By Elizabeth Chandler

On January 7, The Weeknd released Dawn Fm, a new album he announced at the start of the month. It flew relatively under the radar despite an all-star list of features, in stark contrast to his previous 2020 album that had an extremely long and well funded rollout. This album feels almost like a mixtape in comparison with its many featured artists including Tyler, the Creator, Lil Wayne, Quincy Jones, Oneohtrix Point Never, Jim Carrey, Swedish House Mafia, Max Martin, Calvin Harris, and Uncut Gems co-director Josh Safdie. 

The album has a red carpet rollout list of credits (visible below) and its conglomerate of contributions makes for a fuller and more vibrant sound than the tune of his previous albums. He specializes in angsty self numbing lyrics that feel like drinking for the first time in highschool in the basement of an acquaintance: (a mixture of dim lights, blurry vision, and a particular combination of a death wish and feeling limitless). He conveys this feeling in the album’s title track, Gasoline “And if I finally die in peace/ Just wrap my body in these sheets (Sheets)/ And pour out the gasoline.”

This new addition to the Weeknd’s body of work once again recontextualizes his musical style, reminding everyone that he is much more versatile than any one of his albums suggests. As his already extremely successful career takes another step into new territory, he continues to surprise his fans with his changing style– both musically and visually. He has never been afraid of taking risks, and this risk has seemed to pay off. 

Album Credits 

1. Dawn FM

Prod. by Max Martin, OPN, Oscar Holter and The Weeknd

2. Gasoline

Prod. by Matt Cohn, Max Martin, OPN, Oscar Holter and The Weeknd

3. How Do I Make You Love Me?

Prod. by Matt Cohn, Max Martin, OPN, Oscar Holter, Swedish House Mafia and The Weeknd

4. Take My Breath

Prod. by Max Martin, Oscar Holter and The Weeknd

5. Sacrifice

Prod. by Max Martin, Oscar Holter, Swedish House Mafia and The Weeknd

6. A Tale By Quincy

Prod. by Jeff Gitty, Max Martin, OPN and The Weeknd

7. Out Of Time

Prod. by Max Martin, OPN, Oscar Holter and The Weeknd

8. Here We Go… Again (Feat. Tyler, The Creator)

Prod. by Benny Bock, Brian Kennedy, Bruce Johnston, Charlie Coffeen, Rex Kudo and The Weeknd

9. Best Friends

Prod. by DaHeala, Matt Cohn, Max Martin, OPN, Oscar Holter and The Weeknd

10. Is There Someone Else?

Prod. by Max Martin, OPN, Oscar Holter, Peter Lee Johnson, The Weeknd and Tommy Brown

11. Starry Eyes

Prod. by Max Martin, OPN, Oscar Holter and The Weeknd

12. Every Angel Is Terrifying

Prod. by Matt Cohn, OPN and The Weeknd

13. Don’t Break My Heart

Prod. by Matt Cohn, Max Martin, OPN, Oscar Holter and The Weeknd

14. I Heard You’re Married (Feat. Lil Wayne)

Prod. by Calvin Harris, Max Martin, OPN, Oscar Holter and The Weeknd

15. Less Than Zero

Prod. by Max Martin, OPN, Oscar Holter and The Weeknd

16. Phantom Regret By Jim

Prod. by Matt Cohn, Max Martin, OPN, Oscar Holter and The Weeknd