It's been just over five years since Abel Tesfaye released his debut mixtape House of Balloons. The influential release didn't just set the stage for the career of one of pop's most iconic modern voices. It altered the landscape of modern music, period. Ever since HoB there have been a number of artists who borrow something from The Weeknd's style, and it's a case of "often imitated, never duplicated," as the Toronto singer remains at the top of the game he created.
As The Weeknd's sophomore major label full-length Beauty Behind the Madness continues to thrive on the Billboard charts and send the singer to headline massive shows around the world, let's not forget where he came from. There was once a time where Abel was semi-anonymously making moody R&B without a lick of fame, and then there were the in-between times when he was being tapped for help from the likes of Drake, Wiz Khalifa, and Juicy J. Let's throw it back to some of his older cuts, shall we?
"Wicked Games"
The House of Balloons project was raw and unfiltered both stylistically and lyrically. Before Abel was taking stabs at the Billboard charts, he was constructing an innovative R&B sound and writing raunchy lyrics that helped to propel him to the top. Exhibit A: "Wicked Games."
"Bring your love baby I could bring my shame
Bring the drugs baby I could bring my pain
I got my heart right here
I got my scars right here
Bring the cups baby I could bring the drink
Bring your body baby I could bring you fame
And that's my motherfucking words too
Just let me motherfucking love you"
"Loft Music"
"They say my brain meltin' and the only thing I'll tell 'em is I'm livin' for the present and the future don't exist," Abel begins on the Beach House-sampling "Loft Music." The warbly R&B track is equal parts dark, sexy, and ignorant, in a rave-all-night collegiate kind of way.
"The Birds (Part 2)"
Slowed down to a near-standstill, "The Birds (Part 2)" hints at the big, arena-filling sound that Abel current running with. It isn't as tailored for pop radio, but it's easy to see how the same guy who was once making songs like this is now selling out Madison Square Garden.
"Rolling Stone"
After The Weeknd signed with Universal, we started seeing simple little visuals like this one. They helped to introduce Abel to the world, physically speaking. As he croons the words to "Rolling Stone," the black-and-white visuals accentuate intimacy of the man's words.
"Montreal"
Abel hails from Toronto, but this one's about the largest city in Quebec. He made Echoes of Silence while in Montreal, and as he flexes his French, you can feel the city's vibe creep into every note.
"Next"
Another cut off Echoes of Silence, "Next" almost enters ballad territory. Abel's voice is clearer than ever -- it is the main focus of the track. The chorus is melodically layered and carefully calculated to stay in your head all night long, so listen with caution.
Drake - "Crew Love" featuring The Weeknd
It's kind of a shame that The Weeknd and Drake's OVOXO collaborations didn't last too long. Together they share a lot of stylistic tendencies, with just enough differences to each stand out on the same track. "Crew Love" was on Drake's Take Care album, but it definitely sounds like more of a Weeknd track (as did a few other songs on that album).
"High For This"
If someone mentions The Weeknd, this should be the first song you think of. It truly kicked off his career-- the first song on his first mixtape, taking you deep into his drug-addled world, but not without an ear-curdling noise first. Abel's silky vocals were backed by hollow bass as he readied us for the trip that would follow on HoB.
"D.D"
The Weeknd has dealt with Michael Jackson vocal comparisons through out his career, but this is one of the few times it was probably purposeful. He truly emulates MJ on this record, while still keeping the trademark Weeknd vibe, meaning, you can totally get fucked up to this song, or use it to seduce your lover. It's a modern approach to a classic record.
"Initiation"
"Initiation" is one of The Weeknd's darkest tracks, and that's saying something, considering just how dark most of his material is. It's a a quickly-changing record, that'll have your head spinning. Chopped and screwed vocals reach various decibels (both high and low), while a sprawling and hi-hat-riddled backdrop from Abel's frequent collaborators Illangelo and DropxLife adds to the moody sound. Ride it out.