in the making, and he has consistently evolved and experimented with his music throughout his career. From his early anonymous beginnings to his Super Bowl performance and his latest concept album, the Weeknd has proven himself to be a true Starboy, ascending to the top of the music industry and captivating audiences with his unique sound and relatable lyrics. His music has the ability to evoke strong emotions and connect with listeners on a deep level, making him a standout in the industry.

Overall, The Weeknd's latest album Dawn FM is a must-listen for fans of the artist's unique blend of pop, R&B, and experimental electronic music. It showcases the artist's evolution as he moves beyond his previous focus on debauchery and self-destruction, instead offering hope and optimism in these difficult times. With its unique and captivating sound and plenty of instrumental quirks, this album is a true feast for the ears. It really does give the listener of sense of nostalgia despite it being released in 2022. I think it is safe to say The Weeknd has mastered the art of modernizing 80s music. 

Standout Tracks and What to Add to your Playlists:

Take My Breath 

Sacrifice

Out of Time 

Is There Someone Else

I Heard You’re Married

Less Than Zero 

Apex Rating

4/5