The Weeknd and Playboi Carti's strange 'Timeless' formula

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The Weeknd and Playboi Carti’s strange ‘Timeless’ formula

It is already a fact that the second single from The Weeknd’s new album is going to do better than the first. The song came in at number 2 on Spotify Global and several days later it is still around the top 5. Nothing to do with the collapse of ‘Dancing with the Flames’.

His good chemistry with Playboi Carti, with whom he had already collaborated in the past, seems to be the main reason. Also the sophisticated production carried out by Pharrell Williams, Mike Dean, Ojivolta and Twisco.

One could expect ‘Timeless’ to be a more classic production that could be worn at any time in the future. On the contrary, trap beats alternate with a series of synthesizers that tickle the ears, contributing to the addictive nature of the recording. In some way, two decades coexist on this topic: the 70s of Kraftwerk and the 2010s in which both artists and, in turn, trap became popular.

The lyrics, arrogant and ostentatious, with their street edge (“Ever since I was a jit, knew I was the shit”), contain a couple of nods to Pharrell (“Feel like Skateboard P, BBC boys on the creep / Feel like it’s ’03, Neptune drum with a beam”), BBC being in this case Williams’ clothing line “Billionaire Boys Club”. Not what you were thinking.

The video clip that has just been released, with a lot of women in underwear, pushes the issue back, although nothing that matters to fans of The Weeknd and Playboi Carti. Billie Eilish fans can get into trouble because they don’t like the ‘Birds of a Feather’ video, which at least has its symbolism, but in this other universe nothing happens. Here peace, and then glory.

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Simon Müller

Simon Müller is the driving force behind UMusic, embodying a lifelong passion for all things melodious. Born and raised in New York, his love for music took form at an early age and fueled his journey from an avid music enthusiast to the founder of a leading music-centered website. Simon's diverse musical tastes and intrinsic understanding of acoustic elements offer a unique perspective to the UMusic community. Sporting a dedicated commitment to aural enrichment and hearing health, his vision extends beyond just delivering news - he aspires to create a network of informed, appreciative music lovers. Spend a moment in Mueller's company, and you'd find his passion infectious – music isn’t simply his job, it’s his heartbeat.