The Weeknd ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ [Album Review]

The Weeknd’s latest album, seemingly a farewell, is an interesting body of work, through the ears of a listener who taps in and out on most of The Weeknd’s catalog. Often reminded of songs when heard randomly, diving into ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ without the crowd of noise, screaming out how great the music is, offers a great listening experience, when seeing the early begins from ‘House of Balloons’ (repackaged as Trilogy) to the latest offering.

Immediately drawn in with the album’s opening “Wake Me Up” which contains an interpolation of “Thriller” performed by Michael Jackson and a sample of “Main Title” (From The Motion Picture Scarface) performed by Giorgio Moroder. The overall theme and tone of the album gave a feeling of a score. With a 22-track album, that has a runtime of about the length of a movie, coming in about 90 minutes, the story being told is one of intrigue. Digested in parts, the first 11 songs flowed so well that pausing and returning left the ending 11 songs to feel like a second act or the second disc of a double album. Upon further research, finding out that a musical psychological  thriller film is expected to release May 2025, is icing on the cake with listening to the album.

Hurry Up Tomorrow showcases The Weeknd’s versatility, seamlessly a reminder of the somewhat nostalgic memories of the experience of hearing House of Balloons for the first time, which extended into Thursday and Echoes of Silence. Lost to the commercialization and the shift in sounds and expectations. This album returns The Weeknd to that place and makes revisiting the journey that brought us here more worthwhile. Having missed a lot of the complete body of works, Hurry Up Tomorrow revitalizes the feeling of wanting to experience the story in full, and filling in the missing pieces of albums in between the Trilogy and this body of work. 

Resonating with the feeling of reaching an end or slipping away, or leaving a moment that exceeded expectation and letting it—as a work of art, be, without repainting, or making subtle changes or added anything more. The Weeknd delivers on his final act. The closing track seamlessly transitions into the opening seconds of “High for This,” the first track from House of Balloons, closing this chapter but making a brilliant ending credit that leaves you wanting to go back and replay the first film—album, in this case.

Coco Jones "Why I Didn't Tell You"

Coco Jones has released "Why I Didn't Tell You," the deluxe version, following its initial drop which came November 4, 2022. The deluxe version adds four new tracks to the EP and features the singles “Caliber,” “ICU,” and the Babyface collaboration, “Simple.”

This project is a testament to the continued relevance and vitality of the R&B genre. While it has been trendy to say R&B isn’t the same, there are artist who come along and sometimes slip under the radar but are able to captivate and showcase great R&B. Jones's "Why I Didn't Tell You" is a must-listen for fans of R&B and is highly recommended for anyone looking for a powerful and emotive listening experience.

"ICU," stands out for its raw and vulnerable lyrics that explore the pain of unrequited love. The song's production is also noteworthy, blending contemporary R&B beats with a touch of nostalgia. Another standout track on the album is "Caliber," the first single released from the project. The song showcases Jones's powerful vocals and showcases a more upbeat and confident side of her artistry. The catchy chorus and upbeat production make it a perfect song to dance to, and the lyrics about self-empowerment make it an anthem for listeners.

Favorites include “No Chaser,” and “Spend It.” "No Chaser," a sultry and sensual song that demonstrates Jones's vocal prowess. The song's production is minimalistic and puts the focus on Jones's vocals, allowing her to showcase her range and control. "Spend It" has smooth and seductive production, as well as its catchy and relatable lyrics. The song is about living in the moment and enjoying life, the lyrics and overall vibe is lighthearted and carefree, it's a perfect song to play in a party or a night out with friends.

Overall, Coco Jones's new project "Why I Didn't Tell You" is a well-crafted collection of R&B songs that showcases the artist's vocal range and emotional depth. Here's yet another project that proves R&B is alive and thriving.

This post was originally drafted using AI.

KEHLANI "BLUE WATER ROAD" ALBUM REVIEW

An album that feels more vulnerable for Kehlani, “Blue Water Road” showcases the growth and offers a newer perspective from Kehlani when paired with motherhood and showcasing her true self. You can feel the process was different for this album from Kehlani’s previous works but it still maintains what we have come to love about Kehlani’s music, with they’re tone, story telling and lyrics.

Proceeded by the singles “Alter,” “Little Story,” and the Justin Bieber assisted “Up At Night,'“ the calm melodic sounds flow well throughout the project. Standouts include “tangerine,” and “everything” which Kehlani released the music video for with the release of the album. The album leans into Kehlani’s most vulnerable spaces with the Syd assisted “Get Me Started,” ( and showcased on the Syd feature “Out Loud” — off Syd’s Broken Hearts Club) and the with the Jessie Reyes feature, “More Than I Should” sonically flowing together that their vocals often blend together adding the mystery of who is singing which part.

The album’s closer “Wondering/Wandering” is the track that leaves you wanting more of this vibe that Kehlani has created perfectly summing up the space that Kehlani has found. Vocals can be heard from Kehlani’s daughter adding the perfect end but also beginning to what this album leads Kehlani to.

Stream/Download 'blue water road': https://kehlani.lnk.to/bluewaterroad
Purchase album bundles: https://kehlani.lnk.to/store

SIERGIO "BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE" ALBUM REVIEW

R&B is thriving. And if you need any convincing, check out, Before It’s Too Late by Siergio. The album — which released April 29th, following the singles “Take You Out,” and “Complicated.” Before It’s Too Late has definitely entered the chat when it comes to the conversation regarding “Male R&B” and is arguably among the R&B Albums of The Year.

Moments of nostalgia comes with elements of 90s / early 00s R&B, Its very clear that Siergio has studied well and applied the necessary elements to creating this project and does it in a way that demands its seat at the table.

While streaming platforms are lined with “Go To Artists” taking up the homepages, “Before It’s Too Late” is a project that deserves a spot in the top spots. Whenever an album can bring you back to that classic R&B feeling and feel the void of what many have said to be missing from R&B, take notice. It is hard to pick stand outs when the project is cohesive as a whole and any selection can be stand outs and favorites can change often.

Highlighted tracks (according to Apple Music), — since released, has been “Energy.” “Complicated” “Xtc,” and “Take You Out.” Initial feedback seems to lean to “Closer,” and “Lie To Me,” and for this review, “Eden,” “Leave Him,” and “Clothes On,” come to mind, but looking at the tracklisting, its hard to leave any track out including “You,” “Switching Up”… etc.

As the albums opening track “Energy,” really sets the tone of the journey you are about to take — “Don’t worry baby, I’m giving you the energy you need. Baby I’m gonna take you there with me,” which, as a listener applies to the themes of a relationship but also the state of R&B. “Complicated,” creates the journey of the back and forth, tug of war of relationships struggles, ultimately showcasing the theme of pleading for love and showing how things would be better. By the albums end “Lie To Me,” displays ‘all cards on the table’, finale of getting through and obtaining a love, no matter what could be standing in the way, pure R&B perfection.

“Before Its Too Late” is available now, streaming and on sale at siergiowashere.con

J. COLE RETURNS WITH "THE OFF-SEASON"

J. Cole returned with his 6th studio album, declaring his departure from rap sooner than later. The Off-Season serves as the first of three projects withThe Fall Off being his last project expected before he retires. With that being the direction J. Cole is moving towards, breaking down this project comes to the thought that it was created as if it was his last. The Off Season is a cohesive body of work and upon listening, it is one of the albums that actually lends itself to the statement of being meant to be listened to from beginning to end. Having listened to the project for almost a week after its release, it still remains to work being played as a whole.

The album opens with the Camron narrated “9 5 . s o u t h” and features 21 Savage, Lil Baby, Bas, Morray and 6lack. Highlights/ELSV favorites include: the entire track listing "a p p l y i n g . p r e s s u r e," "l e t . g o . m y . h a n d," and "t h e . c l i m b . b a c k." — From someone somewhat critical of rap and Hip Hop, The Off-Season provides that breath of fresh air to a genre saturated with so much of the same; where you hear the same sounds, the same cadence, the same style, the same bars over a two minute length track — Tracks that are easily forgettable. This album isn't that, this project and its rollout is reminiscent of what album releases used to look like and what's been missing for a long time.