advertisement
FYI

The Weeknd: Blinding Lights

Abel Tesfaye's new single, one that doubles as a long Mercedes-Benz ad, features '80s style synths and is a refreshing change of pace for the global star.

The Weeknd: Blinding Lights

By Kerry Doole

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights (Universal Republic Records/UMG): This new cut from The Weeknd is, in essence, an ad for Mercedes-Benz, yet is being treated as a legit single for chart purposes. Given the current blinding star power of Abel Tesfaye, it will of course rocket up those charts faster than a Merc on the autobahn.


The Weeknd has been named Creative Director of Mercedes-Benz's "Enjoy Electric," campaign, one that celebrates the market launch of the Mercedes-Benz EQC, the famed car company's all-electric EQC. The campaign features a TV ad, a long-format film, and four product films available on the brand's social media channels, with The Weeknd the main protagonist of the films.

advertisement

The track itself has a different sonic vibe than The Weeknd's signature dark contempo R&B, thanks to pulsating synths with an '80s Anglo electro-pop feel (his other new single, Heartless, sticks to his original template). Lyrically, it references lost love, so of course the blogosphere is speculating over whether Bella Hadid or Selena Gomez is the source material.

The accompanying video is sleek and polished, featuring vignettes of M-B models through the years. Definitely eye-catching, and you can bet it will register high view totals as word gets out.

The Weeknd's upcoming fourth studio album, reportedly entitled Chapter V1, is expected in 2020

Links

Website 

Twitter 

Facebook 

Instagram 

advertisement
Travis Scott performs onstage during the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 4, 2024 in Los Angeles.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Travis Scott performs onstage during the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 4, 2024 in Los Angeles.

Legal News

Travis Scott Wants Out of Astroworld Lawsuits, Arguing Safety Was Not His Responsibility

With the first trial looming this spring, Scott's attorneys say he's not legally liable for injuries and deaths at the 2021 music festival.

Travis Scott is asking to be dismissed from the sprawling litigation over the 2021 disaster at the Astroworld music festival, arguing that safety and security at live events is “not the job of performing artists.”

More than 2,500 people have sued over Astroworld, which left 10 dead and hundreds injured after a crowd crush during Scott’s Nov. 5 show. They claim Scott (real name Jacques Bermon Webster II), Live Nation and other organizers were legally negligent in how they planned the event, and are collectively seeking billions in damages.

keep readingShow less
advertisement