For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I embarked on a musical journey to the Land of Maple Syrup, a nickname for Canada due to its significant maple syrup production. I revisited a pivotal moment in The Weeknd’s career with his major label debut, ‘Kiss Land.’ This album marked a significant transition for The Weeknd, following the success of his 2011 mixtapes’ House of Balloons,’ ‘Thursday,’ and ‘Echoes of Silence,’ and the subsequent compilation album ‘Trilogy.’ ‘Kiss Land’ was his first studio album, a testament to his growth and evolution as an artist, and it was released on September 10, 2013.
Perhaps it was a bit of skepticism in my blood, but when The Weeknd initially made his debut, I held no qualms that I wasn’t the biggest fan of The Weekend’s vocal style. So many journalists claimed that he was the future of R&B and put him in the same stratosphere as Prince; I couldn’t help but grimace. However, he does talent, and since his debut, he has made a few songs I like. So, as I did eleven years ago, I went in with an open mind. The album’s titular song served as the lead single. It is characterized by implementing a compare-and-contrast literary style, a technique where two opposing ideas are juxtaposed to highlight their differences. This style was utilized to symbolize the artist’s apprehensions and concerns about the effects of fame and the rigors of touring. The Weeknd intended to present an artistic rendition of their fears and anxieties through music.
The Weeknd kept with the Alternative R&B and dark wave motifs, a blend of alternative rock and R&B with dark, atmospheric sounds, for the second single, ‘Belong to the world,’ about falling in love with the wrong person. While the third single, ‘Love in the Sky,’ touched on themes of escape, adventure, and the search for love. Things picked up for me with the fourth single, the Drake-assisted ‘Live For,’ which explores a hedonistic lifestyle and the pursuit of personal fulfillment amid fame and success. The duo successfully delves into themes of rebellion, self-indulgence, and the pursuit of pleasure with a disregard for societal norms and expectations.
I revisited the album 11 years later and didn’t get bored listening. Nevertheless, the album must still be more ambitious for a major label debut. To balance the project, I anticipated a more polished sound and radio-friendly tracks produced by fellow Canadian Boi-1da. I’m all for creative control and an artist staying true to themselves. But with The Weeknd being backed by Drake, I expected a more potent major label debut, and this isn’t it.
Final Grade: C
“Kiss Land” is available on all streaming platforms.
Director David Tedeschi collaborates with esteemed producer Martin Scorsese to examine the significant impact of The Beatles’ inaugural visit to the United States in the documentary “Beatles ’64,” available on Disney+.
Director Nate Edwards transitions from short films to narrative features with the compelling black love story “She Taught Love,” available on Hulu. Darrell Britt-Gibson, who also occupies the leading role, authored the screenplay.
Director and writer Coralie Fargeat has partnered with the esteemed actress Demi Moore for her second feature film, “The Substance,” which has been released by Mubi.