The Weeknd, the moniker used by Canadian-Ethiopian artist Abel Tesfaye, officially released his latest album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, marking the conclusion of his iconic trilogy along with After Hours and Dawn FM. This significant milestone arrived on January 31, 2025, after the originally scheduled date of January 24 was postponed due to the wildfire crisis affecting Los Angeles. The artist also donated $1 million to support relief efforts, underlining his compassionate response to the disaster.
Hurry Up Tomorrow delivers more than just diverse musical offerings; it signifies the closure of The Weeknd's current persona. It showcases his sonic evolution, displaying elements of synth-pop, R&B, and electronic music intertwined with cinematic qualities. Tesfaye's introspective lyrics and immersive production create both reflective and forward-thinking narratives.
The album features notable collaborations, highlighted by the track "Timeless," which includes rapper Playboi Carti, and the vibrant song "São Paulo," featuring Brazilian sensation Anitta. "Timeless" achieved considerable success, climbing to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 before the album's release. Another intriguing element of the album is the uncredited vocals contribution from Lana Del Rey on the haunting track "The Abyss," which fans eagerly recognized. This collaboration marks another pairing of these acclaimed artists after their previous works together.
With the album, The Weeknd is also making his feature film debut through the psychological thriller Hurry Up Tomorrow, directed by Trey Edward Shults. The film will hit theaters on May 16, 2025, and is set to star Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan, providing audiences with yet another glimpse of Tesfaye's creative ambitions. He collaborated closely with Daniel Lopatin, known as Oneohtrix Point Never, to create the film's score, which adds another layer to the immersive experience of both the album and the cinematic narrative.
The album's development took shape against the backdrop of the recent California wildfires. The Weeknd made headlines not only for his artistry but also for his philanthropic efforts, helping those affected by the crisis. Still, the changes wrought by events lead to notable shifts within the artist's planned activities, including the postponement of his highly anticipated one-night stadium show at the Rose Bowl, originally scheduled for January 25.
The atmosphere surrounding Hurry Up Tomorrow is one of eager anticipation mixed with reflective nostalgia. Fans expressed surprise over the exclusion of the previously promoted single "Dancing in the Flames" from the final tracklist, leading to speculation whether the track was cut or being saved for future projects. The Weeknd's departure marks not only the end of this chapter but symbolizes the potential for new avenues of creative exploration.
The culmination of this trilogy signifies over 14 years of transformation and reinvention for The Weeknd since the release of his first mixtapes—House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence—in 2011. Those tapes were later remastered and compiled as Trilogy and released through his label, XO, and Republic Records.
With Hurry Up Tomorrow, The Weeknd invites listeners to engage with the music on multiple levels. His departure from the persona brings feelings of closure yet hints at what is yet to come as Abel Tesfaye. It’s not merely about saying goodbye; it’s about pushing artistic boundaries and embracing evolution. Fans can stream Hurry Up Tomorrow on all major platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, and more, as they prepare to experience the multifaceted artistry of The Weeknd.