The Weeknd

'Beauty Behind the Madness' (album sampler)

BY Alex HudsonPublished Aug 21, 2015

A week from today, on August 28, noir&B megastar the Weeknd will release his album Beauty Behind the Madness via XO/Republic. To tide us over until then, the Toronto singer born Abel Tesfaye has shared an 18-minute mix containing snippets of all of the songs on the album.

This collage reinforces the impression that the Weeknd has stripped back some of the depraved mystery that has characterized his music to date. His jet-black soul style has now been combined with slick, widescreen electro-pop, with booming beats and hooks aplenty. There's still plenty of his signature hedonism, but there are also some moments of romance and invigorating danceability that recall Michael Jackson.

Check out the official "Leak" of Beauty Behind the Madness below, and see the schedule for "The Madness Fall Tour" here.

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