Dawn FM
by The Weeknd

I came in to this album expecting a mediocre experience, but I was still disappointed. It was extremely hard to get through. Not because it sounded bad, but because it was so so boring and uninspiring to listen to.
The production on this thing was amazing, pretty much the whole way through, despite from some questionable vocal effects, like on Gasoline (which for sure was the low point of the album). However, there’s very long between the highs on the album, especially on the second part of the album, which was such a drag and just one long snooze fest.
The lyrics on this thing were likewise very mediocre, and at times pretty bad.
I did not understand the point of the features. Both Tyler and Lil Wayne sounded super out of place in on their features, and Liz Wayne’s was terrible.
I kinda enjoyed the whole radio theme, besides on Every Angel is Terrifying (what was he thinking with that song??) and I think that Jim Carrey was a great choice of narrator, although I was somewhat skeptical when I first heard he was going to be on this thing.

From LedZep TOP 100 COMMENTER 01/07/2022 16:18 | #278803 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

The cover is... ugh. The music is Abel giving the radio more of the same, which is to say the B sides from After Hours. It's not bad, but apart from a few highlights (which don't reach the same highs as the best stuff from After Hours), it's not that great. A decent retro synthpop/synthwave record, worth a listen. The interludes discussing commercialism were funny because this is a pretty obvious try to bank on the success of After Hours, which isn't a bad thing in and of itself, but it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. The interludes were bad in the first place, this just makes them less bearable. Best songs: Take My Breath (this extended version is so much better than the single), Less Than Zero, Out of Time, I Heard You're Married.

“Dawn FM” really goes full in on the synthwave sound. Abel abandons the slow drifting electronics of “After hours” for more vibrant, energetic synths. This newfound energy gives his voice a welcome boost. The vigor of the tracks helps cover up odd moments like the strange English accent that appears. The purgatory concept is limited by songwriting crutches. Two thirds of the album can be summarized with our love is destructive but powerful and we have really great sex. This is significantly less interesting than the explorations of limbo given in Jim Carrey’s radio commercials. ““Dawn FM” has a more infectious sound that would have greatly benefited from a tighter concept.

aggressively mediocre. 80s nostalgia on steroids.

A good album, a lot of good songs but with not much high lights. Also, I didn't get the radio concept.

High lights:
Out Of Time 8/10
Is There Someone Else? 8/10
I Heard You're Married 8/10
Less Than Zero 8/10