Album Of The Year Review: The Weeknd

Its time to get back to my annual review of the Album of the Year nominees. As before, I'll review each track, giving it either a "checkmark", and "O" (for a good, not great song), or an "X". To come up with a raw score, I'll multiply the "checkmark" percentage by 2, add it to the "O" %, and then subtract the "X" %. The best possible score is a 200. 

(All Rights to The Weeknd, XO & Republic Records)

1) "Real Life"

Starts off with a big intro with a driving beat. Here, he admits his previous struggles. It gives off a similar message to Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean". This sets the mood for the coming album.  ( ✔ )


2) "Losers" ft/Labrinth

Has a piano intro. This shows off his lower range of his voice in the 1st verse. It has a funky theme after the hook. Has a superb beat drop. The track is about how he dropped out of high school to pursue music, and his reflections on it. Lyrically, however it leaves a little to be desired. (O)

3) "Tell Your Friends"

Has an old-school feel to it. This shows he has nothing to hide about his about his past. He also shows how he's reached to this point in his career; "Last year I did all the politickin', This year I'mma focus on the vision". You can also tell that this was produced by Kanye West from its sound.  ( ✔ )


4) "Often"

The intro is a sample of a Turkish poet. This track is about spending a night with a woman. There's lots of sexual imagery in the hook, but overall this lacks a real point. (X)

5) "The Hills"

Starts with a dramatic intro. Has an incredibly catchy chorus. The track displays how he turns his situation with a woman back-around on her; "Who are you to judge? Hide your lies, girls hide your lies. Only you to trust, only you".   ( ✔ )


6) "Acquainted"

Has a sort of spacey intro. This shows how he was starting to get romantically connected with someone. The last chorus slows it down with a break.  ( ✔ )

7) "I Can't Fell My Face"

This personifies drug addiction. The chorus has an old-school feel. Has a lot of imagery, maybe the most lyrical song yet. ( ✔ )


8) "Shameless"



Has a dark opening. About a "friend with benefits" situation that's been prolonged. He turns it back on her, saying she keeps coming back. Has a nice guitar interlude break. The track is just so smooth. ( ✔ )


9) "Earned It"



Starts with an orchestral intro. The track talks about spontaneity in love; "Cause I hate when the moment's expected". This is originally from the "50 Shades" soundtrack. The track is perfectly put together. ( ✔ )


10) "In The Night"

A powerful chorus about a woman with a dark past of abuse; "She was young & she was forced to be a woman". The song really tells a story. ( ✔ )


11) "As You Are"

Has a driving beat. A pleasant sounding track, but its message of young, complicated love feels a bit redundant. (O)


12) "Dark Times" ft/Ed Sheeran

This definitely has a Sheeran infused sound. This is warning women about getting in a relationship with them, warning them about their own addictions and dark sides. The duet captures the best elements of both artists. ( ✔ )


13) "Prisoner" ft/Lana Del Rey

Has a dreamy intro. Nice harmonies in the chorus. Lana here plays the role of a tortured lover to The Weeknd's addictions. The track does drag on a bit. (O)


14) "Angel"

Starts with a big opening. Has a sort of rock-fusion sound. Here, he's remorseful for his own personal angel. This feels like a fitting conclusion.  ( ✔ )

This album is reminiscent of 1980s R&B/pop, and that's amazing. "Beauty Behind The Madness" is a great breakthrough for The Weeknd, loaded with a lot of terrific singles as well. A good showcase of what he's capable of in the future.

✔ = 71.4%

O = 21.4%

X = 7.1%

Raw = 157.1

Chris Stapleton: 185.7

Kendrick Lamar: 162.5

Taylor Swift: 161.7

The Weeknd: 157.1

Alabama Shakes: 134