It’s hard to determine where The Weeknd is in his career, although it started with the release of three mysterious songs at the tail end of 2010. The subsequent release of three mixtapes in 2011 ("House of Balloons," "Thursday," "Echoes of Silence") cemented his place in music, a space that had never before been occupied. For an artist to carve their own lane, it is impossible for the public to have any inkling on when that lane will vanish, or even merge.
The Weeknd, whose birth name is Abel Tesfaye grew up in Scarborough, a small town in Toronto Canada. Although small, it has plagued him with experiences that effect who he is and his music.
Upon releasing three works in one year, it is easy for fans to become spoiled, greedy and downright bored. How much life can someone live in one year to make them feel comfortable enough to embark upon such a trilogy?
A lot of life, apparently. The first mixtape dubbed “House of Balloons” isn’t filled with the usual sappy love songs or those hip party songs that have no depth beyond the catchy chorus and nonsensical rhymes. Instead, it’s about a shadowy enigmatic teenager who sees the world as his oyster, as long as it included partying, drugs, and girls to brag about.
Once you move onto the second installment, titled “Thursday,” the mood becomes a little more serious, or as serious as it can be for a kid who thinks he can take over the world, by doing as he pleases, even if it comes at someone else’s expense. Sentiments like such can be heard in a song titled “Lonely Star” where he sings “ It seems like pain and regret are your best friends/ Cause everything you do leads to them/ Well baby, I could be your best friend”
Once you move onto the 3rd and final chapter of the trilogy, the mood changes completely, even the title “Echoes of Silence” evokes sadness. It is here where Tesfaye realizes that his actions were wrong, as if he were at a party the night before, and during his hazy hangover a friend retells him the tales of the night. None of which are flattering. All of those things you’d hoped you didn’t do, you did, and all of the things you’d hoped you didn’t say, you yelled. After all, the last words uttered on the trilogy are “Baby please/Would you end your night with me/Don't you leave me all behind/Don't you leave my little life.”
Thus bringing us to his newest offering, titled “KissLand”. Nearly a year after The Trilogy was released to the masses, little is still known about The Weeknd. Not one interview has been conducted, and the only pictures available were those released by his team. With such a carefully designed method, many wondered if he’d maintain this cloak of anonymity , and if the quality of the music would stay up to par.
Starting with the album cover, The Weeknd has decided to go a different route, instead of a party-ridden woman on the cover, it is him, with his head tiled in a condescending way, as if looking down on you, in a dimly lit room with the only source of light coming from the city behind him.
The album is in no way trekking on new territory, neither is it completely rehashing old material either. It is the type of brash, non sentimental existential hate that encompasses The Weeknd. The subject matter is similar, but on a much grander scale, with deeper bass and more pain.
The first song “ Professional” sets the stage for KissLand "So you're somebody now/ but what's a somebody in a nobody town?" asks Tesfaye with assertion, letting you know from the start that he still holds the power. The track swings between smooth R&B sounds and odd voice in the background and ends with creepy guitar strings in the background.
It is a very laidback track with increased tension as the beat switches half way in and then you know, The Weeknd has returned.
“The Town” is a sensible follow up, with similar atmospheric changes in the tempo where The Weeknd sings about how much his hometown of Toronto, Canada has changed since his rise to fame has allowed him to do shows around the world, for the past year.
The next song “Adaptation” is one of standout tracks on the album, where it’s obvious his lyrics have improved with lines like “I think I lost the only piece that held it all in place/
Now my madness is the only love I let myself embrace. ”
His musical influences of Prince, R. Kelly and Michael Jackson can be identified on this song, especially when it comes to harmonies and cadences. He rambles on about a girl he has lost, which may have been his one true love. Not once does he deny his wrong doings, but he also sees no point in running a race that has already been lost. What other choice does he have, but to adapt?
“Love in the Sky” features a strong, guitar focused beat, with hard hitting lyrics about even harder drug use. He feels as if the world doesn’t understand him and his only way out is to dream.
This is followed by “Belong to the World,” which is filled with memorable hooks. It is a record that is likely being pushed as the single by his label, Universal Records, who slowly try to push The Weeknd towards commercial success.
Commercial success comes up again in the next song ”Live For,” which features one of the most successful modern day artists, Drake. Drake’s guest verse is a welcomed break from The Weeknd’s over indulgence of life and its generosity. It is here where we catch wind of The Weeknd’s first braggadocios lyrics about money. The high-life is finally his and the only way he can express himself is to explain the reality of his situation, nothing more nothing less.
“Wanderlust” is the sore thumb of the album. A beat laden with quick paced drums trying to emulate an 80’s disco track. Paired with falsetto vocals it sounds like a “Thriller” left over. Its unlike anything you’ve heard from The Weeknd before, with an unmistakable pop/rock influence. A welcomed surprise of sorts as he channels his inner Michael Jackson.
The title track, “KissLand” is next, a story about how much his life has changed in the past year: "I went from staring at the same four walls for 21 years to seeing the whole world in 12 months." The only downside is that he barely remembers how his new condo looks because he hasn’t had a chance to enjoy it yet.
“Pretty” gets confessional again with a beat that seems to force its grips onto you before slowly letting go enough for you to breath and decipher the intricacies of the instrumentals. In this song he revisits an old fling, with his only quip being "You will never feel this beautiful."
The last song is “Tears in the Rain” where The Weeknd feels it all slipping away and fully acknowledge what he has lost. But with this new level of notoriety comes love, that will satisfy him.
Well, for now at least.The last words uttered are ‘it’s so sad it had to be this, she forgot the good things about me/she let it slip away. ‘
KissLand is an album about The Weeknd trying to discover himself. And with money and fame now being tossed his way, it’s harder than ever to be loyal to his true person. He has yet to satisfy himself. However, the rogue and unapologetic journey he travels makes for entertaining, truthful and raw music .All I can ask is that this journey never ends.
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