The Weeknd curates an escapist fantasy in ‘Dawn FM’

Since releasing “After Hours” in March 2020, The Weeknd has, like the rest of the world, lived through an isolating pandemic. His latest album, “Dawn FM,” carries listeners out of that darkness into a dance-worthy ‘80s fantasy.

“Dawn FM” is certainly the singer’s most creative project yet. The album plays like a radio station, featuring autobiographical storytelling from musical icon Quincy Jones and a DJ voiced by actor and comedian Jim Carrey. The album even includes advert breaks selling fictional afterlife products and a catchy radio jingle playing every few songs.

The singer known for making even the most content soul feel deep heartache has produced an escapist fantasy that makes it hard to sit still. The chaotic combination of sorrowful lyrics, dance pop and at times, birds tweeting above the sound of gushing waterfalls shouldn’t theoretically work, except that there are no such rules for our world as it now is.