BY: LILLY GOODMAN, STAFF WRITER
Album cover from albumoftheyear.org
“Dancing in the Flames” displays The Weeknd’s musical ability but highlights areas where the song could have packed more of a punch.
The Weeknd illustrates a fast-paced evening drive in the city as “Dancing in the Flames” begins. With electric echoes reminiscent of Daft Punk, digital harmonies lift the chorus, where The Weeknd’s voice remains soothing and energized. However, the signature complexity of his backing vocals is notably absent here.
His voice remains consistent, both lulling and voltaic, but the main vocals seem over-polished and lacking a dynamic edge. The single struggles to maintain the initial draw established in the first verse, potentially leaving listeners intrigued but not thoroughly captivated. Some may argue that the irregular vocal phrasing adds diversity, but the confusion of his sentences blurs the song’s overall meaning.
The description of a relationship in terms of a late-night drive illustrates how The Weeknd has difficulty explaining his emotions towards his experience with this kind of love. This track closes with a dramatic shift from a neon-lit thrill to an eerie, color-muted mood — signifying the transition from fleeting joy to a haunting emptiness.
Compared to his 2020 hit “Blinding Lights,” the 2024 single feels more like a reflective credit song than a powerful anthem. While his other songs like “The Hills,” “Starboy” and “Heartless” dynamically resonate with listeners, “Dancing in the Flames” leans into a more subdued sound that doesn’t quite reach the same level of impact. However, its unique perspective sets this single apart from the rest of The Weeknd’s discography.
Rather than typically focusing on his role in a relationship, The Weeknd shifts the narrative, intriguingly placing his muse in the driver’s seat and exploring the opposite side of the story. This creative choice brings a fresh angle, even if the song’s overall energy feels less intense.
In his decision to make “Dancing in the Flames” a single, The Weeknd appears to be setting the stage for his November album. The track’s soul-searching tone and unique shift in perspective could foreshadow a reflective and potentially experimental project. Voicing an external perspective could suggest that this album might explore fresh emotional territory. The Weeknd may be expanding and modifying his songwriting.
Suppose this track serves just as a preview. In that case, fans might expect an album that slightly veers away from high-energy anthems and more towards introspection — a deeper dive into relationships, fame and reflection.
As November approaches, “Dancing in the Flames” provides an intriguing glimpse into The Weeknd’s potential new direction with the upcoming album. Though the single’s softened energy and experimental elements may not deliver the explosive punch of his past hits, they hint at an album that could redefine his artistry through deeper analysis — self and environmental.
If this latest release is any indication, fans may be in for a thought-provoking journey when the full album drops — one that reflects The Weeknd’s evolving perspective on love, fame and the emotional toll of life in the spotlight.
goodmaln24@bonaventure.edu
