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9.0
79388
9.0 |
Exclaim
Proves that the Weeknd can thrive in the mainstream
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8.5
79367
8.5 |
The 405
If Abel has hit a peak conceptually by tackling his flaws, addictions and downfalls on Beauty Behind The Madness, where does he have to go?
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8.0
79398
8.0 |
The FT
His last album Kiss Land found the act slipping into shtick; Beauty Behind the Madness tightens it up again
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8.0
79411
8.0 |
Gig Soup
This album is the perfect way to break out of the underground R&B scene
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8.0
79491
8.0 |
Drowned In Sound
A glorious contradiction, then, one that can’t possibly satisfy all intended targets, but damned if it ain’t fascinating
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7.5
79336
7.5 |
A.V. Club
A crossover hit
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7.5
79334
7.5 |
Consequence Of Sound
There are well-executed moments of both fearless maximalism and soft restraint that work toward making this album cohesive
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7.5
79632
7.5 |
Beardfood
His angelic voice still almost masks his filthy words, the beats are still smooth as hell. Abel deserves stardom
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7.2
79402
7.2 |
Pitchfork
For newcomers, there's a whole world to explore, and on Beauty Behind the Madness it's richer and smarter than ever
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7.0
79333
7.0 |
Spin
The real star here is, as usual, his voice, tapping at the uppermost fragile glass of his register without quite breaking it
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7.0
79381
7.0 |
FasterLouder
We’re on our way to exploring what The Weeknd as a sonic idea sounds like as a mainstream pop artist – and it’s got a world of promise
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7.0
79386
7.0 |
The Music
Another sound effort from the Canadian
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7.0
79623
7.0 |
Rolling Stone
If the sound has widened and even brightened in spots, the Weeknd still rocks a serious Eeyore vibe for much of Beauty Behind the Madness
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6.9
79499
6.9 |
Earbuddy
Beauty Behind the Madness does enough right to earn the distinction of being the best The Weeknd album in four years
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6.7
79337
6.7 |
Pretty Much Amazing
As good as these songs are, their lyrical monotony can be punishing
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6.5
79578
6.5 |
Spectrum Culture
He’s not the pop star we need, but he’s the mightily bizarre artist we deserve
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6.5
79390
6.5 |
NME
Is this album the grand statement that marks Tesfaye’s unveiling as a pop star proper? Not quite
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6.0
79406
6.0 |
State
Two good but very disparate halves
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6.0
79353
6.0 |
The Observer
The album's killer first half takes The Weeknd's cold, aestheticised amorality to new musical heights
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6.0
79332
6.0 |
PopMatters
Tesfaye still very much wants to remain true to himself while simultaneously capturing the pop zeitgeist
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6.0
79335
6.0 |
NOW
The poppier musical strategy perfectly suits his boyish vocals, and he sounds more open and less pretentious than ever before
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6.0
79646
6.0 |
The Independent
Beauty Behind the Madness leaves one feeling just as estranged from Abel Tesfaye’s depraved character as previous releases boasting less adhesive tunes
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6.0
80094
6.0 |
Clash
Many fans will still be happy with the change that 'Beauty Behind The Madness' has brought but some will surely feel the album has nothing to offer except immediate accessibility for the short attention of the mainstream
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5.0
79447
5.0 |
The Line Of Best Fit
Abel is evidently very good at making big ubiquitous pop hits. He remains, however, incapable of seeing or writing outside of himself
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