The Weeknd. AP
The Weeknd
Beauty Behind The Madness
Rating: 4/5
Right from the opening klaxon this third album from The Weeknd (real name Abel Tesfaye) signals its intention to blow you away.
Commonly referred to as hipster R&B or indie R&B, The Weeknd's sound borrows from artists such as Michael Jackson and Prince but he's also known for adventurous sampling choices and straying from mainstream R&B.
His songs tend to revolve around sex, sex and more sex and the language is not for the faint-hearted.
However, the songs are otherwise all class. Earned It, also from the 50 Shades of Grey soundtrack, is a slow-strutting, sultry waltz of a number, while the more uptempo Can't Feel My Face channels Jacko.
The 80s electropop of In The Night sounds like a modern day Easy Lover while The Hills is dark and brooding.
But closing track Angel takes the cake, rounding out the madness with a slice of heavenly beauty - guest vocals from Maty Noyes are the high point of an album that also features the talents of Ed Sheeran and Lana Del Rey.
The Herald Travel’s Best Beach competition has hung up its jandals for another year.