‘After Hours’ is the fourth studio album by Canadian singer The Weeknd. It was released on March 20, 2020, by XO and Republic Records and consists of fourteen tracks. Prior to the album’s release, four singles were released entitled “Heartless”, “Save Your Tears”, “In Your Eyes”, and “Blinding Lights”. Upon release, the album peaked at number one on both the U.S. Billboard 200 and U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums Chart. ‘After Hours’ is available on all major music streaming platforms.
‘After Hours’ begins with the opening track “Alone Again”. On “Alone Again”, The Weeknd sings about not fully being himself and hiding who he truly is. “Taking off my disguise/ I’m living somebody else’s life/ suppressing who I was inside.” The Weeknd is tired of living his life as a lie. He doesn’t want to hide his true self from people anymore. Also, on the track, The Weekend sings about not wanting to be by himself. “Call Me up and I’ll send for you/take me down to your altitude/I don’t want to be alone again/I don’t want to be alone again.”
The Canadian voices “Hardest to Love” which is the fourth track on the album. In this song, The Weeknd discusses a relationship that has run its course. “And what we had is dead inside, yeah/ You’re actin’ like it’s still alive, ayy/And you still wanna make it right, yeah: I know.” Though his lover is trying her hardest to be with him, the love on both ends is just not there. The two of them are just not compatible. “Blinding Lights” is the second single on ‘After Hours’ and follows the album’s lead single “Heartless” which was released two days prior on November 27, 2019. The track finds the 30-year-old in awe over his lover. He is smittened by her and cannot function without her. “I’ve been tryna call/I’ve been on my own for long enough/ Maybe you can show me how to love, maybe.” The Canadian singer cannot be without his lover for too long because his girlfriend’s love is like a drug and he is addicted to it. “I’m going through withdrawals/ You don’t even have to do too much/You can turn me on with just a touch, baby.” His lover does not have to do a lot to make him fall for her. Her presence and touch is enough for him.
“Save Your Tears” is the eleventh song on the album and finds The Weeknd talking to a lover from the past. Throughout the song, he addresse his ex. “I saw you dancing in a crowded room/ You look so happy when I’m not with you/But then you saw me, caught you by surprise/A single teardrop falling from your eye.” Whenever The Weeknd sees his ex out and about, she looks happy but when she lays her eyes on him, she’s suddenly emotional. He also sings these lines as if to stay that the emotion and tears for him are not genuine. However, his attitude changes towards the end of the song as he begs for his ex to take him back, although he realizes that he does not deserve her. “Girl, take me back ’cause I wanna stay/ Save your tears for another/ I realize that I’m much too late/ And you deserve someone better.”
‘After Hours’ ends with “Until I Bleed Out”. The track describes the end of his journey with the record’s ending signifying that he is emotionally drained and tired of thinking about his past relationship. “I wanna cut you outta my dreams/’Til I’m bleeding out/’Til I’mbleeding. I wanna cut you outta my mind/’Til I’m bleeding out/’Til I’m bleeding.” The Weeknd has given every last ounce of effort and emotion he can to his old lover and he just doesn’t have anymore to give.
‘After Hours’ is a quaint album that has it’s high and low points. The effort put towards a few songs could have been better but overall the album was moderately good. ‘After Hours’ receives 7 stars out of 10 stars.