The night before his fourth album dropped, The Weeknd’s Abel Tesfaye stated, “Let the music heal us all during these dark times.” “After Hours” reveals a new and mysterious side to The Weeknd that proves to his fans that his musical style is constantly evolving. He has not lost his talent as he blends R&B ballads and brilliant singles that move people to their feet.

Fans have long been anticipating his return since his first single “Heartless” dropped on Nov. 26, 2019. This thrilling song shows that the Weeknd is back to his old ways of using drugs, lusting after women and being reckless. Not even 48 hours later, he dropped his 80’s inspired, glitzy #1 song “Blinding Lights.” Leaving breathless fans aching for more, he held off his release of the album until March 20, 2020.

The topic matters trace back to his early roots of drugs, sex and violence and how these vices can only heal a broken person for a limited timeframe before they eventually spiral downwards. Sticking to heartbreak and trying to seek happiness in the midst of it all, he incorporates elements of his past albums and EP’s to craft a masterpiece. The heartbreaking beats of his 2018 EP “My Dear Melancholy” dance with the slightly vulgar lyrics of “Beauty behind the Madness.” Combing the funk of “Starboy” and laid back tone of “Kissland”, The Weeknd’s math perfectly adds up to create his best album yet.

The rollercoaster of an album starts out with “Alone Again,” proving that Tesfaye is back to where it all begins. “Baby, won’t you remind me what I am and break my little cold heart?” the Weeknd pleads as the mood dramatically alters. Dark synth shifts midway in the song as the singer begs to his ex, “I don’t know if I can be alone again.” This short song brings more than enough energy to the table and thoroughly hypes up listeners for what’s to come.

After synth filled songs, The Weeknd slows the energy down to deliver his most powerful ballad to date, “Scared to Live.” “When I saw the signs, I should’ve let you go, but I held you beside me” introduces the opening lyric. The sentimental song narrates the story of two lovers who were sadly not to be and even though it causes them both great anguish, it should not hold them captive to the ideas of new love forming.

Following the ballad are fresh new songs that trace back to Tesfaye’s childhood and thrilling experiences of what is not known to the public eye of LA. When the listener thinks the mood could not get anymore laid back, The Weeknd swoops in with his Billboard Hot 100 #1 song, “Blinding Lights.”  The fast-paced anthem makes people jump to their feet and move along to this catchy addictive pop song.

As the album starts to wind down, the self titled song “After Hours” floats in. The eerie beat floats down and incorporates begging and questioning the listener to alter their views on the narrator. The song picks up to a mesmerizing beat, but leaves in a haunting whisper. “Where are you now that I need you most? This time I won’t break your heart” are some of the most powerful lyrics.

While the Weeknd does not reveal much about his personal life, he blatantly leaves his emotions on the table, vulnerable for everyone to see. The passionate storytelling behind all of his songs pay off as this week his entire album is on the Billboard Hot 100, 10 of his 14 songs, making the top 40. Whether he adds three additional songs to his deluxe album or makes a live appearance on television promoting the album, The Weeknd gives his audience what they want. After Hours is one album that you do not want to miss.