It’s been just over a year since Abel Tesfaye released ‘Beauty Behind the Madness’, the record that truly launched the Weeknd as a mainstream concern and exposed the masses to his brand of dark, moody alt-R&B. Its follow up has now arrived in short order, with the appropriate amount of hype. But ‘Starboy’ is a sizeable body of work that works hard to justify its lengthy running time.
The optimist in us says that with any record that offers a truckload of tracks, there’s a good chance that a few of them are worth listening to. And yes, ‘Starboy’ does deliver here.
There’s the title track - a collaboration with electro titans Daft Punk that’s been dominating the airwaves of late - and also the truly infectious Secrets, which pulls you in with a superbly subdued synth and funk undercurrent (Daft Punk aren’t credited on this particular song, though their influence is readily apparent). Tesfaye also gets unusually uptempo on the anarchic False Alarm, which is perhaps the record’s most unique and intriguing cut.
Unfortunately, though, ‘Starboy’ is very much a top-loaded piece. Second half blemishes Attention, Ordinary Life and Nothing Without You are all notable bumps in the road that derail the journey Tesfaye is clearly trying to take us on.
These dips are particularly grating as they might not be so bad if it weren’t for his refusal to grow out of some immature and insensitive tendencies. “She ain’t got time for loving...Louis Vuitton her husband,” he sings on Six Feet Under. “Heaven in her mouth, got a hell of a tongue,” runs Ordinary Life.
But at least the record ends on a high note with the Daft Punk-dominated I Feel It Coming, which offers a welcome palate cleanser, and, despite the album’s second half inconsistency, there’s no real bomb here. It comes close at times, but whether it’s Tesfaye’s honey-sweet soprano or the pristine production that permeates each track, there’s always something to ensure ‘Starboy’ stays on course.
It’s not always clear where Tesfaye wants you to go or what he wants you to see, but by the time you reach your destination, you’ll largely be glad to have gone along for the ride.
The Weeknd Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Sun March 05 2017 - MANCHESTER Arena
Tue March 07 2017 - LONDON O2 Arena
Wed March 08 2017 - LONDON O2 Arena
Fri March 10 2017 - GLASGOW SSE Hydro
Sat March 11 2017 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Metro Radio Arena
Mon March 13 2017 - BIRMINGHAM Barclaycard Arena
Tue March 14 2017 - LEEDS first direct Arena
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