REVIEW: Does “After Hours” Hold Up?

by Hunter McLaughlin

This has been a wild year for The Weeknd between a Super Bowl halftime show and a snub by the most important awards show in the music world. The question some fans are asking is whether or not The Weeknd’s last big album holds up after a year in a pandemic world.

It has been a year since R&B singer The Weeknd dropped his album “After hours.” The album has hit the music industry’s platinum standard four times and spent four weeks on the Billboard 200. 

The first song on the album is “Alone Again.” It was a perfect start to the album, because it gave you a little preview of what to expect from the rest of the tracks. 

“Alone Again” also shows off Abel’s amazing vocals. You can also hear masterful vocals in the songs “Too Late,” “Hardest To Love,” and” Scared To Live.” 

The track “Snowchild” documents his life before fame, after he blew up, and his life right now.

“Escape From LA” is a total “late night drive” vibe, and it is actually one of my top 5 favorites on the album.  Metro Boomin’s production on “Heartless” was absolutely incredible. This song also gives us another taste of Abel’s “toxic” side. 

One of my favorite songs on the album is “Faith.” The outro is amazing, but the best part of it is it’s smooth transition to my number one favorite song on this album, ”Blinding Lights.” 

After the perfectly executed transition, “Blinding Lights” gives listeners an 80s vibe.

My fourth favorite song is “In Your Eyes.” This song also has an 80’s type of synthwave on it.

The song “Save Your Tears” is my fifth favorite track. This song also shows off Abel’s toxic side.  The “Repeat After Me” interlude is probably one of my favorite interludes ever.  

Then we get into the album’s namesake song, “After Hours.” The song was released one month before the album.  I loved the suspenseful sound on this song.  

Last, but not least, is the final song “Until I Bleed Out,” which is a perfect way to end this incredible album.

I think it’s safe to say that “After Hours” gets better each time you listen to it. 

I rate this album a 10/10. 

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