The Weeknd delves into a polychromatic hyper-reality in his latest rollicking single ‘Blinding Lights’. In recent years, the Canadian singer-songwriter of Ethiopian origin has not shied away from the dramatics, his sound exploring a range of themes, emotions and stylistic forms.

The Weekend has been one of the few mainstream artists focusing on reviving and promoting the electronic R&B genre, but this song goes above and beyond in terms of blending genres. The touches of electric guitar denote a solid rock influence whereas the upbeat chorus solidifies a retro-based disco theme. The Weeknd demonstrates his flair for the dramatics by dashing down the deserted streets in his deluxe vehicle while lighting up his cigarette and waxing poetic about the pitfalls of heartbreak. 

Throughout his career, The Weeknd has garnered acclaim for his sensual, unique voice as well as his willingness to embrace controversial subjects in his songs. He draws from his personal experiences yet manages to construe them as universal forms of art, building a genuine connection with his devoted community of fans. ‘Blinding Lights’ details the emotional turbulence he experiences in the wake of the dissolution of a former relationship but his lyrics contain just enough ambiguity to intrigue the listeners. The visual aesthetic and narrative of the music video overtly invoke the mood of iconic films, such as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, The Joker, Casino, and Sin City, his actions reflecting the vice-infested flavor of Las Vegas as a city. 

The single is set to be featured in The Weeknd’s upcoming fourth studio album, which has already begun receiving coverage across numerous musical platforms and streaming websites. He enlisted the talent of music producer extraordinaire Max Martin for the composition of this single, perhaps clueing his fans into the massive scope of his impending album. So far the single has been racking up the views across Youtube and Spotify and has achieved high rankings within the Billboard singles chart. His fans will be hoping that the lead single is a reflection of what is to be expected from the fourth album, with The Weeknd doubling down on his sound while experimenting with video production styles. 

 Singer-songwriter    R&B  

Author: Shaoni Das

Shaoni Das is a writer/editor currently based in Edmonton, Canada. She remains eager to inspect how the changing culture of music impacts upon the greater world.