Goodbye, The Weeknd, and hello, Abel Tesfaye. On January 31st, 2025, The Weeknd released his final album under his iconic stage name. In 2023, Abel hinted that he wanted to move past this persona and officially go by his birth name, but didn’t make it official until this year. In an article by iHeart, Abel stated that he no longer desired to be called The Weeknd. He elaborated on the pressures of maintaining the persona and said he had to end it because if he didn’t, then he never would. 

To say goodbye to his alias Abel released his final album, Hurry Up Tomorrow. The album has 22 songs and features multiple artists such as Playboi Carti, Lana Del Ray, and Future. The album is a perfect mix for old and new fans. Each song has at least a similar sound to all his previous albums to satisfy his fans but also a glimpse into what’s next to come. When the album first came I was beyond excited having a sense of anticipation from his singles “Timeless” with Playboi Carti and “Sao Paulo” with Anitta. 

The opening track “Wake Me Up” featured Justice. The beginning of the song is slow while gradually making the beat louder making me hold my breath until the beat drops. When I first heard the beat it made me feel deja vu like I had heard it before but in a different way. It wasn’t until I went online to find out the song samples the classic song “Thriller” by Michael Jackson, who has been a major influence on Abel’s musical career. 

The transitions between songs are blended so well that you can never tell when one song ends and another begins. Each song is heavily layered with different beats and instrumentals but blended seamlessly. His vocals are beautiful in every song, especially in “The Abyss” with Lana Del Rey, someone who is a frequent collaborator with him. 

As I listened to the album more, I started to understand its story’s rawness. The album is the last installment of his After Hours trilogy. It tells a bittersweet story of transformation, redemption, and the consequences of fame. He tells his struggles with fame and who he wants to be when he leaves the world and I’m not the only one who thinks that. Kandace Taylor (11th) has stated that she loved the album.  “I love ‘Wake Me Up’ and ‘Cry For Me’. Those two songs are an eargasm for me,” Taylor said. “I rate the album a 10/10.”

By the end of the album, I felt a sense of happiness and curiosity. Happiness comes from knowing that Abel has found peace within himself, and this gives the listeners closure to The Weeknd’s persona. My curiosity comes from wanting to know what’s next for him and whether he will ever release music again after finishing his tour and releasing his movie about the album. I find the album relatable on every level and have to pick a top 3 I would say “Cry For Me”, “I Can’t Wait To Get There”, and “Wake Me Up”.

Hurry Up Tomorrow is a powerful conclusion to The Weeknd’s trilogy, blending introspection, nostalgia, and sonic innovation. As listeners listen to the last track “Hurry Up Tomorrow” they are immediately brought back to the very first mixtape House of Balloons causing a full circle moment for everyone. Overall, Hurry Up Tomorrow is a beautiful final bow as The Weeknd and I can’t wait to see what Abel Tesfaye has in store for this next chapter.