The Weeknd Unveils New ‘Starboy’ Tracks in ‘Mania’ Short Film

To stoke anticipation for his new album Starboy, due out November 25th, the Weeknd released a lengthy visual on Wednesday titled “Mania.” The clip, directed by regular collaborator Grant Singer, stretches close to 12 minutes, incorporating elements from the singer’s previous visuals – the sleek car from the “Starboy” video, the brutal violence of the “False Alarm” clip – along with some new music and an extended, dimly-lit club sequence. 

The first half of the action is family-friendly. “Mania” opens with a solitary black panther drooling on a chalk-white pedestal; soon the Weeknd is driving his expensive vehicle while boasting about his talents: “Too many people think they made me/ Well if they really made me then replace me.” The track accompanying his joyride mixes bluesy soul and a punchy beat. He eventually arrives at his destination and struts into a room full of dancers as the soundtrack moves towards a disco groove.

The savage aspects of the first two Starboy videos soon returns, as a scene of dance floor romance is broken up by an attempted murder. The Weeknd is suddenly covered in blood, and the fierce low-end of “Party Monster,” which surfaced last week, booms through the speakers. The visual come to a close back at the same pedestal from the opening scenes: this time the singer and a lady he danced with in the club are standing, triumphant but blood-spattered, as “I Feel It Coming” plays in the background.

Starboy‘s title track is currently No. 3 on the Hot 100. The album hits shelves on Friday.