The Weeknd’s latest album, Hurry Up Tomorrow is sleek, moody, and expertly produced—but it never quite catches fire.
It starts with a whimper, not a bang. Wake Me Up opens with lush strings and a soulful vocal, then shifts into a mid-tempo electro-disco groove somewhere between Earth, Wind & Fire and Michael Jackson. Open Hearts leans heavily into the A-ha-inspired synth-pop territory of Blinding Lights, especially in the vocal melodies. There’s no surefire smash this time, but Timeless comes close, and the single São Paulo—built around a minimalist synth riff—sticks in your head despite (or because of) the obnoxiously catchy guest verse from Brazilian rapper São Paulo.
It’s a producer’s album more than a songwriter’s album. The retro-modernist production gives the record its identity, but at times, it’s too much—too many tricks, too many abrupt shifts. Prince and George Clinton knew how to balance sonic experimentation with cohesion. The Weeknd hasn’t quite cracked that code yet. Songs cram in too many ideas and don’t let them breathe. Simpler structures, smoother transitions—less cut-and-paste—would have made a difference.
Too many guests, too much bloat. The album runs long, and while some collaborations add texture, others dilute the focus. Tesfaye’s voice is fantastic throughout, but it doesn’t always need so much processing. And while the 80s influence remains strong, the album could use more actual danceable moments. A few tracks (Reflections Laughing, Give Up On Me) hint at a more organic sound, with flashes of guitar or piano, but it’s not enough.
The biggest problem? It’s good—sometimes really good—but not exciting. It’s mopey, but not in a way that pulls you in. The Cure and The Smiths turned melancholy into something universal. Here, it feels like an artist looking inward instead of outward. Maybe shedding The Weeknd persona isn’t a bad idea after all.
Release date: January 31st, 2025
Produced by: Max Martin, Mike Dean, Ojivolta, Oscar Holter, Pharrell Williams, Sean Solymar, The Weeknd, Twisco
Label: XO, Republic Records
Rating: 6:10
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