Destination Jam: Top 5 tracks by The Weeknd that will make you groove to his catchy tunes
After a single tweet posted by The Weeknd during the early hours of July 19, it looks like the 'After Hours' superstar is trending again. "You already know next time gonna be bigger... what songs off After Hours did you guys wanna hear live?" the contemporary R&B singer wrote, referring to his Platinum-certified fourth album. If you haven't heard of Abel Tesfaye's music before, you are certainly missing out. As fans ourselves, we have selected our top five favorite songs by The Weeknd on today's Destination Jam. Check out our playlist below.
'Blinding Lights'
Fans of The Weeknd will attest to the fact that his music is a glorious mix of '80s pop, cyberpunk-inspired tones and smooth R&B crooning. With 'After Hours', he crafted his style into a fine art. In the international smash 'Blinding Lights', we are treated to a cranked-up bopper and it is undeniably catchy. The track peaked at No. 1 in 33 countries, including the United States and The Weeknd's native, Canada. It became his fifth No.1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian Hot 100 for four and seven weeks, respectively.
'In Your Eyes'
Another track off his latest album, 'In Your Eyes' has a remix version featuring Doja Cat and a 10-minute extended cut of its official music video. The track sees the singer addressing his romantic partner and the pain reflected in her eyes. Over a synth-pop tune with beautifully emotive sax, The Weeknd sings lyrics like, "You always try to hide the pain. You always know just what to say" and "I tried to find love. In someone else too many times" and "But I hope you know I mean it. When I tell you you're the one that was on my mind."
'I Feel It Coming' ft. Daft Punk
Before its release, a joined effort between this song's collaborators was almost inevitable. The Weeknd and featured group Daft Punk have strikingly similar resonances in their music. Other than its sonic charm, 'I Feel It Coming' gets its place on our list for being buttery smooth in mixing the two groups and its powerful synth rendition of R&B.
'Can't Feel My Face'
One of The Weeknd's funkiest tracks, 'Can't Feel My Face', takes everything you love about Michael Jackson's music and places it on the modern stage. In this track, Tesfaye's vocals bear an amazing similarity to the late "King of pop" himself, and the instrumentation is just as funky. The song is an injection of disco, funk, pop and R&B all in one and you will be infectiously singing its lyrics out loud if this is your first time hearing it.
'Pray For Me' featuring Kendrick Lamar
A certain shade of darkness seems to underline The Weeknd's music and videos. It's not edgy or overdramatic but fuses a sense of happiness beyond pain or wallowing self-pity into its themes. Tesfaye has found his own freedom in his music and hints of things personal for the singer are subtle in each track. In 'Pray For Me', featuring Kendrick Lamar, however, it appears as if The Weeknd is more candid and upfront with his listeners. "Tell me who's gon' save me from myself. When this life is all I know. Tell me who's gon' save me from this hell. Without you, I'm all alone," sings Tesfaye before revealing the darker chorus, "Who gon' pray for me? Take my pain for me? Save my soul for me? 'Cause I'm alone, you see. If I'm gon' die for you. If I'm gon' kill for you. Then I spilled this blood for you, hey."
Destination Jam is a daily list of songs that will keep you entertained and grooving up top in lieu of feeling drained and losing the plot. Look out for a fresh selection of great tunes from MEAWW to refresh your mood every day.