As the old saying goes, “good things come in threes”, so it should come as no shock that when the rule of threes gets applied to music, the result can be great. Beyoncé being the most current example, the Album Of The Year winner is on album #2 of her current trilogy. She just announced her world tour, which has all of us in the trenches praying for tickets. Tinashe, who recently experienced one of the biggest hits of her career with “Nasty is also on the second chapter of her current project, and I’m still waiting for Maxwell to release the final installment of his Black Summers Night trilogy. I been waiting since 2016! Trilogies give fans an opportunity to imagine themselves in the mind of their favorite artist. In an age where music has become so disposable, it’s a refreshing way of keeping the audience engaged with the material.
With the release of his latest album Hurry Up Tomorrow, not only is The Weeknd closing out his current trilogy of albums (which began with 2020’s After Hours), but he also is closing out the second album trilogy of his career, the first being in 2011, eventually getting its own separate release in 2012, appropriately titled Trilogy. Abel has stated on multiple occasions that this record will be his final release under his stage name The Weeknd, so it is fitting that he is going out the same way he came in: with a trilogy of synth-pop, dark wave/R&B albums. Think of this record as the grand finale to a 14-year spectacle.
From his more underground albums to the mainstream global successes, the one constant in all of his work has always been his artistic integrity. That’s why when he announced in 2020 that his After Hours would be the first of three albums for the sake of a larger story, I knew that was my Abel’s creative mind in full overdrive. One thing you can never say is that his mainstream success diluted his work, because he proves time and time again that he is just as brilliant as he always was.
It’s about to be a huge year for Abel. Along with the continuation of the After Hours ‘Til Dawn Tour which hits stadiums this summer, he is also releasing an accompanying psychological thriller film with the same title as the album. The Lionsgate distributed film stars Abel, Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan. Talk about going out with a bang… I wouldn’t expect anything less from The Weeknd, say what you want about The Idol but it was a big, ambitious project. Abel doesn’t do anything small when it comes to his work as The Weeknd. What will come after this trilogy is closed? Only time will tell, but if his Grammy comeback tells us anything, it’s that we never really can anticipate what he will do next.
In the vein of creative minds, another artist that fits the description is Lady Gaga. After a triumphant Grammys, we have now been gifted with the second single from her forthcoming album Mayhem. “Abracadabra” is the Gaga we know and love, at a time we so desperately need her. Aside from the gay panic that ensued in my household upon its release, the music video has gotten a huge amount of good will already, cementing this next era in Gaga’s career as one of her most exciting so far.
Next week we’ve got new releases from GIVEON, and Lisa’s collaboration with Doja Cat and RAYE. Plus, with Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show and the madness surrounding Beyoncé’s tour, there’s no doubt that the music will follow. I am most definitely still in a GRAMMYs hangover, so while I’m listening to Beyoncé, Doechii and Kendrick on repeat like it’s last summer, there are still so many strong new additions. Along with some tunes from The Weeknd and Mother Monster, we have the latest solo effort from a K-Pop queen, an R&B remix and a viral throwback pick in honour of one greatest musical queens whose connection to GRAMMY weekend is undeniable.
Listen on…
MC’S PICKS OF THE WEEK
“I Can’t Wait To Get There” by The Weeknd
One of the things I have always loved about Abel’s songs is the contrast of his songwriting and the sound of his voice. He’ll be singing about something aggressive but his angelic vocal tone completely disguises it. Not many artists can sing a lyric like “I eviscerate my enemies and piss on their grave” and make it sound like romance. I also appreciate the little Madonna tidbit he drops in this song, that he sold his house to her. Did we know this? Maybe that’s just news for one lol. The song itself, which was co-written with Mike Dean and Thomas Brown (who worked with Ariana Grande on the thank u, next album), is Abel stepping completely into his R&B bag. His vocals melt into the synths, a total vibe, making for the perfect jam to put on with some candles lit. OH, and the 60s girl group-esque harmony that we hear singing the hook gets a special MC stamp of approval.
“Cry For Me” by The Weeknd
Ever since I was young, I’ve always had an instinct about a song that is sure to be smash. When I was 8 and heard Britney’s “In The Zone” album, my little ears recognized immediately that track 6 was going to be a big moment. Look up what song that was and tell me I wasn’t a little A&R in the making! I got the same feeling on my first listen of “Cry For Me”. The second this banger started playing, I knew that it was the hit of Abel’s new album. Sure enough, this is the song he sang at his Grammy’s comeback performance. This Metro Boomin’ and Mike Dean produced track has a hypnotic feel that draws you in upon the first drop. Abel’s vocals over the trance beat is exactly what one would think of when they imagine a classic Weeknd track. The lyrics describe being trapped in a “penthouse prison”, a metaphor for the dangers of fame, a theme that has followed the albums in this final trilogy. If this really is his last album as The Weeknd,“Cry For Me” is as good a swan song as any.
“Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga
When Gaga started teasing new music last summer, the Little Monsters had a feeling. A feeling that Mother was coming back in a way that she hasn’t for a while, something felt right. Maybe it was the success of “Die With A Smile”, or maybe it was the Harlequin wigs. Whatever it was, it’s now been birthed into “Abracadabra”, a song that is SO Gaga, it feels like it could’ve come from her ARTPOP or The Fame Monster albums. The chant towards the end of the chorus is as dramatic as you could ever want a Lady Gaga song to be. The music video is a true return to form, with sharp choreography and a fierce army of dancers. She is a master in dark theatrics, but what is most impressive is the fact that even after all these years, she has managed to give us something fresh yet again. Using a sample of the 1981 gothic rock song “Spellbound” by Siouxsie and the Banshees (as written in the credits of the song), Gaga is taking from her own influences and incorporating those sounds into this new era. Anytime Gaga pulls out the ultra-long hair or an over the top accessory, I already know it’s go time. The album, Mayhem, drops on March 7th, so put your paws up Little Monsters, MOTHER Monster is back.
“Love Hangover” by JENNIE & Dominic Fike
On to someone who has worked with Abel on the smash hit “One Of The Girls”, which took over streaming last year, let’s give it up for JENNIE. Can I just say that I am living for this era of all the girls experimenting with groovier sounds versus traditional pop music? Her latest single “Love Hangover” is laid-back, with some old-school R&B influences sprinkled throughout the entire track. Particularly in that chorus, with those backgrounds and melody, such an earworm. Her vocals are giving 2015 Selena Gomez Revival album era (the most iconic time of Selena’s music career). Dominic Fike adds his signature charm and charisma to the song, and the video (co-starring Charles Melton!) doesn’t disappoint either. If there’s one thing the ladies of BLACKPINK know how to do it’s produce a visual that is worthy of our time. If the rest of JENNIE’s album is anything like this, I can’t wait to spin it on my vinyl player.
“Here We Go (Uh Oh) [Remix]” by Coco Jones, Leon Thomas
Coco has been on the rise for a few years now, and while she definitely seen some success, she is still criminally underrated. She’s got the talent, the voice, the persona, the beauty, all of it. This track is jazzy, while still being current. I was just at a live jazz bar in NYC last November, and the band was performing this song. It was magic. Thankfully, Coco is not done pushing it and includes a bonus verse from one of today’s top male R&B artists, Leon Thomas. If you’re not aware of who Leon is, take a listen to his album when you get the chance. Leon’s vocals add another layer of depth to the soulful track. Coco was nominated for two Grammys for the solo version of this song, so if anything, this new remix is simply a refresh to a new audience who may not have gotten a chance to experience it the first time around. Now, all we need is the album. Coco we’re waiting and ready whenever you are.
MC’S VIRAL PICK
“Million Dollar Bill” by Whitney Houston
You may have noticed that the now famous hallway walkthroughs at The Jennifer Hudson Show are now more of a promotional moment than the actual interview. The latest celebrity to gain a viral moment from “the happy place” is none other than the viral queen herself, Keke Palmer – but not for the reason you think. Yes, she’s as vibrant and hilarious as ever, but it’s her uncanny resemblance to the late great Whitney Houston that has got the internet shaking in their boots. Here's the original.
@jenniferhudsonshow You know it’s your girl! @Keke Palmer #thejenniferhudsonshow #jenniferhudson #kekepalmer #jhud
♬ original sound - Jennifer Hudson Show
My entire feed this past weekend was nothing but different edits of this same clip attached to different legendary Whitney Houston songs. It was the edit of her walk with “Million Dollar Bill” that stood out the most to me, and clearly to Keke herself because she reposted the edit, asking “who did this?!!?” lol.
The completely over-the-top belly laugh that came out of me when Keke lifts her right arm to the sky, waving it to left and right, all while Whitney sings “makes you go left, right, u, down” HAS to be the most joyous laugh I have released in all of 2025 so far. That post on Keke’s page has now earned over 2 million hits, and reposted everywhere, with pretty much all the comments completely gagged by Keke’s resemblance to Whitney.
This isn’t the first time that Keke has gotten the Whitney comparisons, as her over-the-top mannerisms mirror Nippy’s so well it’s undeniable. Given that we just passed GRAMMY weekend, the weekend Whitney once owned, and with the 13th anniversary of Whitney’s passing just around the corner, now feels as good a time as ever to give our girl some love. With Keke’s viral moment, she has a good portion of the internet happy, smiling and reminiscing on the beauty and the treasure that was Whitney Houston.
You can also check out my “MC’s MUSIC LOUNGE” Spotify playlist here to keep up to date with my weekly picks throughout the year. Join us at The Squawk to talk about all things music today. (App link here)
With Love,
MC
