Entertainment Weekly - 04.2020

“In the Night”

The Weeknd, 30, stretches

the boundaries of his vocal register

on this springy ’80s-inspired track.

His adoration of a scorned, jaded

muse allows him to bask in rich and

vivid storytelling: “She was numb

and she was so codependent/She

was young and all she had was the

city/But I don’t mind.”

“Reminder”

The crooner holds nothing

back on this 2016 cut, as he ear-

nestly reflects on his achievements

and how he tries to make space for

himself in music’s blue-eyed-soul

climate, with verses that feel as

rapturous as rap bars.

“Heartless”

One of the lead singles off

After Hours finds the Weeknd

reporting from a void of chemical

dependency and sex addiction,

leaning into the skid of self-

loathing with vigor. Everything

about the song is colossal, from its

earth-shattering bass to its lyrical

tawdriness, as he conveys his

shameless enjoyment of staying

in the limelight.

“Pray for Me” feat. Kendrick

Lamar

This impassioned, wiry single off

the Black Panther soundtrack com-

bines the Weeknd’s transcendental

vocals with the raw unpredictabil-

ity of Lamar’s contribution. As

Tesfaye chants, “Tell me who’s gon’

save me from myself,” his anguish

and sensitivity shine through.

“Often”

A sultry sample of Turkish

singer Nükhet Duru’s “Ben Sana

Vurgunum” brilliantly showcases

the loneliness the Weeknd both

despises and cherishes. The slinky

melodies and repetitive chorus

reiterate exactly who Tesfaye is

and enjoys being: a glacial yet self-

less lover who gives pleasure as

much as he receives it.

“Kiss Land”

This nearly eight-minute-

long adventure is an expansive

look into the Weeknd’s approach

THE WEEKND’S

10 BEST SINGLES

HE’S GOT A NEW HAIRCUT, A NEW(ISH) SOUND, AND A

NEW ALBUM (AFTER HOURS, DROPPING MARCH 20). IN HONOR OF IT ALL,

WE COUNT DOWN SOME OF ABEL TESFAYE’S TOP TRACKS.

By Candace McDuffie

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NABIL ELDERKIN

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