Earlier today, The Weeknd shared the release date of his upcoming sixth studio album, The Idol Vol. 1 on Instagram. He announced to fans that they can expect to hear the new LP later this month, on June 30. The album will act as the soundtrack for his new series alongside Lily-Rose Depp, The Idol.
The Weeknd just shared a song earlier today from the album, titled, "Popular." It features Madonna and Playboi Carti and was produced by Metro Boomin and Mike Dean. He teased the track earlier this week, and announced that the album is now available for preorder. Playboi Carti also shared a screenshot of him FaceTiming with The Weeknd last week.
Read More: The Weeknd & Lily-Rose Depp Get Raunchy In New Trailer For “The Idol”
The Weeknd Reveals The New Album Comes Out June 30
The artist spoke with Interview in April, telling them that the new album is "just as important" as the series. He added, "There’s a whole album. I’m not shying away from making music. It’s just adding another element to my already crowded schedule." "I’ve been inspired by The Wall and Purple Rain and when Bowie was doing it, but even films like Shaft, the music is literally telling the story of the film. But I want to take it to the next level," he revealed. The Weeknd went on to share, "I want to challenge myself and I feel like, as a musician, I’m the best I’ve ever been. But I have ADD. I can’t focus on just that. It’s like, how do I throw a wrench in it?"
The series has stirred up some controversy for nudity and a Rolling Stone report of an alleged behind-the-scenes "shitshow." Their piece featured interviews with various members of the cast and crew. The show, however, received praise from Sharon Stone in May. “I just watched the first two episodes of @theidol. @lilyrose_depp and Abel (@theweeknd) [are] so sure-footed,” she wrote on Instagram. She continued, “Sam Levinson addresses the root of crisis in entertainment,” adding, “Which comes first, the brilliance? Or the heartache?”
