#The weeknd 2020 series#

Source: IMDb Climax: Blinding Lights РІР‚вЂњ Save Your Tears Act III: A Reattempt at Love / Acceptance The latter third of the song shows Abel waking up in the back of an ambulance after overdosing (РІР‚СљI ended up in the back of a flashing car // With the city shining on my faceРІР‚Сњ). Bella is still fresh on his mind (РІР‚СљI choose Vegas if they offer HeavenРІР‚в„ўs gate // I tried to love, but you know IРІР‚в„ўd never stayРІР‚Сњ) as The Weeknd descends into unconsciousness represented with slowed down vocals. The stakes rise as Abel seems to completely lose trust in himself while drenched in a mix of drugs (РІР‚СљLight a blunt up with the flame // Put that cocaine on a plate // Now my mind is outta place // РІР‚ВCause I lost my faithРІР‚Сњ). This is a new Abel who is more reckless than he has been thus far on the record. The singer discusses the way he interacts with women, his success, and drugs in a tone that is more confident, more cold-hearted, and unforgiving (РІР‚СљNever need a bitch, IРІР‚в„ўm what a bitch need // Amphetamine got my stummy feelinРІР‚в„ў sicklyРІР‚Сњ). Supporting evidence can be found in the music video for the single (which takes place at a casino resort in the city), and the singerРІР‚в„ўs mention of the City of Lights in previous tracks on the album. РІР‚СљHeartlessРІР‚Сњ signals a physical set change as now that heРІР‚в„ўs left Los Angeles, it can be assumed that he is in Las Vegas. This means they either believe all hope is lost, or have realized something that allows them to complete their objective/mission. Source: The Line of Best Fit Midpoint: HeartlessР”Р„ storyРІР‚в„ўs midpoint usually showcases the character shifting from reactive to proactive. This severed relationship also pushes the singer to finally leave Los Angeles (РІР‚СљWell this place is never what it seems // Take me out LA // Take me out of LAРІР‚Сњ РІР‚вЂњ Escape From LA). Alone with his thoughts, The Weeknd reflects on his upbringing (РІР‚СљI used to pray when I was sixteen // If I didnРІР‚в„ўt make it, then IРІР‚в„ўd probably make my wrist bleed // I just signed a new deal with MercedesРІР‚Сњ РІР‚вЂњ Snowchild). This track shows the first time the relationship is referred to in a past tense (РІР‚СљWhen I saw the signs, I shoulda let you goРІР‚Сњ РІР‚вЂњ Scared To Live). The story is set in motion by what appears to be a breakup.

Inciting Incident: Scared To Live РІР‚вЂњ Escape From LA

#The weeknd 2020 series#

Unfortunately, not all looks well for this love as РІР‚СљHardest To LoveРІР‚Сњ showcases a series of self-confessions about how Abel has done wrong (РІР‚СљBut IРІР‚в„ўve been the hardest to love // YouРІР‚в„ўre tryna let me go, yeahРІР‚Сњ РІР‚вЂњ Hardest To Love). HeРІР‚в„ўs in Los Angeles (WeРІР‚в„ўre in Hell, itРІР‚в„ўs disguised as a paradise with flashing lightsРІР‚Сњ РІР‚вЂњ Too Late), but misses Las Vegas (РІР‚СљIn Vegas, I feel so at homeРІР‚Сњ РІР‚вЂњ Alone Again). It also shows that while The Weeknd may be in a relationship, he feels as if heРІР‚в„ўs lost himself (РІР‚СљTake off my disguise // IРІР‚в„ўm living someone elseРІР‚в„ўs life // Suppressing who I was insideРІР‚Сњ РІР‚вЂњ Alone Again). The storyРІР‚в„ўs introduction establishes the two main characters: Abel Tesfaye himself and Bella Hadid, a model who the singer has had an on-and-off relationship with in the past. Source: Ticketmaster Exposition: Alone Again РІР‚вЂњ Hardest To Love

When analyzing the album, I will be referring to the conventional three-act structure that is used in most novels and films. РІР‚СљAfter HoursРІР‚Сњ and РІР‚СљIn Your EyesРІР‚Сњ videos showed The Weeknd transforming into a Michael Myers-esque murderer. After Hours has already had narrative hints with the music videos for singles РІР‚СљHeartlessРІР‚Сњ and РІР‚СљBlinding LightsРІР‚Сњ detailing one night in Las Vegas gone wrong. From the dark tales of parties-gone-wrong in his hometown of Toronto in Trilogy, to the heartache and fame-rising adventure told in Kiss Land, Abel knows his storytelling. The Weeknd is no stranger to telling stories in his music. Plenty of drugs make lyrical cameos, the setting changes, and there are songs that seem to represent significant plot points. The songs follow a romantic relationship that turns into AbelРІР‚в„ўs personal apocalypse. The darkness surrounding the albumРІР‚в„ўs tracks presents listeners with a satisfying yet uneasy (and arguably disturbing) theme of personal destruction attached to what appears to be a loose narrative. See The Cultured NerdРІР‚в„ўs official review of the record here. It was welcomed with critical and fan acclaim thanks to immersive production, immaculate song-writing, and a well-crafted track list. R&B superstar The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) recently released his fourth studio album After Hours. РІР‚СљAfter HoursРІР‚Сњ presents listeners with a satisfying yet uneasy (and arguably disturbing) theme of personal destruction attached to what appears to be a loose narrative.