Dawn FM
by The Weeknd
  • Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: Jan 7, 2022
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 1131 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,029 out of 1131
  2. Mixed: 43 out of 1131
  3. Negative: 59 out of 1131
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  1. DelayedReviews
    Jan 30, 2022
    8
    Original concept that is very consistently pushed through the whole album without feeling forced or distracting from the actual music. Subject matter is very current. It's Abel so we know he can sing, but during the Starboy era, that whole rebrand felt incomplete, but this 80s Abel that started around Heartless. Man is it a sound and clear direction.
  2. MyleeneFRW
    Jan 8, 2022
    8
    Сильный альбом, несколько филлеров, как по мне, особенно в конце.
  3. SuperKrampus
    Aug 21, 2022
    8
    A really good album! I personally prefer it over After Hours! Overall, a fun and unique listen!
  4. kai001
    Feb 17, 2022
    8
    Eu confesso que fiquei com medo antes de The W. lançar esse álbum, mas ele me surpreendeu bastante. Apesar de ter repetido a fórmula do After Hours de ser um disco esteticamente oitentista, ele consegue sair muito superior ao irmão mais velho, porque todas as suas músicas são interessantes. Dawn FM tem quase 52 minutos, mas ele não é cansativo, é muito de se ouvir, minhas músicasEu confesso que fiquei com medo antes de The W. lançar esse álbum, mas ele me surpreendeu bastante. Apesar de ter repetido a fórmula do After Hours de ser um disco esteticamente oitentista, ele consegue sair muito superior ao irmão mais velho, porque todas as suas músicas são interessantes. Dawn FM tem quase 52 minutos, mas ele não é cansativo, é muito de se ouvir, minhas músicas favoritas são: Take My Breath, Sacrifice, Out Of Time, Best Friends e Less Than Zero.… Expand
  5. rgrpedro31
    Jan 7, 2022
    8
    It's not that catchy and apotheotic as the previous albums, but that's certainly not bad. It's just another vibe, more calm and reflexive. If you keep that in mind while listening to it you'll certainly won't be disappointed. It's still Abel doing sonorous pieces of art.
  6. Mobina1
    Jan 7, 2022
    8
    Production 9/10
    Lyrics 7/10
    Album theme 9/10 (could've be 10 if the album cover wasn't this)
  7. amiru1isme
    Jan 7, 2022
    8
    The Weeknd takes his audience to his 'transition to death' themed album with its stellar and mesmerizing vocalizing and production.
  8. Amruk
    Jan 12, 2022
    8
    The album starts with a titular intro track with an ambient and electropop instrumentation reminiscent of C418 Minecraft score and vocorecorded vocals. The next track, "Gasoline", starts on kind of similar note, but later turns into something more The Weeknd- or even Mr.Kitty-esque, especially with this drum machine work and altered vocals. This track is okay, but sounds a littleThe album starts with a titular intro track with an ambient and electropop instrumentation reminiscent of C418 Minecraft score and vocorecorded vocals. The next track, "Gasoline", starts on kind of similar note, but later turns into something more The Weeknd- or even Mr.Kitty-esque, especially with this drum machine work and altered vocals. This track is okay, but sounds a little streached-out even though it is 3:30 minutes long, and it features some cool production touches at the end. "How Do I Make You Love Me?" is less alternative, featuring more "natural" vocals and really dope transitions! At the end we are jumping to GTA V music, not Minecraft, and a cool sugue into "Take My Breath"! A song with a beautiful synth melody taken straight from the 80's! It is sucha cool track with a gorgeous vocal delivery and the album version is even more impress than earlier released version of it, with a really dope intro! "Sacrifise" sounds like a turn backwards after "Take My Breath", it's really similar to its predecessor, however those "my-ah"'s are really cool, but at the great scale of things it is just another the Weeknd song. But still pretty okay.
    "A Tale by Quincy" sounds like a fusion of "Leave the Door Open" and "Dick in a Box" musically to me. Cool that the Weeknd brought sucha legendary producer to his album to just tell a story - cute! "Out of Time" sounds like a little bit stripped-down and jazzier version of "I Feel it Coming" he did with Daft Punk for Starboy. "Here We Go...Again" takes us even earlier than the previous songs, even though it has synths but its instrumentation will be a good suit even in 60's! To be honest this whole song sounds "suiting" for me, everything fits here so well, but it is kinda retread of Silk Sonic. "Best Friends" is groovy but besides that it really feels like an album filler. However it contains a cool transition into the next track - "Is There Something Else?" - which starts with a high-pitched vocals reminiscent of 00's dance scene. Even though it is another song I would call "groovy", I would not reffer to it as an album filler because it has a really interesting texture. It also sugues into the following track - wow! Did not notice it even, so clean and smooth! Maybe this is this way, hence "Starry Eyes" is some kind of retread of the preceeding song.
    "Every Angel is Terrifying" gets us back to the first third of the album, more inspired by the music of the video games and Mr.Kitty. It also sugues well into "Don't Break My Heart" which is more reserved than the rest of the album, more sweet. "I Heard You're Married" is an okay track, another album filler if you will. Lil Wayne's verse is passable at best. In "Less Than Zero" we can finally hear some guitar strings and light-heartness! The final track serves as an outro, and like every other spoken track, this one takes some stylistic inspirations from Latin music.
    In conclusion, the three-act Dawn FM is a really good concept album, well developed, but like some songs could be simply cut or some parts of others. Not every song is like "Take My Breath" and can stay great on every 5 minutes of it.    … Expand
  9. champagnepapi_
    Jan 8, 2022
    8
    Good sound, good instrumentals, appropiate lenght. Very recommended album. The songs indivitually don't stand out as much as the ones from After hours or Starboy, but they work well together and the transitions from one song to another are very smooth. It's a good listen. Nothing mind blowing
  10. Drippyc
    Jan 7, 2022
    8
    A Crazy opening song followed by even better songs, can't wait for his next album to see if he continues the story and transitions of Dawn FM
  11. jju3bu3nh
    Sep 11, 2022
    8
    One of the weeknd's best projects... Absolutely fantastic listen, it feels like a movie
  12. Fabri_canavero
    Jan 10, 2022
    8
    Estas muerto. Aún no se decide si vas a ir al paraíso o al inframundo. Sentado en la oscuridad del purgatorio, hay una emiosra de radio FM. Esta emisora emite música electrónica, con un intrumental muy similar a la música de los 80s, y una voz de locutor que intenta mantenerte calmo a la expectativa de qué ocurrirá al final.
    Esta es la premisa de DOWN FM. Un álbum muy conceptual donde The    Estas muerto. Aún no se decide si vas a ir al paraíso o al inframundo. Sentado en la oscuridad del purgatorio, hay una emiosra de radio FM. Esta emisora emite música electrónica, con un intrumental muy similar a la música de los 80s, y una voz de locutor que intenta mantenerte calmo a la expectativa de qué ocurrirá al final.
    Esta es la premisa de DOWN FM. Un álbum muy conceptual donde The Weeknd propone un contexto ficticio muy original para el álbum.
    La música es muy ELECTRO y la voz (autotuneada) de The Weeknd encaja correctamente con el ritmo, las notas y el tempo.
    Lo más valorable es que, para mantener la premisa hasta el final y que no olvides que estás en el purgatorio escuchando esta emisora, aparecen anuncios (como una pulp fiction llamada "After Life") e incluso hay voces y relatos de personas, como A Tale By Quincy, sobre un hombre que sufrió maltrato de una madre abusiva cuando pequeño y fue luego llevada a un psiquiatrico. Eventos traumáticos luego, hicieron que desarrollara un rechazo hacia las mujeres.
    El track final es esa voz que anuncia tu sentencia final, luego de haber disfrutado la música.

    The Weeknd nos lleva a un mundo aparte con DOWN FM. La música es muy pegadiza y se disfruta mucho.    … Expand
  13. noobzy964
    Jul 13, 2022
    8
    Addicted to this for 3 months, that's how good the album is. Almost every single song in this album is my fav, i could call it a masterpiece for this generation.
  14. SouMateu
    Jan 7, 2022
    8
    Dawn FM delivers exquisite transitions, an amazing and sophisticated production with the keyboard beckings and feelts taking us to the nightclubs of the 80s; what a work! Sounds really fancy.
    Tip: listen by phone.
  15. England8
    Jan 9, 2022
    8
    Was really good, good pacing, great production even if some were similar to other tracks on the album. Lil Wayne was the worst part of the album that should have been cut. He’s not good for his feature and should really stick to rapping. Tyler was an odd feature but for the track he was on it suited him well. Heavenly tone to the album too was nice with the afterlife concept to the album.Was really good, good pacing, great production even if some were similar to other tracks on the album. Lil Wayne was the worst part of the album that should have been cut. He’s not good for his feature and should really stick to rapping. Tyler was an odd feature but for the track he was on it suited him well. Heavenly tone to the album too was nice with the afterlife concept to the album. Great vintage 80’s synths that were executed very well. :)… Expand
  16. ANGELOO22
    Feb 4, 2022
    8
    The Weeknd ou Abel para os mais íntimos, se reinventa nesse último trabalho. Entregando um álbum refrescante, dinâmico, elegante, melancólico e profundo na medida certa.
    De certa forma se diferencia do seu antecessor, After Hours, mas mantém a essência dançante dos anos 80. Além disso, a presença do Jim Carrey como locutor deixa a experiência ainda mais imersiva do que poderíamos    The Weeknd ou Abel para os mais íntimos, se reinventa nesse último trabalho. Entregando um álbum refrescante, dinâmico, elegante, melancólico e profundo na medida certa.
    De certa forma se diferencia do seu antecessor, After Hours, mas mantém a essência dançante dos anos 80. Além disso, a presença do Jim Carrey como locutor deixa a experiência ainda mais imersiva do que poderíamos imaginar.

    Meu top 5 faixas:
    Less Than Zero
    Gasoline
    Sacrifice
    Take My Breath
    Dawn Fm    … Expand
  17. After_peep08
    Mar 4, 2023
    8
    the experience listening to this album is perfect, the weeknd is such a brilliant artist, but gasoline is a terible song
  18. music_fan1
    Mar 22, 2022
    8
    The Weeknd delivered an excellent album to start out 2022. The listening experience was excellent and the songs are bangers as usual. I am starting to get tired of the continual 80's theme, though. I was hoping for more creativity, but overall I enjoyed this album. Lil Wayne needs to retire.
  19. gabsdutra
    Apr 6, 2022
    8
    De primeiro impacto foi surpreendente, muito bem feito, mas a sonoridade com o tempo parece uma só, como se todas as músicas se resumissem a uma, e acaba perdendo a sensação da primeira vez, mas não deixa de ser muito bem elaborado!
  20. jbelzero
    Jul 16, 2022
    8
    Dawn FM is a great comeback album of The Weeknd, songs on the album are really good. Why I gave this album an 8? Album includes "A Tale By Quincy", " Every Angel Is Terrifying" and "Phantom Regret By Jim". This tracks aren't actually a songs. In some of this tracks someone is just telling a story or else. I'm not hating the album, it is really good but If I could make a decision about theDawn FM is a great comeback album of The Weeknd, songs on the album are really good. Why I gave this album an 8? Album includes "A Tale By Quincy", " Every Angel Is Terrifying" and "Phantom Regret By Jim". This tracks aren't actually a songs. In some of this tracks someone is just telling a story or else. I'm not hating the album, it is really good but If I could make a decision about the tracks, I would just delete it from the album. Please don't hate me, it's just my opinion, if you think differently, that's ok.… Expand
  21. Waterzy
    Oct 17, 2022
    8
    Dawn FM brings one of the concepts never done before, of emulating an FM radio, and at the beginning of the album I was convinced that this album would be perfect, with tracks like "gasoline", "sacrifice" and "out of time" simply holding me and making me addicted and wanting to listen to them again, but after a while, right after the track "best friends" the album lost some of its essenceDawn FM brings one of the concepts never done before, of emulating an FM radio, and at the beginning of the album I was convinced that this album would be perfect, with tracks like "gasoline", "sacrifice" and "out of time" simply holding me and making me addicted and wanting to listen to them again, but after a while, right after the track "best friends" the album lost some of its essence and felt unfinished, some tracks after "best friends" are still ok, but no they are amazing just like the initials, this was my 4th favorite album of the year, but it left me a little disappointed in the end… Expand
  22. Gosh_reiners938
    Nov 25, 2022
    8
    This is a great album but not as good as after hours in my opinion still I would check out
  23. frozenpinky
    Jan 7, 2022
    7
    Remember the 1982 movie, Creepshow? Remember all the “fun, scary ‘80s synth music”? Well this is that, but done by The Weeknd.
  24. Menios
    Jan 7, 2022
    7
    This album is very good and pleasing to listen to. I love the concept and it is sonically next level. Not better than After Hours in my opinion.
  25. MusicGuyMack
    Feb 2, 2022
    7
    Though never anything less than impressive from a purely technical standpoint thanks to slick production and impeccable vocal performances, "Dawn FM" unfortunately only occasionally succeeds at building upon rather than merely imitating the '80s funk and new wave sounds that inspired it and can't help feeling at least a little soulless because of it, rendering the album an overallThough never anything less than impressive from a purely technical standpoint thanks to slick production and impeccable vocal performances, "Dawn FM" unfortunately only occasionally succeeds at building upon rather than merely imitating the '80s funk and new wave sounds that inspired it and can't help feeling at least a little soulless because of it, rendering the album an overall enjoyable but ultimately inessential listening experience.

    Choice Cuts: "Take My Breath," "Sacrifice," "Out of Time"    … Expand
  26. PEDROMFR
    Jan 14, 2022
    7
    It's a good album with an exclusive narrative, but it's not memorable. The Weeknd is not an album artist, but he did some efforts on this one, unfortunately, it wasn't the best, yet.
    Also, the single are not as strong as the singles of the last album.
  27. swiftexileee
    Jan 25, 2022
    7
    Creative album. I love the concept of the radio thing. The album is well-produced but the songs sounded the same which made me lose a bit in the end. This is not my favorite The Weeknd album.
  28. veljko_
    Jan 9, 2022
    7
    The Weeknd owns the 80s sound, good concept, dissapointing features and a few filler songs tho.

    best tracks: Take My Breath and Less Than Zero
    worst track: I Heard You're Married ft. Lil Wayne

    rating: 7.4
  29. wesleymiguel
    Jan 7, 2022
    7
    Um álbum sólido e com músicas pop oitentistas que combinam muito bem com a voz do Abel, a ideia da rádio é criativa e acredito que a voz do Jim Carrey fez a experiência ser ainda mais interessante. Não acho que o álbum tenha conseguido superar o anterior (After Hours), ele não trás muita inovação se comparado com aquilo que já nos foi apresentado nos trabalhos anteriores do Abel também.Um álbum sólido e com músicas pop oitentistas que combinam muito bem com a voz do Abel, a ideia da rádio é criativa e acredito que a voz do Jim Carrey fez a experiência ser ainda mais interessante. Não acho que o álbum tenha conseguido superar o anterior (After Hours), ele não trás muita inovação se comparado com aquilo que já nos foi apresentado nos trabalhos anteriores do Abel também. Não fiquei muito animado com as participações , não acho que Lil Wayne acrescentou muito coisa no universo de Dawn FM e não acho que ele tenha sido a melhor escolha pra cantar com Abel, tendo em vista de que ele não canta muito bem. Pontos altos do álbum pra mim: Gasoline, Sacrifice (parece um thriller pt.2), best friends/is there someone else?. Pontos baixos: I heard you're married; embora tenha gostado da voz do The Weeknd nessa, não curti muito a letra e a participação do Lil Wayne… Expand
  30. devinnoonan
    Jan 8, 2022
    7
    First time I listened to this album I didn’t know what to think, I was very mixed and a lot of the songs didn’t land for me. After listening to the album another 5 to 6 times I can gladly say it has grown on me a lot. I don’t think it’s Abel's best work and it doesn't reach the heights of after hours but I can confidently say it’s a worth while experience and it deserves the hype and loveFirst time I listened to this album I didn’t know what to think, I was very mixed and a lot of the songs didn’t land for me. After listening to the album another 5 to 6 times I can gladly say it has grown on me a lot. I don’t think it’s Abel's best work and it doesn't reach the heights of after hours but I can confidently say it’s a worth while experience and it deserves the hype and love it’s deserving. 7/10… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best Album of 2022
8
#8 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Resident Advisor
    Jan 24, 2022
    80
    It's invigorating, vulnerable and, at times, uncomfortably raw.
    Read full review
  2. The Observer (UK)
    Jan 18, 2022
    80
    Musically, Dawn FM mirrors Tesfaye’s disquiet, its buffed electronic sheen ruptured by moments of discord, as when ballad Starry Eyes teeters on the brink of implosion. It’s a state that Tesfaye seems to relish, with often stunning results.
    Read full review
  3. HipHopDX
    Jan 14, 2022
    76
    The Canadian megastar avoids the pitfalls of cheap, nostalgia bait by earnestly repurposing and breathing life into deep cuts from a bygone era.
    Read full review
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