With his ability to blend dark, dramatic music and cinematic visuals, The Weeknd established himself as a pioneer of the dark R&B aesthetic. A major part of House of Balloons’ resonance was...

A new interview with ‘TMRW’ finds The Weeknd reflecting on his influences, his rise to stardom, and how this unprecedented year inspired him.

The Weeknd’s ability to embody discomfort, emotional contradictions, is a deeply pop trait not unlike Lorde, Lana Del Rey, or reputation/folklore-era Taylor Swift. He makes music that doesn’t just soundtrack parties, but narrates the depravity in the room and the participants’ internal conflict.

The Weeknd, or Abel Tesfaye, went from uploading songs anonymously on YouTube to breaking Spotify records with 100 million monthly listeners.

Drug references run rampant in The Weeknd’s music, perhaps most noticeably in the song “Can’t Feel My Face”. The song, rather than referring to being in a happy relationship, the “she” Tesfaye...