It's funny you say this cause some people I know prefer more of the “Blinding Lights” type tracks. Some don’t and that’s the challenge of maintaining a balance at the stardom he is at while trying to put out a good ass album everybody will enjoy. It’s hard but understandable you feel the way you do but for me I am heavily f***ing with this album the more I listen to it. I just enjoy the art he crafts and if I don’t then so be it. That’s why I f*** with him so much and why he’s one of my favorites cause he’s that talented. I can agree at the moment the weakest track for me is “Save Your Tears” but it is slowly growing on me.

all i have to say is wow

Removed blinding lights , heartless ( debatable ) + scared to live

& I think thats perfect

maybe IN YOUR EYES can get the chop too , maybe

But he is not really crafting anything anymore...

Max Martin is on about half of this album. Like he has been since BBTM.

It is a formula being worked with great writers and great producers.

It sound good and how cant it with that many talented people involved... I hate to use this term but it truly feels "over-produced". Im just getting a hollow, empty and uninspired feeling. It is boring and I cant vibe to it. Whether it is the production or his singing on some of the songs, it is nothing special to me.

Chopped everything except for Escape From LA and the last three songs.

This dude put it perfectly

twitter.com/TheTrillAC/status/1241035037916659720

Respect you’re opinion and see what you mean but I feel the complete opposite

Yeah, thats cool.

Ok...a lot of pop Song...mhhh

now that the album is out he gonna stop shaving his beard, right

Do u miss the beard

The beard was iconic bro

I dont think theres a single person out there who prefers the stache

he looks infinitely better with the beard

Abel x Illangelo are such a dream team

I like how thin and healthy he looks rn

Some of the slurred singing is s***ty imo. really brought escape from la down a tier for me.

I disagree brobro — I guess it’s relative , cuz personally I feel like he’s letting out alot of pain + emotion on this album , Def more that BBTM

& due to my current situation these songs hitting me in my chest feel me lol

I feel like he reached anothwr level with this album , finally combing all his “ chapters “ sound in 1 project

I get more and more conflicted as I continue to listen to it and I came here because you guys give off the impression of OG fans

This REALLY falls off after Blinding Lights save for Until I Bleed Out , In Your Eyes - Repeat After Me run conflicts so badly with the aesthetic of the project and sounds straight out of those 2017 sessions whereby he scrapped that 'upbeat, happy album'.

First two tracks are great but that muffled singing spoils certain elements not sure why he adopted that style

Production is immaculate, I just feel like he's still stretching himself thin between the dark Illangelo-driven sound and pop hits

Regardless, still his most focused and cohesive album since Kissland and 'After Hours' self-titled track is his best track since KOTF imo, (only other competition is The Hills) and for that reason I am fairly pleased.

Defo feels like an evolution on the MDM sound more than anything else, I initially wanted to draw a comparison to Kissland but overall it's far too soft even in its heavier moments

It hurts me to say it, but you’re 100% spot on

Still deciding tbh man. Really like Too Late, Hardest To Love, the intro & outro... After Hours title track is still one of my favorites tbh. I also found that it makes sense as a good alternative outro as well if u put it after Bleeding Out

Wbu?

Without a doubt Snowchild, Faith, Escape, Too Late & In Your Eyes not including any of the singles

U?

I've said it a couple of times, but I'm totally enamoured with the title track. It's lengthy, it's atmospheric, it's moody -- laced with some beautiful pen game (Mario Winans masterclass, lol...?). Someone on here once referred to it as 'audio cocaine', and I think that perfectly encapsulates my thoughts on After Hours the single. I honestly wouldn't be surprised to come back in December and confirm it as my SOTY.

As for the rest of the project, it's a little tough. I don't think there's anything that instantly pops out to me. I think I maybe peeped one of your posts saying something similar -- it's not a project with instant hits, but the ones that are like his old sounds are the ones that are 'first week favourites' (Snowchild, Faith etc.). I actually think the album is quite overwhelming, and a bit polarising - so I'm surprised at how well the forum is taking it, honestly.

EDIT: I mean this positively, FWIW. The album is teetering anywhere from an 8 to a 9 for me at this moment in time.

At this point I'll go with In Your Eyes. I want to hear that sax solo blare through my speakers in the summer on the way to my girls (when we're allowed out of our f***ing houses).