The Weeknd is taking our breath away with his latest single, and he’s taking inspiration from another superstar on his next project: Britney Spears.
During the Wednesday (Aug. 11) episode of his Apple Music 1 radio show Memento Mori, The Weeknd played “Everytime” and “Toxic” from Spears’ 2003 album In the Zone. According to a description of the new episode, The Weeknd played “a mix of music that showcases tracks inspiring the new Dawn era.”
In addition to Spears, the singer also played two songs by Nas (“Star Wars” and “Thief’s Theme”), as well as tracks by Swedish House Mafia, Kid Cudi, Kanye West and Tyler, the Creator.
Spears’ fourth studio LP contains similar electronic-laced dance-pop flavors to the disco production of The Weeknd’s latest single “Take My Breath,” which could drive the sonic direction of the rest of his new album, the follow-up to his Billboard 200 chart-topper After Hours.
On the Memento Mori episode, The Weeknd announced that he’s nearly finished with the project. “Album is pretty much done,” he said. “Just doing some final tweaks, some mixing notes, additional vocals.”
He previously announced “the dawn is coming” at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards in May, hinting at his next era. “I just want to say the After Hours are done and the dawn is coming,” he said during his acceptance speech after winning the top Hot 100 song award for “Blinding Lights.”
