Canadian singer The Weeknd has released a new version of his song Out of Time featuring Japanese artist Tomoko Aran as he arrives in Madrid to begin three consecutive concerts at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
The special track revisits one of the most recognizable songs from his 2022 album Dawn FM. The new collaboration forms part of a four-album collection created specifically for his Asian fanbase ahead of upcoming tour dates in Japan.
The release deepens a musical connection that has existed since the original song was composed. Out of Time incorporated elements from Midnight Pretenders, a track released by Aran in 1983 on her album Fuyü-Kükan.
Japanese city pop connection
When Dawn FM was released in 2022, Out of Time gained attention for its production inspired by 1980s Japanese city pop. City pop is a style of Japanese pop and synth music that gained international popularity for its retro urban sound.
The production brought the melody of Midnight Pretenders into the performer's signature mix of R&B and pop, blending nostalgia, romanticism, and sophisticated arrangements. The influence was so central that Aran and Tetsurō Oda, who composed Midnight Pretenders, were both credited as co-writers on Out of Time.
The Weeknd said the project was designed specifically for his Asian fans and that the four albums represent the evolution of his musical universe over the last seven years. The new version takes the existing musical bond between the two artists one step further.
Special collection for Asian audience
The four-album collection features new cover artwork developed in collaboration with Japanese illustrator and designer Yoshitaka Amano. Amano worked with the singer to translate the visual identity of the project onto the new album covers.
The project arrives as The Weeknd prepares to take his After Hours Til Dawn tour to Asia following the completion of its European leg. Japan will be among the stops during the upcoming Asian phase of the tour.
Three-night concert series in Madrid
The news comes as the Canadian singer landed in Madrid on Friday, August 28, to open a series of three consecutive shows at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium. The performances take place on August 28, 29, and 30.
Friday's show was scheduled to begin at 20:45 hours, with American rapper Playboi Carti appearing as the opening guest artist for the European leg of the tour. The Weeknd last performed in Madrid in 2023.
The three Madrid dates are framed as major summer music events for the city. The concert setlist spans multiple stages of the singer's career, highlighting tracks from After Hours, Dawn FM, and Hurry Up Tomorrow, alongside major hits including Blinding Lights, Starboy, and Save Your Tears, accompanied by a large-scale visual production.
