Review:
Canadian artist The Weeknd (singer/producer Abel Tesfaye) exploded onto the
R&B/pop scene in 2011 releasing three brilliant mixtapes: House of Balloons
(probably the best album of 2011), Thursday
and Echoes
of Silence. Trilogy represents all three tapes plus three new bonus tracks
combined and remastered.
If you followed music in 2011 (and
are a fan of pop and/or R&B), you probably have already downloaded the
three mixtapes for free from The Weeknd’s website (though, now they are no
longer available there), or at least you should have. If you have, then Trilogy
might not be necessary aside from the three bonus tracks, which are all good.
The remasted mixtapes sound great, but are slightly different in some places as
unlicensed samples (like Aaliyah’s Rock the Boat) have been
dropped.
However, if you do not have The
Weeknd’s three mixtapes then Trilogy is an absolute must-have. Meant as a
trilogy, the three tapes make up a story about a somewhat tragic lifestyle of
partying and then self-loathing in the wake of coming down. Trilogy’s complete
three hours takes the listener on an emotionally taxing sonic journey, ripe
with numb sadness, adulation, debauchery, and emotional release.
Musically, Trilogy is incredible.
The Weeknd primarily works with Canadian producers Doc McKinney and Illangelo
crafting a dense sonic experience. Drake and Juicy J (somewhat randomly) are
the only featured artists.
The Weeknd (building off
The-Dream’s sound a bit) was the breakthrough artist of 2011 (and probably the
best artist of 2011 too). Trilogy is a brilliant work of art. 5/5
Essential Tracks:
