Chances are you’ve either heard the Weeknd is the greatest thing to happen to R&B since the “Single Ladies” dance, or you don’t even know who he is.
If you haven’t heard of the Weeknd (real name Abel Tesfay), it might have something to do with the fact that his self-released debut was released only a week ago. Prior to that, he had a handful of songs floating around YouTube.
But ever since the Weeknd’s House of Balloons appeared as a free online download, his music has gathered the kind of media attention publicists usually offer blood sacrifices for: Fellow Canadian Drake has repeatedly Tweeted lyrics and linked to the mixtape, and an ensuing flurry of positive reviews tore through the online blogging community, including an 8.5 rating from tastemaker Pitchfork.
Listen to the slightly NSFW “Wicked Games” after the jump:
But the exasperated dismissal of this mixtape by a British paper is probably the best thing that has happened to the Weeknd so far. Seriously. After all, it’s complimentary for the Village Voice to lump you in with Odd Future affiliate Frank Ocean and claim that “In the last two days, R&B changed again,” but the Guardian’s decree that “Only a fool could think the Weeknd the most exciting thing to happen to R&B in 2011” is even better.
With a media dichotomy like that, you can’t help but wonder whether he’s a savior or a charlatan, and before long you want to listen to the music so you can decide for yourself (especially since its free).
With that divisiveness in mind, the House of Balloons mixtape is a bit underwhelming. It’s too enjoyable to dismiss, but hardly innovative enough to justify all the attention. For something being hyped as a “return” to the genre’s roots, the album sounds surprisingly similar to ((hmm…) Drake’s Thank Me Later, at least sonically. Song structure-wise, he hasn’t quite mastered the craft like his Canuck colleague.
So why can’t blogs stop raving about this? Well, it does boast one thing indie kids love more than a clearance sale on Converse—samples of bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees and Beach House. And unlike most major R&B albums, it maintains a consistent tone—all nine songs bring to mind illicit lovers driving through empty streets at four in the morning, making no bathroom breaks for sing-along choruses or club beats.
But then again, let’s not forget that before his major-label debut, Drake was more adventurous. There’s no reason to think that once the Weeknd get major label deal, he’ll scale back the dark atmospherics and opt for a more polished sound (which the mixtape’s latter half seems to suggest).
So before we declare the Weeknd to be the new voice of R&B—or before we crucify him for the hyperbole of others—let’s just listen to the debut and enjoy it for what it is: a promising debut that manages to grow on you once you push the hype to the side.
What do you think of it? Could he be the next Drake or The-Dream? Or is he just one talented musician in a pool of many?
Read more on EW.com:
SXSW: The ten best new bands including hip-hop collective Odd Future
Wiz Khalifa wants to rap over Mumford and Sons: Good idea?
Snoop Dogg, Warren G and more remember late friend Nate Dogg at his funeral
Beyonce announces split from her father/manager
Another autotune loser……next
He’s going to appeal to the teen crowd with all the dirty words and autotuning. Anybody who knows “talent” will dismiss him.
A lot of people say this album has a lot of autotune but I don’t hear it. There are some vocal effects but those are used for effect not as a crutch. To me he seems to have at least a pretty good voice.
a little bit of auto tune went into this weeknd album tho its used with taste, as an effect it is not a constant and dependent portion of the mix
You obviously haven’t heard the mixtape, or you don’t quite know what autotune is … next.
Agreed Next….
To contextualize, the contrarian blogger on the Guardian who criticized the Weeknd also gave My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy 2 stars out of 5. Take that for whatever it may insinuate.
is that the Kanye CD? Hmmm….the blogger is probably right about that one. I can’t listen to songs where the every other word is f**cking this and that….where have songs gone to? It’s insulting.
Considering almost every other critic had it in their top 5 albums of the year, if not the top album of the year, I doubt if The Guardian’s opinion holds much weight. At least not to people who know what good music sounds like.
I agree.. Any blogger who gave Ye’s album 2 out of 5 stars is out of their mother loving mind.. FromChicago your joking throughout this entire post, correct?? Yea, yur joking buddy
I am the opposite of a prude but I still think the song could do with less cussing. In the context of the lyrics, it almost sounds comical. I do like the haunting, moody quality of the actual song but to be honest Drake does that WAY better. I would rather hear a Drake R&B album than new guy that does the same thing half as good.
DRAKE IS TERRIBLE.
THANK YOU.
10.16.10 at 3:16 pmummmm…i think it’s pippon’ and this ain’t what erykah badu was talking about because this ain’t hip hop.. it’s pop and don’t think either of them would claim to be hip hop.. just because someone raps doesn’t make everything hip hop.. and yes r&b can be hip hop (mary j blige what’s the 411 album) but this ain’t it.
It sucked!
he sounds a bit like Miguel.
Sounds more like Jeremih. Miguel sings much lower than this guy.
bnyc5131999 on May 29, 2011 i know about ethel merman in gypsy, i know about patti lounpe in gypsy, i know about bernadette peters in gypsy, and i know about orfeh in legally blonde lol
In all honesty, it’s a refreshing mixtape. It stands out compared to the music that’s already been served on the table a million times. His different approach and mixes of R&B/Dubstep/Hip-hop/Beach into one song is what draws attention. His infusion of genres is superb. If you think otherwise, then you don’t know what good music is.
The dubstep influence i found quite prominent, which is a testament to Burial’s genius.
dhats whats up thoe
drakes one of the best rappa out their………………. im back on it you luv it kiss me
The “consistency” is exactly what makes this a true EP. A piece of musical art that carries the similar tone and story throughout is exactly what the artist intended to produce. The importance of this is the experimental nature of it.
Beach House/MGMT/Drake/The-Dream are all obvious influences; and that is what makes this great. It’s hi-fi presentation with a lo-fi core; not easily done. Also, anyone who that deems Kanye’s latest effort to be anything but genre-skewing and impressive (even if you dont like it as a whole) is missing the point.
For those with an objective mind, please see: Beach House, Lykke Li, James Blake, Frank Ocean, How to Dress Well, and Jhene Aiko. Enjoy.
Honestly there has been some argument if Weeknd is even R&B artist or an artist experimenting with numerous genres to produce new sound. There is a interesting article called
“You Say Hipster R&B, I Say Nappy-Headed Pop. Either Way, It’s Offensive.” on awl.com
This guy is gonna be big
What mixtape are you nay sayers listening to?? He rarely uses auto-tune the entire tape.. You can count how many times he cursed with your 2 hands.. This tape is pretty damn good, can’t wait to hear more from this kid. Ohh wait, the nay sayers couldn’t get high for this (;
there’s always going be haters, no matter what. The Weeknd brings a whole new flavor to the game and its more than evident that he’s talented. Toronto is starting to produce some really talented music artists.
its so unfortunate that some people are immediately dismissing the weeknd as untalented just because of their hate for drake. and they also dislike drake for his association with wayne, so lame. im not even a huge r&b fan but this weeknd mixtape/album is probably the best album of 2011 so far
I liked it. It has not only an indie twist wit the beats and instrumentals but it also has that raw sex vibe to it which has no rules or limitations. by all means cuss and talk dirty becuz that right there is the feel they wanna give u n i think they did an absolute amazing job wit that. plus his voice is good. its different then anything ive heard before.