The Weeknd released his much anticipated single “Take My Breath”, the first from his forthcoming album as announced in his GQ global cover story this week. The sonically-charged track exemplifies The Weeknd’s ability to consistently evolve his sound and his knack for story-telling through his music. The release is accompanied by a mesmerizing visual directed by Cliqua.
The Weeknd teased new material with an array of tweets, culminating in an austere trailer he shared this past Sunday. By Monday morning, GQ debuted the first-ever global issue in 90 years with The Weeknd as the sole cover star on all editions. In the accompanying interview with GQ, The Weeknd hinted at what listeners could anticipate with the upcoming record. On the same day, The Weeknd revealed a snippet of “Take My Breath”, along with the release date, in an Olympics promo teaser during NBC’s Olympics Prime Time Show telecast starring Team U.S.A’s women’s track and field team.
“Take My Breath” marks The Weeknd’s latest material since the release of his critically-acclaimed album After Hours released in March of 2020. After Hours is The Weeknd’s fourth #1 album in the United States and is certified double platinum by the RIAA with over 15.7 billion streams. In addition to the United States, After Hours topped the charts in 20 additional nations, including Canada and the United Kingdom.
“It’ll be the best project he’s ever put out.” – Mark Anthony Green on The Weeknd’s new music in the September 2021 issue of GQ
“‘It became nearly impossible to find something else to listen to. Everything else sounded soft. Or didn’t groove enough. Or felt too happy. Or too sad. It was clear to me that this isn’t just the album The Weeknd has always wanted to make; it’s the album we’ve always wanted him to make.” – Mark Anthony Green in GQ
“The music hit the studio like a Mack truck. The new project is packed with party records. Like real-deal, illuminated-white-tiles-on-the-floor party records. Quincy Jones meets Giorgio Moroder meets the best-night-of-your-fucking-life party records. Not anachronistic disco stuff. (Not “cosplay,” as Abel put it.) That sort of retro thing is having a moment right now in pop music, but these records are new. Sweaty. Hard. Drenched-suit, grinding-on-the-girl/boy-of-your-dreams party records.” – Mark Anthony Green in GQ
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