End the Cycle by Breaking Through (The Dying Logs Day 6)

The Weeknd laid out a trilogy of albums.

In the first, After Hours, he acknowledges his faults then doesn’t change. In fact, as so often happens he leans further into this character.

It’s clear he isn’t advocating for this behavior. He perfoms with injuries all over himself.

But he’s The Weeknd right? There are definitely darkness and openness but it’s almost a choice to make him more vibrant, interesting, cool.

Enter the 2nd album Dawn FM. We start to see some real real cracks and from them it becomes… vulnerable?

Vulnerability yes and has always been a part of his music but this record is cranked up to 11. There’s no closure bravado – coolness even… especially by the time we reach the end tracks.

I mean the guy is straight up embarrassing on this album at times. At first glance that’s a downgrade and it’s clear he knows that. He’s doing it to illustrate something big. One big hint is legendary producer Quincy Jones honestly looking back at some mistakes/regrets and that combined with the albums limbo and radio aesthetic make it clear everything hear is much more complex and planning out than at first glance.

There’s much here but most potently, The Weeknd is starting to realize there has to be a change to his ways. He’s looking for real revelation after he’s been in a cycle way too long. And in some moments lucario Weeknd is even putting out cringe lyrics you’re expect to hear on a laughable feminized pop star ghostwritten record.

Any armor is coming off faster and faster by the moment… and at the start of a change like this there’s always embarrassment. I mean take the a huge bodybuilder, a fashion icon, musician, there was always cringe at the beginning. But they pushed through and became great.

And for his third album in the trilogy he’s releasing under his real name for the first time. Full person. No gimmicks.

What I expect? Understand weakness and vices and have transfixed all while remaining true to himself (not turning into any of the cringe seen on Dawn FM). Art and life unite and here’s the wisedom I’ve been forced to learn because After Hours didn’t work, trying to change failed and led to regression. A changed man. Life isn’t perfect but there’s peace in knowing inside he’s become (and always still becoming) a better person living a much better, more actualized life.

After Hours is the self created nightmare and acceptance of the nightmare, Dawn FM is stumbling blindly trying to find something different, and the the third album will be the breakthrough and actualization.

And such is my life. No more cycle, no more nightmare; and this is mental… keeping is always even if my health fails completely.

Each day breaking free, being better through strength and action.

Now yesterday mild Pnemonia came back enough to cause noticeable symptoms.

The treatment is the antibiotic Augmentin for 7-10 days. I know this particular antibiotic is by far the hardest on my stomach and I’m already in daily pain.

I will not take kratom extract or anything else for pain. When things like this come up, I’ve changed it in my mind from “I hate this so much. When can I get a break?” To “Another test to conquer. Another way to showcase with action the strength, discipline, and stoicism I have and always will have.”

My stomach literally just loudly made a noise as I typed that.

Anyways, my brain has temporarily gotten less coherent and I’m much much more tired. However it’s clear as day it’s also been healing up. I’ve been having so much more moments of thoughtfulness despite the Pnemonia also dulling it – there’s a clear separation.

One day at a time, every day a chance to learn and build.

Much love to everyone.