January 8, 20223 yr This album got off to such a strong start, the intro track set up the concept nicely and then tracks 2-5 are all bangers (I hadn't heard the extended version of 'Take My Breath' yet so glad he used that version for the album as I like it more than the single version!) Unfortunately after that it goes into quite a long lull of songs that are either just kind of forgettable or don't feel like they live up to their potential ('Starry Eyes' felt like it was constantly building up to a big moment and then just ended, 'Best Friends' sounded like it was going to be a highlight for like the first 10 seconds and then never developed further on that, the Tyler feature was unfortunately a total letdown as the song is a bit of a snoozer and it wasn't exactly a compelling verse by Tyler's standards, and as multiple people have pointed out already 'Every Angel Is Terrifying' is a massive tease with some of the most promising sounding production on the album wasted on an interlude -_-). But then it picks up again near the end as 'Don't Break My Heart' and especially 'Less Than Zero' are also highlights and again enjoyed the outro conceptually. 'I Heard You're Married' was overall a good song as well but the Lil Wayne verse felt... at best out of place but honestly it kind of just sounded bad oops. Bonus marks for cohesion (so many smooth transitions *.*) and I do like the radio broadcast concept as a whole. But as far as the actual music goes it's a big step down from 'After Hours' with nowhere near as many songs I am immediately wanting to return to unfortunately. 'Sacrifice' is my fave on first listen (although the chorus melody is reminding me of something I can't place which is bugging me xx) so happy with that as what seems to be the single choice / biggest immediate hit from the album, hope it can contend for the top 10 - I see Swedish House Mafia co-produced both that and 'How Do I Make You Love Me?', liking both of those songs a good deal more than 'Moth To A Flame'! (Not that I don't like that but I did want more from the combo of SHM and The Weeknd, these two songs definitely delivering better on that front). Could see 'Less Than Zero' being a contender to overtake it as my fave with more listens though in a similar way to what 'Save Your Tears' did for me from the last album. (look at me actually listening to an album the day it was released instead of 2-3 weeks later, new year new me etc.)
January 8, 20223 yr I mean, 'Every Angel Is Terrifying' is still 2:47 in length, it doesn't really feel like an interlude. I guess spoken word segments in songs really work for me and they're suitably frantic, though that production at the start is lush, true. I am thinking about going back to this far more than I have any previous Weeknd albums, particularly 'Out Of Time' and 'Sacrifice'. Maybe that's just because I noticed this released and decided to listen to it day 1 rather than forget about it until years later, maybe it's just the addition of a concept which always ensnares me, maybe it's the embracing of the synthwave sound, but I'm really enjoying what he's developed into after being unsure for ages. plus 'Take My Breath' was kinda new to me and I love what it's doing with headphones on.
January 8, 20223 yr I found this really quite boring on first listen. I can see myself returning to Less Than Zero by far the most often as it’s the only one that reaches the standard of the singles from the last album, probably followed by How Can I Make You Love Me (although production >>> basic lyrics), Sacrifice and maybe Don’t Break My Heart. It could have been soooooo much more and finding it difficult to believe it’s getting such good reviews
January 8, 20223 yr I've had time for a few listens now and I can safely say my highlights are Sacrifice, Out Of Time, Here We Go Again and Less Than Zero. Take My Breath is probably (?) still the best song here and works even better in its extended form, overall doesn't hit as many highs as After Hours but I don't really think it was trying to tbh. I do love how the whole concept ties together - all those details like the jingles and adverts, plus Jim Carrey brings something slightly creepy/atmospheric to the whole thing. I think I'll be returning to this a fair amount over the next few weeks!
January 8, 20223 yr This is kinda different to what I expected. Not in a bad way, it’s a good concept album and the flow between the tracks feels seamless and the radio type segments work as part of the listening experience too. It’s nice to see a difference in sound too it’s a different vibe to After Hours, I’ll see over the next few weeks what individual tracks begin to stand out.
January 8, 20223 yr I've listened to it twice now and I'm finding it has more replay value than 'After Hours' did for me. It's still nowhere near the heights of Beauty Behind the Madness & Starboy. Take My Breath is sounding better in the context of the album but I didn't really need the extended version. Lil Wayne is actually what took 'I Heard Your Married' from a decent track to one of the highlights. I thought he fitted onto the song perfectly.
January 8, 20223 yr It could have been soooooo much more and finding it difficult to believe it’s getting such good reviews Yep, considering how critics loathed Swedish House Mafia ten years ago. Suddenly they are the hottest producers out there? Max Martin doesn't shine here either imo.
January 8, 20223 yr You can make a pretty great 80s Weeknd playlist now though... I've opted for: 01 Dawn FM 02 How Can I Make You Love Me 03 Take My Breath (album version) 04 Sacrifice 05 Secrets 06 Odd Look 07 Blinding Lights 08 Save Your Tears 09 Every Angel is Terrifying 10 Don't Break My Heart 11 In Your Eyes 12 After Hours (Blaze Mix) 13 Rockin' 14 Moth to a Flame 15 Less Than Zero 16 Phantom Regret by Jim Can't really ever see me going back to anything from the new album that isn't in the above
January 8, 20223 yr This is disappointing and oddly boring? I like the concept and especially liked the idea of a filthy club record but there is absolutely no edge to it. It’s too cohesive — an odd complaint, but the production and lyrical themes just become too samey. It could have been so much more, which just annoys me. Someone send Abel to Berlin to try again x
January 8, 20223 yr Sacrifice sounds like a good choice of second single. I think Don’t Break My Heart could be pushed as a later single too perhaps. Less Than Zero sounds like the Summer smash of 2022 when I’m driving along the coast. B-)
January 8, 20223 yr After a few listens I like it but don't necessarily love it yet. The lyrics are very The Weeknd by numbers on the record as a whole and the production is about what we expected to. It's solid and I like the radio concept though. 'Gasoline' is the MASSIVE highlight for me - it's brilliantly bonkers.
January 8, 20223 yr Yep, considering how critics loathed Swedish House Mafia ten years ago. Suddenly they are the hottest producers out there? Max Martin doesn't shine here either imo. Totally agree about Max Martin's touch here. It kind of feels off, although the mixed production from a few super producers does actually flow really well. Honestly feels a bit like I am playing GTA: Vice City! Sacrafice is really fun, can see why they are going with that as the lead with the album. The two standouts for me are Gasoline and Less Than Zero. Gasoline really hits high with the production and vocal pitch, probably not a single choice but it's a really fun track. Less Than Zero to me is that one track which I could really see taking off - surely this has to be the next single!? Seems the song that could really bounce off streaming platforms and TikTok. And certainly has the most memorable chorus and hook from the whole album imo. This is the one track where I do think Max Martin really shines through.
January 9, 20223 yr You can make a pretty great 80s Weeknd playlist now though... I've opted for: 01 Dawn FM 02 How Can I Make You Love Me 03 Take My Breath (album version) 04 Sacrifice 05 Secrets 06 Odd Look 07 Blinding Lights 08 Save Your Tears 09 Every Angel is Terrifying 10 Don't Break My Heart 11 In Your Eyes 12 After Hours (Blaze Mix) 13 Rockin' 14 Moth to a Flame 15 Less Than Zero 16 Phantom Regret by Jim Can't really ever see me going back to anything from the new album that isn't in the above Gasoline snubbed
January 9, 20223 yr Yep not feeling it like everyone else seems to be I'm shocked at that to be honest! Is it the vocals for the first third of the track? It's such a highlight. Totally agree with loads of people that it is good at the start, good at the end but gets lost a bit in the middle. I thought After Hours was like this too.
January 9, 20223 yr I wasn't too sure what to make of those lower register / accented vocals at the start of 'Gasoline' tbf but I kind of got used to it after a while and the instrumental / more conventional vocal parts were more than enough to make up for it!
Create an account or sign in to comment