On first listen, it reminds me of 'Dark Fantasy', in that a significant amount of the albums songs have already been released....and being more then a casual fan, I had heard at least 6 of them previously, which obviously takes away from my listening experience, but doesn't make it a slight on the album from a strictly musical perspective. It's uneven on first listen, more often then not, I think some of the more Max Martin inspired tracks don't quite work, or work as well as they could...other times they are perfect, "As You Are', is the albums best track to me, a perfect fusion of Weeknd. Cinematic and atmospheric, without sounding deliberate, very smooth and understated production....Favorite track, hands down.
I think 'Real Life' and 'Losers' are misses, not glaring or unforgivable, but misses. 'Shameless', I appreciate the nod to his 'Trilogy' (Rolling Stone), and the lyrics are really strong, more so then other points on the album. Poignant and touching. The acoustic guitar and kind of hollow beat hasn't resonated with me yet, it could be something I am drawn back to.
'Dark Times', I like this song, more in theory then execution, but you can see by this track that these are songs destined for movie trailers and they are perfect for that, as well as stadium and heavy radio play...and I'm not mad at it. Despite Weeknd's great opener don't quite feel dark enough, granted, you have Ed Sheeran a British goofball harmoinzing about 'taking it to the streets', which is little awkward already... I can certainly see this in the '50 Shades' sequel trailer, or a dark introspective scene lol....it's a little transparent.
Given the insanely high quality of some tracks though, it seems this album would have benefited from an executive producer with a little more vision...it feels like a loose collection of songs, really good ones, to lesser ones, but a little rushed and feels like drawing from a well of different studio sessions and moods.'Angel' is in the vein of Celine Dion and other pop superstar acts....It's sonically and lyrically fine, theres just too much traces of pop production and generic lyrics...lacks an edge.
'Beauty Behind The Madness' is just a little too glossy and unfocused, it lacks the kind of sincerity, unpredictability, rawness of 'KissLand', the experimental bleakness of the 8 minute songs, this feels a lot more corporate and big budget, which isn't a surprise. I LIKE/LOVE 80% of this, but not all of the songs work as well as 'As You Are', which manages to be cinematic and heartfelt in the same breathe, Weeknd's wailing on the end of the track and the stripped down lyrics are perfect for the production.
The Lana Del Rey collab is dope....really dope, I love her slightly slurred, pained, bedside voice....but again, a little too heavy on the commercial side, at least give her 10-12 original lines, let her be vulnerable, sexy, angry...let her be Lana Del Rey for more then 5 lines.... before we cut to the repeat of the first verse....these are just the signs of a commercial album that slightly detract from the overall creativity, pain, and rawness of the Weeknd, and Lana Del Rey, it just feels a little stifled at times. Weeknd hasn't lost his sense of integrity, image or idendity, it's just been slightly dulled for a song or 4, an aching hangover being treated with the sleepy, itchy feeling of percoset, it's just a bit sterile in spots.
Some of this is my fault, as 'Aquainted' would be fine, if I didn't know 'Girls In The 90's' is so superior, it's replacement lacks the edge, the grimly celebratory sound, and feels like a rushed reworking. 'In The Night' is masterful, as is 'The Hills', 'Can't Feel My Face' and 'Often', even 'Earned It', which I always liked, though inferior to 'Where You belong'.... the Kanye produced 'Tell Your Friends' is def. his answer to the critics wondering when he will redo 'HOB', and I like it, I am more partial to Weeknd in 'As You Are' as opposed to the spoken word rap esque style, and I think less is more with that style, this is a little too smooth of a beat for the lyrics....I'd like a little more of a dramatic Kanye/Weeknd track. The last verse is raw and I'd love to have heard more of that on a beat more fitting for that kind of personal reflection and honestly....
'Beauty Behind The Madness', has the fingerprints of Hollywood and Universal Republic marketing a little too stained on the background, still Weeknd reminds an incredible artist, and this is amazing in some spots.
corny
but if he just remade trilogy sound they would say its boring and he hasnt changed and hes fallen off.
went from an 80s pop song into a classic 2nd half ethereal zone out abel
This album blends his style with mj inspired pop music.
. Classic XO shyt. 
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