The Weeknd debuts short hair on new album cover

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- The Weeknd is switching up his signature hairstyle ahead of his new album.

The 26-year-old singer, born Abel Tesfaye, announced his fourth studio album, Starboy, on social media Wednesday and revealed a short new haircut on the record cover.

"New album cover / title shot by Nabil #Starboy," he captioned a photo of the cover on Twitter.

The Weeknd, who previously sported a sculpted dreadlock hairstyle, recently discussed the album in the Fall/Winter issue of V Man magazine. He revealed the record was entirely written in Los Angeles and will draw from "new inspirations."

"The production feels aggressive but still sexy," the star said. "The Smiths, Bad Brains, Talking Heads, Prince, and DeBarge play roles."

"I think it'll be the best-sounding album I've ever done. It's hard to label the sound because, when I first came out, nobody would label it R&B. I just want to keep pushing the envelope without it feeling forced," he added.

The Weeknd last released Beauty Behind the Madness in 2015, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The album includes the singles "The Hills" and "Can't Feel My Face," and won Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 2016 Grammys.