Albums to watch

Beauty Behind the Madness

The Weeknd

Beauty Behind the Madness

Second studio album of alt-pop/r&b from Abel Tesfaye, featuring production/guest spots from Kanye West, Ed Sheeran, Labarinth and Lana Del Rey

ADM rating[?]

6.9

Label
Universal / Island
UK Release date
28/08/2015
US Release date
28/08/2015
  1. 9.0 |   Exclaim

    Proves that the Weeknd can thrive in the mainstream
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  2. 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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  3. 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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  4. 8.0 |   Gig Soup

    This album is the perfect way to break out of the underground R&B scene
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  5. 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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  6. 7.5 |   A.V. Club

    A crossover hit
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  7. 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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  8. 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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  9. 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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  10. 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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  11. 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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  12. 7.0 |   The Music

    Another sound effort from the Canadian
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  13. 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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  14. 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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  15. 6.7 |   Pretty Much Amazing

    As good as these songs are, their lyrical monotony can be punishing
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  16. 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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  17. 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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  18. 6.0 |   State

    Two good but very disparate halves
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  19. 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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  20. 6.0 |   PopMatters

    Tesfaye still very much wants to remain true to himself while simultaneously capturing the pop zeitgeist
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  21. 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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  22. 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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  23. 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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  24. 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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The Weeknd: Beauty Behind the Madness

  • Download full album for just £8.49
  • 1. Real Life £0.99
  • 2. Losers £0.99
  • 3. Tell Your Friends £0.99
  • 4. Often £0.99
  • 5. The Hills £0.99
  • 6. Acquainted £0.99
  • 7. Can't Feel My Face £0.99
  • 8. Shameless £0.99
  • 9. Earned It (Fifty Shades Of Grey) N/A
  • 10. In The Night £0.99
  • 11. As You Are £0.99
  • 12. Dark Times N/A
  • 13. Prisoner £0.99
  • 14. Angel £0.99
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