MusicThe Weeknd should end after next album; understandMusician says he no longer wants to live as an alter ego and is considering ending the project after ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’, which hits platforms on January 24thBy Editorial Staff

Article published on January 10, 2025 in Rolling Stone. To read the original in English, click here.

The Weeknddoes not usually disappear for long periods of time. No more than two years separate almost every album he’s released since 2011. The only exception is the nearly four-year gap between Starboy (2016) and After Hours (2020) — still, the gap was filled by the EP My Dear Melancholy (2018).

The most recent work, Dawn FMarrived in January 2022. Scheduled for release on January 24, 2025, the next album, Hurry Up Tomorrowwill be the most spaced out yet.

But when Abel Tesfaye — the musician’s real name — continuing his trajectory after the new album may not be like The Weeknd.

Final chapter

“Everything needs to feel like a challenge. And for me now, the Weekndwhatever it was, it was dominated”, the artist told Variety.

“No one is going to do the Weeknd better than me, and I’m not going to do better than it is now. I think I overcame all the challenges as this persona.”

Hurry Up Tomorrow marks the end of the trilogy of albums that includes After Hours and Dawn FM. Furthermore, it is also the final chapter of “my existence as the Weeknd”, said the musician.

It’s a mental space I need to get into that I simply no longer have the desire to. You have a persona, but then you have the competition of all that. It becomes a rat race: more accolades, more success, more shows, more albums, more awards. It’s never over until you’re done with it.”

Right time to leave

This perception became clearer for Tesfaye as he played chart-topping singles — “Blinding Lights”, “The Hills” and “Save Your Tears” among them — on their recent tour.

It was the final show, a sold out night in California. He appeared to the crowd, but when he opened his mouth to begin introducing himself, he realized his voice didn’t. “I was defeated with everyone watching,” he said. The show was interrupted and rescheduled.

Part of me was thinking, ‘You lost your voice because it’s over; You said what you had to say. Don’t stay at the party too long — you can end it now and live a happy life. ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ [apresse-se amanhã]? We are here now. When is the right time to leave, if not at your peak? Once you understand too much of who I am, then it’s time to change.”

Hurry Up Tomorrow will be released on January 24th. The album will be accompanied by a feature film starring Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan premiering on May 16th.