Dec 22, 2011

Echoes Of Silence *Review'd*

His third mixtape may be more experimental and different than his previous two. On Twitter, Abel stated, "I hope they don't hang me for my decisions on Echoes of Silence"





D.D begins with smooth harmonies and a high pitched sample in the background. Nobody could ever begin to prepare for what comes next. A different Weeknd approaches the mic and immediately resembles a young Mike Jack. Sure enough by the chorus we come to find out that D.D stands for none other than Dirty Diana, a Michael Jackson classic. The Weeknd suprisingly accomplishes his portrayal of the late Michael. Amazing way to start off your record kid. 

Next song, Montreal opens with more homeade harmonies from Abel. The drums hit and a filtered sounding Weeknd sings about what Montreal means to him. This headbanger get's you moving either in the bedroom or on the dance floor. One way or another it's going down, basement. Interesting sounds make up the next track. Almost like an 80's kung fu movie. Mandolin plucks and flutes make up the beat accompanied by the modern sounds of The Weeknd's drum kit. 

Outside has Abel almost crying about a woman in his life. I believe he started the emo grunge sound last year when he released House Of Balloons. Nobody knew what to do with it, but listen and love it. 

XO / The Host is my favorite track up to this point. I'm sensing a mixture of sounds from his previous tracks, The Zone and Loft Music from House Of Balloons. Throughout the song Abel sing-raps about the infamous XO that their crew reps. XO interludes by slowing up the beat and transitioning into The Host, which is The Weeknd

Initiation was leaked by Abel himself a couple months ago. Still such a dope experimental track. Interesting how they engineered the pitch to frequently go up and down. The lyrics depict his more private sessions with girls I think. 

Same Old Song is not the same old sound. Again they include some sort of mandolin plucking sound. It really goes nice with the album. There is honestly nothing bad I could say about this album. In less than a yearThe Weeknd managed to complete 3 hall of fame records to begin his career and end 2011. Here's a clue about the song. The same old song means the same old girl. ;) 

The Fall begins with The Weeknd's signature adlibs. He borrows influence from Drake periodically, vise versa though. Mid song you sense this when he raps. "my cup full of Texas, flowin' on that OVO jet yeah I said it, was forced to be reckless was forced to make records so you don't gotta ask who's next." Abel get's cocky with it, and shows why he is #1 in R&B, Indie, Emo-Pop, and any other genre you can think of. Ok now I myself am getting carried away. The producer flips the beat a bit at the end of the song. 

Next is Next. This song has hints of MJ inspiration. although the song sounds uptempo, the vibe is more emotional. "You just want me cause I'm next..." goes the chorus. The story about a woman in love with Abel solely because he is #NEXTINSHOW. After this emotional rollercoaster starts to settle, a mellow piano riff closes the song. The title track 


Echoes Of Silence blends well with the previous track. The song has been stripped down to just a piano and his 'emocals'(trademarked). This could be a personal message to a special woman in his life or maybe for all women in general.

Thus concludes the three-part trip that is TheWeeknd 2011. This album is amazing and can't wait to hear what you have in store for everyone in 2012. End of the World Music?

Rare Performance



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