After Hours EXPLAINED - A Cinematic Journey Into The Weeknd's Mind

Abel is single handedly carrying the music industry

if you guys did the same thing with MDM, Starboy, BBTM kissland and trilogy i would 100% watch.

I like that he doesn't do that many interviews, he let's the music do the talking. He's definitely one of the most talented music artists of our time.

You’ve got to do the 3 bonus tracks... “Nothing Compares”, “I Miss You” and “Final Lullaby”

I honestly wouldn't have minded if this video/podcast was longer . I would've laid here and tune in .

I feel like this album symbolises the death of his persona, the weeknd...its the most pure & honest he’s ever made, and each song questions his choices of overindulgence, possiveness and obsession that completely destroyed abel. until i bleed out is the inception-style question of “will i continue as the weeknd and allow this character to ruin me, or be free as abel?” i believe he chooses to be abel, based on escape from la and faith. but those are only in the middle, the peak of his internal conflict. after listening to this album millions of times, i get more and more sure that this is the end of this character.

I didn't really realize how deep this Album was until I saw this 😭

I always wonder if singers exes ever listen to their music knowing they're referring to them

I feel like Abel is telling us, how he dealt with his breakups and how he felt and all the drug trips and regrets he’s had and those regrets include moving to LA in the first place. I think he made this song while probably already in therapy and this album is his closure. So for all the people that say like “omg he’s gonna OD in real life” I Think he’s more recollecting than crying out for help And on instagram he’s thanking his fans for keeping the album popular which I think is his secret way of telling people thank you for supporting me in more ways than you know

i just want to know why u dont have more recognition ... you explained this so perfectly, really made me cry.

Who else is here from The Weeknd's instagram story?

YO ABEL SHOUTED U OUT ON HIS INSTAGRAM

The lyrics "they think your kindness is so weak" is from Escape from LA, not Snowchild. Anyways, not a reference towards Selena, but the hook from Future's, Comin Out Strong, which he's also featured in. "They take my kindness for weakness, still coming out strong." Also, "Cali was the mission," in this song is him leaving Cali for good because he's no longer fixated on LA fame. At the end of Faith, the lyrics, "I ended up in the back of flashing car," during an interview with Variety said is about the darkest time in his life when he punched a cop and was arrested. 'I got arrested in Vegas. It was a real rock-star era, which I'm not really proud of. You hear sirens at the end the song - that's me in the back of the cop car, that moment" - Abel XO'TWOD

If you think about it, rolling stone was like his warning I guess to his fans, that he was going to change and he knew it. “I’ll be different” “I think I’ll be different” “I hope I’m not different” “and I hope you’ll still listen” honestly breaks my heart so much.

This man hasn’t made one bad song

Love how Abel actually listens to his fans and their interpretations of his work, I'm glad that he's seen this. Keep up the good work.

This album really tells the story of Bella X Abel X Selena drama at the same time as his relationship with fame. The metaphors he uses can apply to both in equal measure. I'm actually impressed that he's not disrespectful to his lovers; there's a lot of emotional maturity here. Abel insinuates understanding that this is a cycle of hurt and taking advantage of others. Selena hurt him, but then he did the same thing to Bella, and he acknowledges that he's no better. There's a lot of blame and self-loathing in this album, he really doesn't blame his lovers, only himself. The same can be applied to his relationship to fame - he knew it was a double-edged sword, but he still let himself get caught up in the partying, drugs, and sex. Side note: Abel cheated on Bella A LOT, plus she warned him that Selena was using him as a rebound. But she still takes him back every time, and he hates himself even more because he feels he doesn't deserve forgiveness. "Scared to Live" is kinda his ode to Bella, he doesn't want her to leave him, but he knows she deserves better. I think it's the the most honest, emotionally raw song on the album.

I love the buzzfeed unsolved style black screen with what their saying is being typed out.

At this point I want to hug Abel

I adore this kind of cinematic albums and artists because it is about art.