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Trilogy (The Weeknd album)

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Untitled

Trilogy is a compilation album[3] by Canadian recording artist The Weeknd, released on November 9, 2012, by Republic Records. It is his first release on a major record label after having signed to the label in September 2012.[4][5] The album compiles remastered versions of The Weeknd's 2011 series of mixtapes—House of Balloons, Thursday and Echoes of Silence—that he originally released as free downloads online, along with three previously unreleased songs.

Upon its release, Trilogy received generally positive reviews from music critics, who reinforced the previous acclaim of the mixtapes, although some found it indulgent. It was promoted with two singles and The Weeknd's concert tour during September to November 2012. The album charted at number five and number four in Canada and the United States, respectively. Trilogy was certified gold in both countries and, as of December 9, 2012, has sold 145,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Background

During 2011, The Weeknd released a series of mixtapes—House of Balloons, Thursday and Echoes of Silence—[4] and garnered both critical acclaim and a growing fan base.[6] The mixtapes were principally recorded with producers Doc McKinney and Illangelo,[7] at Dream House and Site Sound Studios in Toronto; additional sessions took place at Sterling Road Studios.[8] The Weeknd released the mixtapes online as free digital downloads.[4]

In September 2012, The Weeknd signed with Republic Records in a joint venture with his own imprint label XO.[5] The mixtapes were subsequently remastered and compiled for Trilogy, along with three previously unreleased songs,[6] which were recorded at Liberty Studios in Toronto.[8] "Twenty Eight", "Valerie", and "Til Dawn (Here Comes the Sun)" were included as bonus tracks at the end of each of the compilation's discs.[9]

To re-release the mixtapes' music for retail, The Weeknd had to obtain clearance from the recording artists he had originally sampled for certain songs, including Beach House for "The Party & the After Party" and Siouxsie and the Banshees on "House of Balloons / Glass Table Girls"; the sample of Aaliyah's "Rock the Boat" on "What You Need" was excluded from Trilogy.[5]

Promotion

A video accompanying the track "Rolling Stone" was released on October 3, 2012, to promote the album's release.[10] The Weeknd previewed the album at a listening party in New York City on October 24. It was his first major media event.[11]

The album's lead single "Wicked Games" was released on October 22, 2012.[12] It charted at number 60 on the Canadian Hot 100, and in the United States, it reached number 73 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 17 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[13] The second single "Twenty Eight" was released on November 13.[14] The Weeknd toured in support of Trilogy during September to November 2012.[5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[15]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[16]
Fact[17]
The Guardian[18]
Mojo[19]
The Observer[20]
Pitchfork Media8.5/10[21]
Rolling Stone[22]
Uncut[23]
Time Out[3]

Trilogy received generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 79, based on 18 reviews.[24] John Calvert of Fact dubbed it "an r'n'b album with few equals in terms of narrational ambition".[17] Oliver Keens of Time Out wrote that The Weeknd "communicates" his character "so engagingly on Trilogy" and found him "riveting when he juxtaposes debauchery with a delivery that finds him numb and on the verge of tears".[3] Killian Fox of The Observer felt that the mixtapes' "production sounded great to start with" and that the "new material is unexceptional", but ultimately stated, "if you didn't pick up the mixtapes when they were going free, and can handle 160 minutes of beautifully crafted nihilism, this is an essential buy."[20] Although he found the new songs "arbitrary in terms of sequencing", Pitchfork Media's Ian Cohen cited the compilation as "some of the best music of the young decade; judging by its already pervasive influence, it's safe to say Trilogy (or at least House of Balloons) will be one of those records that will be viewed as a turning point when we look at the 2010s as a whole."[21]

In a mixed review, Allmusic's Andy Kellman felt that, despite moments when he is "distinctively gripping," The Weeknd lacks "restraint, as he is prone to repetitious whining that is more young boy than young Keith Sweat". Kellman wrote that "now that he's with a label, he'll hopefully get some kind of filter that enables him to fulfill the promise heard in these 160 minutes of one-dimensional, occasionally exhilarating overindulgence ... His potential is as obvious as his lyrics are toxic."[15] Kevin Ritchie of Now found the music "impressive", but found the "lyrical ambivalence" to be "a bit one-note" by the album's second hour.[25] Although he found its "excess oppressive" when listened to in its entirety, Drowned in Sound's Robert Leedlum deemed Trilogy to be "untouchable" as a "comprehensive document of a specific moment in time".[26] Paul MacInnes of The Guardian wrote that its three discs "offer a rough trajectory of party, after-party and hangover, through which an assertive voice gives way to one that sounds more troubled", and concluded, "Trilogy does remove some of the Weeknd's mystique – lyrical formulae become apparent, and examples of engaging melody recede as the collection advances. Whatever its limits, however, Trilogy remains a striking piece of work."[18]

Commercial performance

Trilogy charted at number five on the Canadian Albums Chart.[27] In the United States, it debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 86,000 copies.[28] As of December 9, 2012, the album has sold 145,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.[29] On December 17, it was certified gold by Music Canada, for shipments of 40,000 copies in Canada.[30] On December 19, Trilogy was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), having shipped 500,000 copies in the US.[31]

Track listing

Disc one: House of Balloons
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."High for This"Abel Tesfaye, Adrien Gough, Henry WalterDream Machine4:07
2."What You Need"Tesfaye, Jeremy RoseJeremy Rose, The Weeknd3:16
3."House of Balloons / Glass Table Girls"Tesfaye, Martin McKinney, Carlo Montagnese, Susan Ballion, Peter Clarkex, John Martin, Steven SeverinDoc McKinney, Illangelo6:47
4."The Morning"Tesfaye, McKinney, MontagneseDoc McKinney, Illangelo5:15
5."Wicked Games"Tesfaye, McKinney, Montagnese, R. Millar BlancheurDoc McKinney, Illangelo5:24
6."The Party & The After Party"Tesfaye, Rose, Millar Blanchaer, Victoria Legrand, Alex ScallyJeremy Rose, The Weeknd, Rainer7:39
7."Coming Down"Tesfaye, McKinney, MontagneseDoc McKinney, Illangelo4:55
8."Loft Music"Tesfaye, Rose, Legrand, ScallyJeremy Rose, The Weeknd6:04
9."The Knowing"Tesfaye, McKinney, Montagnese, Elizabeth Fraser, Robin Guthrie, Simon RaymmondeDoc McKinney, Illangelo5:41
10."Twenty Eight" (bonus track)Tesfaye, McKinney, MontagneseDoc McKinney, Illangelo4:18
Disc two: Thursday
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Lonely Star"Tesfaye, McKinney, MontagneseDoc McKinney, Illangelo5:49
2."Life of the Party"Tesfaye, McKinney, Montagnese, Bergrund Grier, Berghe Pontus, Vincent ReillyDoc McKinney, Illangelo4:57
3."Thursday"Tesfaye, McKinney, MontagneseDoc McKinney, Illangelo5:19
4."The Zone" (featuring Drake)Aubrey Graham, Tesfaye, McKinney, MontagneseDoc McKinney, Illangelo6:58
5."The Birds Part 1"Tesfaye, McKinney, MontagneseDoc McKinney, Illangelo3:34
6."The Birds Part 2"Tesfaye, McKinney, Montagnese, Martina Topley-Bird, Alex McGowen, Nick Bird, Steve CrittalDoc McKinney, Illangelo5:50
7."Gone"Tesfaye, McKinney, MontagneseDoc McKinney, Illangelo8:07
8."Rolling Stone"Tesfaye, McKinney, MontagneseDoc McKinney, Illangelo3:50
9."Heaven or Las Vegas"Tesfaye, McKinney, MontagneseDoc McKinney, Illangelo5:53
10."Valerie" (bonus track)Tesfaye, McKinney, MontagneseDoc McKinney, Illangelo4:46
Disc three: Echoes of Silence
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."D.D."Michael JacksonIllangelo4:35
2."Montréal"Tesfaye, Montagnese, France GallIllangelo4:10
3."Outside"Tesfaye, Montagnese, Ahmad Balshe, Madeline Follin, Ryan MattosIllangelo4:20
4."XO / The Host"Tesfaye, MontagneseIllangelo7:23
5."Initiation"Tesfaye, Martin Wong, Montagnese, Georgia Anne MuldrowDROPXLIFE, Illangelo4:20
6."Same Old Song" (featuring Juicy J)Tesfaye, Montagnese, Jordan HoustonIllangelo5:12
7."The Fall"Tesfaye, Mike Volpe, MontagneseClams Casino, Illangelo5:45
8."Next"Tesfaye, Montagnese, WongIllangelo6:00
9."Echoes of Silence"Tesfaye, MontagneseIllangelo4:02
10."Till Dawn (Here Comes the Sun)" (bonus track)Tesfaye, McKinney, MontagneseDoc McKinney, Illangelo5:19
iTunes edition[32]
No.TitleLength
11."The Zone (Closed-Captioned)" (music video)5:16
Sample credits[8]
  • "House of Balloons / Glass Table Girls" contains a sample of "Happy House" by Siouxsie and the Banshees.
  • "The Party & the After Party" contains a sample of "Master of None" by Beach House.
  • "Loft Music" contains a sample of "Gila" by Beach House.
  • "The Knowing" contains a sample of "Cherry Coloured Funk" by Cocteau Twins.
  • "Life of the Party" contains elements of "Drugs in My Body".
  • "The Birds Pt. 2" contains elements of "Sandpaper Kisses".
  • "Montreal" contains elements of "Laisse Tomber Les Filles".
  • "Outside" contains elements of "Go Outside".
  • "Initiation" contains a sample of "Patience" by Georgia Anne Muldrow.

Personnel

Credits for Trilogy adapted from liner notes.[8]

Charts

Chart (2012) Peak
position
Australia Urban Albums Chart (ARIA) 14
Belgian Albums Chart (Flanders)[33] 60
Canadian Albums Chart[27] 5
Danish Albums Chart[33] 22
Dutch Albums Chart[33] 48
French Albums Chart[33] 128
German Albums Chart[33] 90
Swiss Albums Chart[33] 58
UK Albums Chart[34] 37
US Billboard 200[27] 4
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[27] 1

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[30] Gold 40,000^
United States (RIAA)[31] Gold 500,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Label Format
Australia[35] November 9, 2012 Republic Records CD
Germany[36]
United Kingdom[37][38] November 12, 2012 Island Records, Digital Distribution Turkey CD, digital download
Canada[39][40] November 13, 2012 Universal Music Group, XO&co
United States[41][42] Republic

See also

References

  1. ^ Martins, Chris (September 12, 2012). "The Weeknd's PBR&B Archive 'Trilogy' Gets Official Release". Spin. New York. Archived from the original on November 12, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2012. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "Trilogy - : Release Information, Reviews and Credits". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  3. ^ a b c Keens, Oliver (2012). "The Weeknd – 'Trilogy' album review". Time Out. London. Retrieved November 12, 2012. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  4. ^ a b c Wood, Mikael (November 7, 2012). "First listen: The Weeknd's deceptively lovely new songs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  5. ^ a b c d Hampp, Andrew (November 12, 2012). "The Weeknd & Reps Talk Clearing Samples, Touring For 'Trilogy' Release". Billboard. New York. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  6. ^ a b Kellman, Andy. "The Weeknd - Music Biography, Credits and Discography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  7. ^ Gill, Andy (November 10, 2012). "Album: The Weeknd, Trilogy (Universal Republic)". The Independent. London. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d Trilogy (CD liner). Republic Records. 2012. {{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter |artist= ignored (|others= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |publisherid= ignored (help)
  9. ^ Aspray, Benjamin (November 19, 2012). "The Weeknd: Trilogy". PopMatters. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  10. ^ Alexis, Nadeska. "The Weeknd Releases 'Rolling Stone' Video, Trilogy Cover Art". MTV. Retrieved October 19, 2012.
  11. ^ Krishnamurthy, Sowmya (October 25, 2012). "The Weeknd Previews Three-Disc Trilogy". Rolling Stone. New York. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  12. ^ "Wicked Games [Explicit]". Amazon.com. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  13. ^ "Wicked Games - The Weeknd". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  14. ^ "Twenty Eight - Single". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  15. ^ a b Kellman, Andy. "Trilogy - The Weeknd". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  16. ^ Rahman, Ray (November 23, 2012). "Review: Trilogy". Entertainment Weekly. New York: 70. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  17. ^ a b Calvert, John (November 27, 2012). "Trilogy". Fact. London. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  18. ^ a b MacInnes, Paul (November 15, 2012). "The Weeknd: Trilogy – review". The Guardian. London. section G2, p. 23. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  19. ^ "Review: Trilogy". Mojo. London: 108. 2013. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  20. ^ a b Fox, Killian (November 10, 2012). "The Weeknd: Trilogy – review". The Observer. London. The New Review section, p. 29. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  21. ^ a b Cohen, Ian (November 13, 2012). "The Weeknd: The Trilogy". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  22. ^ Johnston, Maura (November 19, 2012). "The Trilogy". Rolling Stone. New York. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  23. ^ "Review: Trilogy". Uncut. London. 2013. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  24. ^ "Trilogy Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  25. ^ Ritchie, Kevin (November 13, 2012). "The Weeknd - Trilogy". Now. Toronto. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  26. ^ Leedlum, Robert (November 14, 2012). "The Weeknd - Trilogy". Drowned in Sound. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  27. ^ a b c d "Trilogy - The Weeknd". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  28. ^ Caulfield, Keith (November 21, 2012). "One Direction Tops Billboard 200 Chart, 'Twilight' Debuts at No. 3". Billboard. Los Angeles. Retrieved November 21, 2012. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ Paine, Jake (December 12, 2012). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 12/9/2012". HipHop DX. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  30. ^ a b "Gold and Platinum Search". Music Canada. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  31. ^ a b "Gold & Platinum Searchable Database". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  32. ^ "Trilogy by The Weeknd". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  33. ^ a b c d e f "The Weeknd - Trilogy" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  34. ^ "2012-11-24 Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive". Official Charts Company. November 18, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  35. ^ "Buy Trilogy Weeknd, Alternative, CD". Sanity. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  36. ^ "Weeknd,The - Trilogy - CD" (in German). musicline.de. PHONONET GmbH. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  37. ^ "Weeknd: Trilogy: 3cd (2012): CD". HMV. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  38. ^ "Trilogy (Explicit Version) (2012)". 7digital. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  39. ^ "Trilogy : 3cd by Weeknd". hmv.ca. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  40. ^ "Trilogy (Explicit Version) by The Weeknd". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  41. ^ "Trilogy (Explicit): The Weeknd". Amazon.com. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  42. ^ "Trilogy [Explicit]: The Weeknd: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
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