Just a few years ago, the Weeknd was shrouded in mystery. We didn’t really know who he was, but we knew that his mixtapes were packed full of amazing material and production. He didn’t do interviews, and his lyrics were so dark people that we were almost scared of this shadowy stranger.
Now, things are completely different. Abel Tesfaye has re-released his three mixtapes as a triple album, ‘Trilogy’, and garnered massive commercial hype. He’ll play London’s O2 Arena in November, a short while after his show at Wilton’s Music Hall saw tickets changing hands for serious money, and is smack-bang in the spotlight. 'Kiss Land' is his debut album on a major label, and he’s largely on song again.
The record’s stand out track is also its controversial lead single, Belong To The World, which utilises an effective, if divisive, riff on Portishead’s Machine Gun as a driving force. The song also brings a powerful hook, perhaps the best anywhere on this collection, and a beautiful rapport between backing vocals and the lead.
Upon first listen Wanderlust appears to be a cheesy rock ballad but with further inspection its layers can be pulled apart to reveal a well-formed tune. It may be a step in a different direction but Tesfaye has somehow made it work as the digitally manipulated vocals provide another massive melody.
The thing about Tesfaye’s previous work is that most of it was so recognisable, so in-your-face, that ‘Kiss Land’ is a tad lacklustre for fans expecting more of the same. The title track blends in like filler, while other tracks lack a convincing melody and Tesfaye’s vocal gymnastics can be overbearing at times as they populate such a lot of the running time.
His incredible singing voice does land a few blows, though, particularly on Live For, a track that also sees the introduction of Drake. Its catchy melody is bound to be popular with hip-hop fans but it isn’t as much of a hit as their last collaboration, Crew Love, as Drake’s contribution is bland compared to Tesfaye’s slick sections.
Some aspects of ‘Kiss Land’ do stand as continuations of what made ‘Trilogy’ such a success, with the transitions between tracks still flowing flawlessly. Lyrically, the title brings back the Weeknd’s dark mystery, with a hauntingly realistic sample of a screaming girl surrounded by a smooth flow that doesn’t hold back. His tales of sexual exploits are spliced with references to drugs and alcohol and recall the Weeknd that we knew before, driving home how innovative his material still is.
‘Kiss Land’ features some of Tesfaye’s best work to date and in just 10 tracks he’s tapped into a range of genres that should send him over the top. By joining a major label and ‘selling out’, the Weeknd has created an album that could land a rare double: substance and commercial success.
Fri November 22nd 2013 - BIRMINGHAM NIA
Sat November 23rd 2013 - MANCHESTER O2 Apollo
Sun November 24th 2013 - MANCHESTER Manchester Apollo
Tue November 26th 2013 - LONDON O2 Arena
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