On first listen this album is really really good. I've liked a lot of the Weeknd but he has some times left me cold. His music can be very impersonal and purposefully heartless (its a theme in a lot of his songs).

I really started to appreciate him though with the video series from that last album. It was so twisted and freakish, made me realize there was some serious stuff going on under the surface.

He has been tinkering with this synth 80s sounds for some time but I think he figured it out how to do it beyond novelty and pastiche and has real heart.

I use to think he was a bit too derivative of MJJ, but he has definitely broken free of that with this album. Its fitting he is wearing old man makeup on the cover because this is definitely a more mature album. He even indirectly addresses his previous coldness with the Quincy Jones (I'm guessing) interlude. That “I Want To Thank You” sample on “Sacrifice”, chef's kiss.

Can't wait to listen to a bunch more times.



**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"