Kiss Land
After the huge success of his *Trilogy* compilation, The Weeknd, a.k.a. Abel Tesfaye, picks apart the loneliness of his newfound fame on the fraught *Kiss Land*. The songs in his self-described “horror movie” flit between chilly electronics on “The Town,\" skewed sexual politics on the excellent, Portishead-sampling “Belong To the World,” and a pervading sense of ennui, which means that even the lighter moments—like the pop bounce of “Wanderlust” or the Drake-assisted crew anthem “Live For”—are cloaked in a compelling, unshakeable paranoia.
Following three mixtapes released in quick succession that contained some of the most influential and gripping R&B of the new decade, Abel Tesfaye's bleak and atmospheric project makes its major label debut.
Surrounded by façades and cutthroats, Abel Tesfaye cuts the figure of a lost man.
Lyrics like "I can't stand talking to brand new girls/Only bitches down to fuck when you shower them with ones," also from "Kiss Land," carry a deeper sense of realism.
The latest effort from the Weeknd is a mixed bag, but it can't be said that Abel Tesfaye is resting on his laurels.
Album review: One of the most anticipated LPs of 2013, Clash turns its attentions to The Weeknd's 'Kiss Land', his first 'proper' collection after 2011's mixtape trilogy...
<p>Abel Tesfaye's second major-label release finds him mixing MOR and R&B influences to seductive effect, writes <strong>Ally Carnwath</strong></p>
The Weeknd's 'Kiss Land' is a musically static album that’s also disturbingly backward on gender issues. Read our review.
Review Of "Kiss Land" By The Weekend by Northern transmissions. Abel Tesfaye AKA The Weeknd releases "Kiss Land" October 10th on Republic Records
There are some heartstopping moments on the Weeknd's new album, but some truly repellent ones, too, writes <strong>Ben Beaumont-Thomas</strong>