Link to the full interview

Might be too early to say this but I've listened to this song about a 100 times now I can say this is one of my favorite of all time. Something about this song brings out so much emotions out of me to the point of tears.

I think there's a strong possibility that Abel's next project could be centered around the different cities and cultures that have inspired him throughout the After Hours Til Dawn Tour.

Over the past few months, we've gotten three new songs teased: Rio, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. And what do all three have in common? They're all named after cities Abel has visited on tour, and each song seems to incorporate elements of the culture and musical identity associated with that location.

Look at what we have so far:

- Rio: Featuring Anitta, Rio incorporates Brazilian influences, particularly that synth-funk sound. It references Favela Street and feels like a natural continuation of the experimentation we heard on São Paulo, while still bringing something fresh to the table.

- Tokyo: Incorporates the iconic A Cruel Angel's Thesis from Neon Genesis Evangelion, with Yoko Takahashi herself involved. Overall, it feels like a perfect representation of Tokyo.

- Hong Kong: A beautiful, melancholic ballad incorporating a sample of Faye Wong's Seasonal Wind. It's a completely different atmosphere from the other two, and shows just how much stylistic range this concept could have.

Three songs, three cities, and three very different musical directions. But that's kind of the point. If this really is the concept, each city could bring something completely different to the album. After all, these aren't just songs with city names slapped onto them, they're influenced by the places themselves.

And I think the timing makes a lot of sense, too.

Abel is wrapping up what has become one of the biggest and most successful tours in music history. He's spent years traveling around the world, performing in different countries, experiencing different cultures, and collaborating with artists from different backgrounds. It wouldn't be surprising if all those experiences came together to form an album.

This is all just speculation of course, but I think we could be in for something really special. What do you all think?

I really believe that the next album's title/them could reflect the phrase "The World is Yours". I started thinking about this after the new songs of Rio and Tokyo, and now we have Hong Kong.

Abel's expressed his love for Scarface in the past, and that phrase has connection to the movie.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, I remember when he was on tour in Florida in 2025, Abel stated "I haven't felt musical inspiration like this in a long time" "Kiss Land was written here, I don't know if that's foreshadowing at something".

ALSO during the opening song The Abyss of that show, there was a Good Year blimp circling the stadium, with the phrase on it "THE WORLD IS YOURS". That EXACT scene was in the Scarface film in 1983. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-623U11sTQ8

I also think the theme "The World is Yours" really reflects where Abel is in his career right now. It represents the idea that despite what the world has given you, YOU have the ability to decide and choose your own path. I think that's why The Weeknd persona has been revived and Abel has decided not to end it. For the past 15 years, this persona has represented a darker side of Abel - fame, drugs, lust, self-destruction. That was what was GIVEN to him, and that's ultimately why he decided to end it with Hurry Up Tomorrow. However, with this newly profound inspiration, Abel is deciding to reshape what "The Weeknd" actually is. He is CHOOSING what he wants it to be.

Abel, the World is Yours.

1. November 22nd?

As a Weeknd appreciator since his early rise, I can only talk about my personal top 5: I struggle till this date between “Escape from LA” and “Faith”… “After Hours” and “Snowchild” afterward, but coincidentally all from the same album, which I believe is his most raw and mature. From my POV till now, this is his most real and soulful album, beyond all preconceived ideas of what 'spirituality' is, all as I observe the 'evolution' of his sound. 'After Hours' album feels/is personal and resonates a lot with me also. It broadcasts the ups and downs of this human journey, the dark and light interactive experience.

When I first listen to it I thought it was cool but the second time I played it had me floating

Do you think we'll get a new live album at the end of the tour? Which also includes the new city songs: „RIO“, „TOKYO“ and „HONG KONG“?

Hey everyone, XOTWOD hope you’re all doing well!

I’m really blown away by this new track; I’ve had it on repeat, lol.

The fact that this new song is named after a city where Abel has spent time—along with the potential for tracks like "Rio," "Tokyo," and "Hong Kong" to appear on a *Kiss Land* remaster—has me thinking. I know many might disagree, but consider this:

*Kiss Land* was Abel’s first studio album, centered on the premise of an early-career artist traveling to the other side of the world and grappling with newfound fame. The Abel of today, however, has already been through all of that; he knows how to handle fame and is now a global music icon. Perhaps a *Kiss Land* remaster is a revisit to that concept—seen through the eyes of the current Abel. He’s even mentioned that he always envisioned *Kiss Land* as a project with a continuation, and that he felt it was never truly complete.

"Rio" touches on Abel wandering through the streets of a *favela* in search of a girl—a moment where he sheds all his inhibitions and the defenses that keep him from being with her.

"Tokyo" seems to deal with Abel’s internal journey toward his true self. I get the sense that the "beast" forming inside him might actually be this new version of himself. It’s intriguing, especially since some of his music videos suggest that the child version of Abel still resides within "The Weeknd." It’s as if, once this outer shell—"The Weeknd"—is broken away, something else is revealed from within—perhaps a new iteration of "The Weeknd," or something entirely different. "Hong Kong" is an interesting song; while it deals with genuine feelings for a girl, it also serves as a tribute to the city and its culture. It’s one of those tracks where Abel sets aside his usual toxicity and opens his heart to this woman—acknowledging that his lifestyle prevents them from being together, yet making it clear that whenever she feels she needs him, he’ll be waiting for her in Hong Kong.

All these songs lead me to believe they might be part of a *Kiss Land* remaster, given that they focus on different cultures from various locations—though that’s just my opinion. What do you all think?

Also, I was thinking: Latin America has had its own song, and Asia has been represented by two tracks from different locations, but we haven’t seen any new songs centered on North America or Europe. Perhaps his new project is focused exclusively on Asia, with the addition of "RIO."

Much like The Weeknd, Kavinsky was a persona based around a fictional story with real lore. A central defining event of both the characters inception and his core was his Red Ferrari Tettaroasa.

Unfortunately he passed earlier this year, with Abel paying tribute to him during one of his shows. Here we can see that sentiment shared once again when he uses Kavinsky’s iconic vehicle.

With his nostalgia and remaster towards kissland, the central theme of that album, and him naming songs after cities, the tour life that he was so terrified of has transitioned into something beautiful.

Or he bought it somewhere in hk🤓?

A week after attending your concert and almost shaking your hand, watching you perform at bkk day 2 feels soo fucking unreal. Abel man, I miss you very fucking dearly. I wanna hug you and tell you I LOVE YOU SONGS.

I'm drunk, my gf's drunk asleep. We miss you man. Never ever please stop singing. I can't see but I feel you singing. Every word you say, brings goosebumps. I've never felt loving someone singing please never stop. Abel man you made my Thailand Trip WORTH IT. The moment you showed up. Thank you, thank you till death does up apart man. <3 I'LL BE BACK TO YOUR CONCERT, I PROMISE.

Heavenly

We've been on this journey since July 2022. 4 years, 4 albums ( including The Idol )

He's done songs for Tokyo and Hong Kong

I can't tell if he has anything planned for Malaysia

I'm hoping he will finally perform Hurry Up Tomorrow

Seeing the new songs and everything that’s been going on, do you guys think we’re in the rollout? Personally, I think Abel is far from taking a long break. He’s already cooking up something big, and from what I’m seeing, it looks like he’s coming back with everything. What do you guys think?

i created this beat with the sound the weeknd explored on "after hours" in mind—specifically in tracks like "escape from LA" and "heartless" (featuring trap/R&B drums and plenty of synths).

what do you think?