The Weeknd returns this Friday (Jan. 7) with his next album, Dawn FM. In an Instagram post on Monday (Jan. 3), the Canadian crooner shared a teaser clip for his upcoming effort, which is billed as “a new sonic universe from the mind of The Weeknd.”
The trailer sees The Weeknd getting kidnapped by a group of cloaked individuals and being carried into a dark room where he sees his older self.
“You are now listening to 103.5 Dawn FM,” a radio broadcaster says in the distance. “You’ve been in the dark for way too long. It’s time to walk into the light and accept your fate with open arms.”
According to the trailer, Dawn FM will see appearances from Tyler, the Creator; Lil Wayne; Quincy Jones; actor Jim Carrey and producer Oneohtrix Point Never.
The Weeknd has long been teasing Dawn FM, which will follow up his highly acclaimed and award-winning 2020 album, After Hours.
During an October episode of his “Memento Mori” Apple Music show, the 31-year-old revealed that Dawn FM was finished.
“Some Dawn updates… Album is complete,” he said at the time. “Only thing missing is a couple characters that are key to the narrative. Some people that are near and dear to me, some people that inspired my life as a child… and some that inspire me now.”
Speaking with GQ, The Weeknd previously described Dawn FM as “the album I’ve always wanted to make.”
“[It’s] Quincy Jones meets Giorgio Moroder, meets the best-night-of-your-fucking-life party records,” he said.
Jones, who is featured on Dawn FM, was clearly a musical influence on the album as The Weeknd called the legendary producer his “idol” while accepting the Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award at the 2021 Music in Action Awards last year.
“Take My Breath,” Dawn FM‘s first official single, arrived back in August. See the album’s trailer on Instagram below and find it out on Jan. 7.