Abel Tesfaye, more commonly known as The Weeknd, released “Dancing In The Flames,” the lead single to his upcoming sixth studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow. The track is a grand display of his curated artistry, as well as his Aquarian tendency towards innovation, with the music video shot entirely on the new iPhone 16 Pro. Amid several exciting announcements and performances, the single stands on its own, ready to introduce the world to a new vision of Tesfaye’s career.
Hurry Up Tomorrow will be the third chapter of the powerhouse’s recent trilogy, and potentially the last project released under the alias, “The Weeknd.” The journey began with the dark and brooding After Hours, cruised into the after-life with Dawn FM, now finally reaching what fans speculate as a nebulous “other side.” “Dancing In The Flames” not only continues where Dawn FM left off but revives the brighter sound profile that The Weeknd has added to his repertoire in recent years.
The single beams with synths, blending influences of 80s pop and 2000s Euro-trance to create a euphoric melody and soundscape. This combination comes as no surprise, as the track was co-produced by The Weeknd, Max Martin, and Oscar Holter; the same dream team of songwriters that created the record-breaking hit, “Blinding Lights.” Through a slightly robotic filter, The Weeknd tells a story of dangerous love, likening it to an open road cruise that could quickly end in a blazing fire. The lyrics weave in nods at the trilogy’s various motifs, such as mentions of “the radio,” and the term “odyssey.” In his signature tone, he sings:
I can’t wait to see your face
Crash when we’re switchin’ lanes
My love’s beyond the pain
But if I miss the brake
We’re dancin’ in the flames
It’s indescribable
The bridge offers an oasis-like intermission from the bright instrumental, where deep, Dawn FM-like synths pay a visit, adding a brief sensation of warmth to the track.
Directed by Anton Tammi and Erik Henrikkson, “Dancing In The Flames”’s accompanying music video enhances the imagery of the lyrics. In 4K, 120fps Dolby Vision paired with four studio-quality microphones, the iPhone 16 Pro captured The Weeknd driving into the fog, crashing, tumbling, and walking through the rain, beautifully displaying the tumultuous emotions of the track. Shooting the music video on such a relatively accessible device speaks to The Weeknd’s adoption of new technology in both music and visual projects.
But, as concert lovers know, a stunning music video can only do so much. Attendees of Tesfaye’s sold-out São Paulo show on September 7th experienced the first live performance of “Dancing In The Flames” before its official release, as well as “Timeless” featuring Playboi Carti, and the unreleased “São Paulo” featuring Anitta. In the spirit of giving back, 10% of net proceeds from the merchandise sales were donated to the Brazilian Soul Fund of Brazil Foundation, supporting communities hurt by natural disasters and economic hardships. The Weeknd’s mesmerizing stage presence and character make his shows unforgettable, leaving audiences with the feeling that “you just had to be there.”
In addition to the momentous release of “Dancing In The Flames,” The Weeknd has recently re-topped the Spotify charts as the artist with the highest monthly listeners, exceeding 106 million monthly listeners. He achieved this feat only a year and a half after being crowned the first artist to reach 100 million monthly listeners on Spotify, showing the connecting power of his creativity.
As “Dancing In The Flames” introduces the existential, introspective themes of Hurry Up Tomorrow, there is much to look forward to in the next era of The Weeknd’s distinguished career. For those eager for potential hints, visiting “The Weeknd: Nightmare Trilogy” at Universal Studios Hollywood could be the perfect option, as it promises not only thrills and scares but also surprises.
Get a glimpse of chapter three of the trilogy by streaming “Dancing In The Flames” on Spotify and Apple Music.
Pre-order a vinyl or CD of Hurry Up Tomorrow now on The Weeknd’s website.
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