“Now that all future plans have been postponed, and it’s time to look back on the things you thought you owned, do you remember them well?” 

This is the last sentence from the last track of the song “Phantom Regret by Jim” delivered by narrator Jim Carrey that sets up the overall message of The Weeknd’s  new album Dawn FM released on January 7th. 

Dawn FM breaks the traditional image of the Weeknd with another version of his alternate universe where death and chaos surrounds an older version of himself. As the main character Abel Tesfaye looks back at the society filled with attention-seeking individuals and grudges driven by clout, he is filled with regret and rejection towards reality. However, as the album proceeds this feeling of regret has changed ino relief and acceptance as the darkness of reality is fading away while the dawn of new life comes around. 

In the title track “Gasoline”, the idea of romance under the influence of nihilism and utilitarian ideals creates a seemingly paradoxical concept. With lyrics such as “With your face all made up, living on a screen. Low on self-esteem, so you run on gasoline.”, The Weeknd comments on the current world through the metaphor of gasoline, symbolizing the ego of people  fulfilled by materialistic items such as money or reputation while losing their true self within the process.   As the older version of Tesfaye looked back on his life, he realized the negative consequences of this lifestyle. But it is all too late since he has already thrived off of this life as he “bought a hundred dollar bottle of champagne… and poured[ed] that down the drain”. Thus, he turned his mind towards a new beginning – the after life where “You will enter a world beyond your imagination. A future out of control. And an experience you’ll never forget.” (lyrics from Every Angel is Terrifying). 

Listeners are invited to join the Weeknd on his journey towards afterlife via the imaginary “103.5 Dawn FM”. With tracks influenced by 1980s Japanese city pop and retro disco, the Weeknd showcased his insecurity and anxiety towards the society in full display. Questioning the meaning of society and people’s purpose while resulting in a pessimistic response: in order to live a without regret as one looks back as a phantom, it is important to become “heavenly” right now by neglecting the materialistic ideals and embracing the “divine boogaloo” of music.    

The Weeknd once again did not disappoint the audience by creating an album that serves an echo for many people in this generation and a mirror that makes people reflect on their own life and purpose  as they listen to Dawn FM. Though it is merely a musical universe that is seemingly far from reality, the deeper meaning and concept of this album is no further from the truth of the world – a utilitarian world driven by regrets and grudges.