The Weeknd has long been one of the most captivating figures in contemporary music. Known for his haunting falsetto, immersive soundscapes, and deeply personal lyrics, his creative journey has continually evolved. With the release of his highly anticipated album Hurry Up Tomorrow on January 31, the Canadian artist—whose real name is Abel Tesfaye—has once again reinvented himself, pushing boundaries and solidifying his place as one of the defining artists of this era.
Hurry Up Tomorrow is an ambitious 22-track album that sees The Weeknd collaborating with an eclectic mix of artists, including Lana Del Rey, Future, Travis Scott, Anitta, Playboi Carti, and the legendary Giorgio Moroder. Speaking to Complex, The album’s wide-ranging influences—from pop and R&B to disco, funk, and electronic music—reflect the multifaceted nature of The Weeknd’s artistry and the increasingly genreless future of music. The album’s bold, experimental sound marks a new chapter in The Weeknd’s career, blending nostalgia with a forward-thinking approach to music-making.
The Rise of Abel Tesfaye: From Underground Talent to Global Icon
The Weeknd’s rise to fame was anything but conventional. Starting his career with anonymous uploads on YouTube, Tesfaye quickly garnered attention with his unique style, which combined moody, atmospheric production with raw, confessional lyrics. His music resonated with listeners who craved authenticity and emotional depth in an era of manufactured pop stars. By 2012, The Weeknd had become a household name, with the release of his critically acclaimed mixtapes House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence, followed by his breakthrough studio albums Starboy (2016) and After Hours (2020). With Hurry Up Tomorrow, The Weeknd has once again shown that he is more than just a pop star—he is a visionary artist unafraid to push the boundaries of both his music and his persona.
The new album marks a moment of transition for Tesfaye, who has hinted that he may be stepping away from the The Weeknd persona in favor of returning to his birth name, Abel Tesfaye. “I’ve been getting weary of my alter ego,” he said in an interview. “I feel like I’ve outgrown him.” This desire for change reflects the growing tension between Tesfaye’s public image as The Weeknd—an enigmatic figure shrouded in mystery and allure—and his more personal, introspective side.
A Sonic Depth Charge: Hurry Up Tomorrow and the Power of the Algorithm
Hurry Up Tomorrow arrives as an aural and emotional depth charge, with the album’s first-week sales reaching an impressive 490,500 units—marking the biggest opening of The Weeknd’s career. This success reflects not just his enduring popularity but also the evolution of the music industry in the age of streaming. The album’s opening single, “Timeless,” which features Playboi Carti, is a perfect example of the way The Weeknd continues to play with genre and style, merging his signature sound with Carti’s innovative approach to trap music.
With Hurry Up Tomorrow, The Weeknd has solidified his role in shaping the sound of the digital age. The album’s expansive, genre-blending approach mirrors the way algorithms shape our listening habits, with songs flowing seamlessly from one to the next, creating a cohesive experience that transcends traditional genre boundaries. From the haunting melancholy of “One of the Girls” (which features Jennie Kim and Lily-Rose Depp) to the cinematic intensity of “Playboi Carti,” The Weeknd masterfully curates a soundscape that feels at once futuristic and deeply rooted in the past.
