THE WEEKND — After Hours

The Weeknd – AFTER HOURS arrives on Universal UK as catalogue 602508929908, a double 12-inch vinyl that gathers the artist’s recent electro-infused output under a banner of hip-hop house, funk house and soul house. The release, scheduled for 20 November 2026, stands out for its striking clear/red splatter vinyl presentation, a visual cue that matches the nocturnal mood of the material. Within Universal UK’s recent activity, AFTER HOURS follows a string of heavyweight entries. Earlier in 2026 the label issued Swedish House Mafia’s Paradise Again LP 2×12″ (catalogue 4808667) and Max Richter’s The Blue Notebooks (Record Store Day 2018) (catalogue 4835016), while the 2025 catalogue includes The Velvet Underground & Nico (catalogue 3717108) and The Weeknd’s own Hurry Up Tomorrow LP (catalogue 6599475). The new double-LP therefore continues a trajectory that blends mainstream pedigree with underground dance sensibilities, positioning The Weeknd’s house-leaning reinterpretations alongside the label’s eclectic roster. Side A opens with “Alone Again”, a track that leans into a deep groove, setting a contemplative tone that is deepened by the following “Too Late”. Both cuts sustain a steady pulse that encourages a smooth transition, while “Hardest To Love” introduces a slightly tighter rhythm, adding a subtle shift in energy that prepares the listener for “Scared To Live”, a track whose title hints at a more introspective atmosphere before the side concludes. The sequencing on side A creates a gradual build, each track reinforcing the house-oriented aesthetic while preserving the emotive core of the original material. Side B picks up with “Snow Child”, a cut that feels cooler in its texture, offering a breath of fresh air after the intensity of side A. “Escape From LA” follows, its title suggesting a movement away from the familiar, and it maintains the rhythmic continuity established earlier. The side’s momentum peaks with “Heartless”, a reinterpretation that translates the original’s dark lyricism into a dancefloor-ready rhythm, before “Faith” rounds out the side with a more uplifting vibe that hints at resolution. Side C begins with “Blinding Lights”, a track that transforms the synth-pop original into a funk-house framework, delivering a bright, propulsive feel. “In Your Eyes” continues the momentum, offering a slightly more melodic angle while retaining the driving beat. “Save Your Tears” concludes the side with a soulful house groove that underscores the emotional weight of the source material, making it suitable for both peak-time moments and more reflective set segments. Side D closes the narrative. “Repeat After Me (Interlude)” functions as a brief palate cleanser, a short instrumental that eases the transition into the title track “After Hours”. This centerpiece expands the record’s central theme, providing a spacious groove that invites DJs to layer it within a set. The final cut, “Until I Bleed Out”, offers a darker, more atmospheric close, its title suggesting a lingering intensity that can serve as a powerful outro or a deep-cut for late-night moments. In the context of The Weeknd’s recent vinyl output, AFTER HOURS follows the 2025 Hurry Up Tomorrow LP, also on Universal UK, which presented a more straightforward R&B orientation. The new double-LP demonstrates a clear pivot toward club-focused reinterpretations, aligning the artist’s catalogue with contemporary house trends while preserving the lyrical and melodic signatures that define the original songs. From a DJ’s perspective, the record supplies a versatile toolkit. The A-side tracks work well for warm-up or early-set slots, offering a steady groove that can be mixed into deeper house selections. The B-side provides a mix of cooler textures and more driving moments, ideal for building momentum. C-side’s bright, funk-laden tracks suit peak-time peaks, while D-side’s interlude and closing pieces give a narrative arc that can be exploited for set climaxes or as a thematic conclusion. The physical format is a 2×12-inch vinyl set, pressed on clear/red splatter vinyl that adds a visual statement to the auditory experience. The presentation complements the nocturnal, atmospheric qualities of the music, making it a compelling object for collectors who value both sound and aesthetic. The Weeknd – AFTER HOURS, Universal UK, catalogue 602508929908, 2×12-inch vinyl, 14 tracks. Tracklist: A1. The Weeknd – Alone Again A2. The Weeknd – Too Late A3. The Weeknd – Hardest To Love A4. The Weeknd – Scared To Live B5. The Weeknd – Snow Child B6. The Weeknd – Escape From LA B7. The Weeknd – Heartless B8. The Weeknd – Faith C9. The Weeknd – Blinding Lights C10. The Weeknd – In Your Eyes C11. The Weeknd – Save Your Tears D12. The Weeknd – Repeat After Me (Interlude) D13. The Weeknd – After Hours D14. The Weeknd – Until I Bleed Out