The Weeknd sheds his trademark hairdo for next album Starboy

The Weeknd is giving fans a tease of his next album and signsthat he's shed his trademark hairdo.

The Toronto-raised musician shared the artwork for Starboyonhis social media accounts on Wednesday, but stopped short ofrevealing details about a release date or a first single.

The cover hints the singer could be backing away from the gothicimagery of his most recent hit release, Beauty Behind theMadness,in favour of a look that evokes the stylings of QuentinTarantino movie posters.

In the shot, the Weeknd is baskingin blue light against a vibrantred background, with a large crucifix hanging from his neck.

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He's also missing his famous dreadlocks in favour of a shorterhaircut.

The photograph was shot by Nabil, who has worked with the singerin the past and filmed music videos for Frank Ocean and K'naan.

The Weeknd, 26, recently spoke with fashion and culture magazineVman about the sound of his upcoming album,saying he foundinspiration in artists and groups like the Smiths, Bad Brains,Talking Heads, Prince, andDeBarge.

His Ethiopian linguistic roots will also turn up on the album ina bigger way, he said. He briefly spoke Amharic on the track TheHillsfrom Beauty Behind the Madness.

The singer also talked to VMan about his cinematic aspirations,saying he first wanted to be a filmmaker before turning to music. Hecited Canadian director David Cronenberg as a source of influence,alongside David Lynch, Stanley Kubrick and Martin Scorsese. He saidthey all influenced his appearance and esthetic.

The Weeknd, born Abel Tesfaye, was reportedly working in thestudio with French electronic duo Daft Punk over the summer,although it's unclear if that project is related to his own album.

Last week, he offered a few cryptic clues about his plans with amessage on Instagram saying: "This is my last post before the newera."

He also tweeted emojis of fall leaves and an hourglass, whichsome interpreted as signs of a fall release for his next project.