Canadian artist, Abel Tesfaye, globally recognized as The Weeknd, is preparing to unveil what could be his final album under that moniker.
Titled ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’, the album is slated for release on January 24, marking the conclusion of a significant chapter in his career.
In a candid conversation with Variety, Tesfaye reflects on “closing this chapter.”
When pressed if he was referring solely to the After Hours trilogy—comprising 2020’s After Hours, 2022’s Dawn FM, and the forthcoming Hurry Up Tomorrow—he revealed a broader scope.
“I would say my existence as the Weeknd,” he said after a thoughtful pause.
Elaborating further, he explained the mental shift driving this decision, “It’s a headspace I’ve gotta get into that I just don’t have any more desire for. I feel like it comes with so much … You have a persona, but then you have the competition of it all. It becomes this rat race: more accolades, more success, more shows, more albums, more awards and more No. 1s. It never ends until you end it.”
A pivotal moment in this journey occurred on September 3, 2022, during the final show of his After Hours Til Dawn North American tour at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
That night, Tesfaye abruptly lost his voice mid-performance, an experience that profoundly influenced his perspective.
“Part of me actually was thinking, ‘You lost your voice because it’s done; you said what you had to say. Don’t overstay at the party — you can end it now and live a happy life. You know? Put the bow on it: Hurry Up Tomorrow? Now we’re here,’” Tesfaye reflected. “When is the right time to leave, if not at your peak? Once you understand who I am too much, then it’s time to pivot.”
Scheduled to coincide with the album’s release, a cinematic project of the same name is set to debut on May 16.
Starring Barry Keoghan and Jenna Ortega, the film concludes the trilogy, which Tesfaye describes as a semi-autobiographical exploration of “a kind of purgatory and getting to the darkest part until you find the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Musically, Hurry Up Tomorrow promises to venture into new territory.
Tesfaye blends influences ranging from “classic R&B, straight pop, acoustic guitars, and fast beats” to a grandiose closing track evocative of Prince’s Purple Rain.
The project also features an array of collaborators, though Tesfaye only disclosed one; legendary electronic producer Giorgio Moroder.
During the interview, Tesfaye also addressed the polarizing response to his provocative HBO series The Idol, which faced criticism for its explicit content and portrayal of the music industry.
“I’m really proud of it — we all are,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that, you know, it wasn’t met with the warmest [response], but we knew what we were making — something provocative and dark. Maybe it could have been told in a different way, maybe not. It was bigger than I expected. Not everything you put out is going to connect, and that’s fine. If it doesn’t, then it was a time.”
