The Weeknd

The Weeknd – Starboy (Deluxe) (2016/2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 01:20:15 minutes | 929 MB | Genre: R&B
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © XO – Republic Records

The extent of the 2015 Weeknd commercial rebound, symbolized by platinum certifications for Beauty Behind the Madness and all four of its singles, didn’t merely embolden Abel Tesfaye. On this follow-up’s fourth track, a blithe midtempo cut where Tesfaye takes a swipe at pretenders while boasting about drinking codeine out of one of his trophies, the level of success is a source of amusement. He notes the absurdity in taking a “kids’ show” award for “Can’t Feel My Face,” in which he was “talkin’ ’bout a face numbin’ off a bag of blow.” The track actually lost to Adele’s “Hello,” but it clearly, somewhat comically, reached an unintended demographic. It comes as no surprise that Tesfaye, on his third proper album, doesn’t attempt to optimize the reach of his biggest hit by consciously targeting youngsters. He sings of being a “Starboy” with access to a fleet of sports cars, but he’s a “motherfuckin’ starboy,” one who is 26 years old and proud to observe his woman snort cocaine off his fancy table. While Starboy often reflects an increased opulence in the personal and professional aspects of Tesfaye’s life – from more upscale pronouns to expensive collaborations with the likes of Daft Punk (two) and “Can’t Feel My Face” producers Max Martin and Ali Payami (four) – the dark moments of vulnerability are pitch black. Lines like “I switch up my cup, I kill any pain” could have come from Tesfaye’s mixtape debut, yet there are new levels of torment. In “Ordinary Life,” he considers driving off a Mulholland Drive cliff, James Dean style, wishing he could swap everything for angel status. It’s followed with “Nothing Without You,” a ballad of toxic dysfunction. He asks his lover if she’d feel guilty for not answering his call if he happened to die that night. It’s not all dread and depravity. There’s some sense of joy in a one-night stand, and an echo of “Say Say Say” Michael Jackson, on the Luomo-ish house track “Rockin’.” Contrition is shown in the slick retro-modern disco-funk of “A Lonely Night.” Ironically enough, in the aching “True Colors,” Tesfaye sounds a little insecure about a lover’s past. The album’s lighter, comparatively sweeter parts – the Tears for Fears-sampling/Romantics-referencing “Secrets” and the breezy and only slightly devilish “I Feel It Coming” among them – are all welcome highlights. When pared down to its ten best songs, Starboy sounds like Tesfaye’s most accomplished work.

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The Weeknd – Live At SoFi Stadium (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 01:35:23 minutes | 1,19 GB | Genre: R&B
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Universal Republic Records

Live at SoFi Stadium is the first live album by Canadian singer the Weeknd. It was released on March 3, 2023, through XO and Republic Records. The album was recorded during two November 2022 concerts at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, as a part of After Hours til Dawn Tour. A week earlier, the concert film of the same name was released on HBO/HBO Max and became the highest debut for a music special in the history of HBO Max. The set list includes songs from the Weeknd’s previous projects: Dawn FM (2022), After Hours (2020), My Dear Melancholy (2018), Starboy (2016), Beauty Behind the Madness (2015), Kiss Land (2013), and House of Balloons (2011), along with multiple songs he was featured on.

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The Weeknd – Thursday (Original) (2011/2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 50:19 minutes | 550 MB | Genre: Alternative R&B, Alternative Post-Punk
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Universal Republic Records

Thursday is the second mixtape by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released on August 18, 2011, by XO. Like his debut mixtape House of Balloons (2011), the Weeknd collaborated with producers and songwriters Doc McKinney and Illangelo; the duo produced Thursday in its entirety, and it contains fewer samples than its predecessor. Recorded in Toronto, the mixtape is also notable for its guest appearance from Canadian rapper Drake.

Thursday has an unconventional and diverse musical style, drawing on downtempo, dubstep, dream pop, hip hop, rock, and reggae music. It contains similar themes to his previous works, exploring the Weeknd’s drug use, libertinism, and experiences with love and newfound fame. He titled the mixtape as a reference to a contentious open relationship he had with a former lover.

Thursday received critical acclaim, who drew comparisons to House of Balloons. It was later commercially released as part of the compilation album Trilogy (2012), and included the single “The Zone” with Drake. On its tenth anniversary, the original mixes were released alongside a limited edition line of merchandise designed by artist Mr. Yanen…

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