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The Weeknd is a Toronto-based R&B collaboration between vocalist Abel Tesfaye and producer Jeremy Rose. Songs recorded under The Weeknd name first leaked in early 2011, though the identities of the individuals involved in the project were initially unknown. The collective released a nine-song mixtape, House of Balloons, on March 21.

House of Balloons (2011-present)

In late 2010, The Weeknd uploaded three songs - "What You Need", "Loft Music" and "The Morning" - to YouTube. A nine-track mixtape titled House of Balloons was digitally released on March 21 through the act's official website. Hip-hop artist Drake has been partly credited for generating public awareness for The Weeknd, after he quoted a line from their track "Wicked Game" via Twitter and linked to their music on his website. In a review of the House of Balloons mixtape, Pitchfork Media's Joe Colly wrote that "all the thematic and sonic pieces fit together - these weird, morning-after tales of lust, hurt, and over-indulgence ... are matched by this incredibly lush, downcast music. It's hard to think of a record since probably the xx's debut ... that so fully embodies such a specific nocturnal quality." Tom Ewing of The Guardian said that although the singing and songwriting on House of Balloons "aren't especially strong by R&B standards," the Weeknd is receiving "so much attention" as a result of its "command of mood." Sean Fennessey of The Village Voice called the mixtape "impressive" and added: "It's patient, often gorgeous, and consistently louche ... with the sort of blown-out underbelly and echo-laden crooning that has already made Drake's less-than-a-year-old Thank Me Later such an influential guidepost." Maegan McGregor of Exclaim! praised the mixtape: "Packed full of sex, drugs and some downright killer production, this easily stands as one of the year's best debuts so far, hipster, Top 40 or otherwise." Sputnik Music's Tyler Fisher said that "despite being a free mixtape, House of Balloons feels like a true album, a true labor of love." The title track samples Siouxsie and the Banshees' 1980 single "Happy House".

Discography

Mixtapes

References

1. ^ Colly, Joe (2011-03-29). "Album Reviews - The Weeknd - House of Balloons". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
2. Marrack, Peter (2011-03-25). "R&B Group The Weeknd Drop Tape & Talk Drake Affiliations". Yo Raps. Retrieved 2011-03-29. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
3. Fitzmaurice, Larry (2011-03-04). "The Playlist - The Weeknd - What You Need". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
4. Stewart, Allison (2011-03-14). "Singles File: Da Phuture, The Weeknd, Fever Ray". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2011-03-29. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
5. Caramanica, Jon (2010-12-31). "Screams That Charmed, and Other Overlooked Highlights". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-03-29. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
6. ^ Ramirez, Erika (2011-03-21). "Say Hello To The Weeknd, Drake Co-Signs". MTV. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
7. Escobedo Shepherd, Julianne (2011-03-23). "Love and Other Drugs: The Weeknd's Altered-State R&B". WNET. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
8. Ewing, Tom (2011-03-24). "The Weeknd's VIP Area Exposé Was Made for the Indie Crowd". The Guardian. Retrieved 2011-03-29. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
9. Fennessey, Sean (2011-03-23). "Love vs. Money: The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, and R&B's Future Shock". The Village Voice. Retrieved 2011-03-29. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
10. McGregor, Maegan (2011-03-28). "Get the Latest from the Weeknd, Teenage Kicks, TV on the Radio and More in This Week's Click Hear Roundup". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2011-03-29. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
11. Fisher, Tyler (2011-03-25). "Staff Review - The Weeknd - House Of Balloons". Sputnik Music. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
12. Neyland, Nick (2011-03-23). "The Playlist - The Weeknd - "House of Balloons"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2011-03-29.

External links

• Official website

• 2010s music groups
• Musical duos
• Canadian musical groups
• Musical groups from Toronto