Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Music Box • Album

After Hours

After Hours is the fourth studio album by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

After Hours is the fourth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, released on March 20, 2020. It blends dark synth-pop and R&B with themes of loneliness, self-loathing, and escapism.

What it is

After Hours is the Weeknd’s first full-length studio album since Starboy (2016). The title was inspired by the 1985 Martin Scorsese film of the same name, and the album’s sound is cinematic and psychedelic, with a late-night mood and confessional lyrics.

Key details

The standard edition has 14 tracks, including hits like "Blinding Lights," "Save Your Tears," and "Heartless." The album was promoted with four singles and became a defining release in the Weeknd’s catalogue, with "Blinding Lights" achieving massive commercial success.

Why it matters

As a Canadian artist from Toronto, the Weeknd’s After Hours is one of the most prominent albums by a Canadian musician in the 2020s. It is widely discussed for its commercial impact and its role in shaping modern pop and R&B.

In short

  • Released March 20, 2020, by XO and Republic Records.
  • 14 songs including "Blinding Lights" and "Save Your Tears."
  • Themes of loneliness, self-loathing, and escapism.
  • Inspired by the 1985 film After Hours.
Canadian angle

The Weeknd is a Canadian artist from Toronto, and After Hours is one of the most prominent albums by a Canadian musician in the 2020s.[1][4]

Quick questions

What is the After Hours album?
After Hours is the fourth studio album by the Weeknd, released in 2020. It features 14 songs in its standard edition and includes "Blinding Lights" and "Save Your Tears."
Who sings After Hours?
The album is by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, whose birth name is Abel Tesfaye.
After Hours album release date
After Hours was released on March 20, 2020.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/After_Hours_(The_Weeknd_album)
    Supports: Album identity, release date, title origin, themes, and singles.
  2. Apple Music — https://music.apple.com/us/album/after-hours/1499378108
    Supports: Release date, track count, album length, and artist identification.
  3. Republic Records — https://www.republicrecords.com/products/the-weeknd-after-hours-album-cd
    Supports: Official track listing for the standard edition.
  4. Genius — https://genius.com/albums/The-weeknd/After-hours
    Supports: Album themes and widely recognized significance.