http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abCHCkQsQbk

The music video is self-directed by Abel Tesfaye, also known as The Weeknd, and was released three weeks after Abel signed with Universal Republic Records.

The Weeknd’s debut album Trilogy is scheduled for release on November 13th 2012. The album will include re-mastered works of Abel Tesfaye’s three mixtapes, “House of Ballons”, “Thursday”, and “Echoes of Silence.” Trilogy will also include three brand new tracks,  “Twenty Eight”, “Valerie”, and “Til Dawn.”

After the release of his music video Abel also released a letter to his fans:

To my fans,
I want to thank you for listening and being patient for as long as you have. No matter what an artist’s ego clouds them to believe, you are the reason why I have been able to continue to do what I love to do and that is to entertain you. My journey for inspiration may seem like masochism to others who have not been given the task to make art, but best believe it brings me nothing but joy.

Because I am a man of few words, I chose to make a viral video to show you how I felt and where I stand. I usually don’t like to ‘spoon feed’ my audience because I grew up idolizing story tellers who tell stories using symbolism, so it was in my nature to do the same. The Rolling Stone video takes place in a dimly lit studio which represents the two worlds I have been stuck in. The gloomy side represents the mainstream world while the other side represents the underground. The girl holding on represents you. As the world slowly gets familiar with my face the more you will lose interest (hence the pieces of her clothing coming off at every shot). The camera lights symbolize the crossover, and when they begin to flash I look away from the underground. Even though I don’t want to, it is a step that I feel I must take to evolve as an artist.

This predicament is impossible to relate to unless you are put in that unique situation. I want you to know and understand that this does not mean what you think it means, and I made sure of that in my deal. You will continue to get what you fell in love with, and I will continue to give you what you ask for. I’ll never make you wait again. With that being said expect more from me very soon leading up to “TRILOGY”. Thank you again for your patience and loyalty, I will not disappoint.

Sincerely,
Abel Tesfaye XO

Replay the 30-second teaser of Trilogy until its release on November 13th.