User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 442 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 409 out of 442
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Mixed: 15 out of 442
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Negative: 18 out of 442
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Aug 24, 2022Undoubtedly the Weeknd's best. Released for free by a then unknown Abel Tesfaye "house of baloons " captivated a sense 9f mystery that made the music richer sokehow. The music itself was astounding dark ,dare i say indie rnb. It set a standard for mislxtapes and aobums in general higlights: what you need,house of balloons &wicked games
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Jan 20, 2013Abel Tesfaye deserves to be on top of Billboard! On his first mixtape he serves us 9 tracks full with smart lyrics about drugs, sex and love and his celestial voice that impresses me everytime I hear it. It's mainly music for young people but in this sad and partly melancholic way, you don't see often. This mixtape is an artwork and one of my favorites of 2011.
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Jul 28, 2019A wild, innovative, daring, ambitious and brutally honest mixtape. This is a truly magnificent, creative piece of art that is driven by Weeknd's terrific lyrics, vocals and innovation. A classic in modern day R&B.
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Jan 10, 2012This album was classic great lyrics and great content when i heard about The Weeknd I thought he was bad but i was wrong he's the next big thing in R&B and music in general pay attention to him
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Apr 10, 2021this album is a 9 this album is a 9 this album is a 9 this album is a 9 this album is a 9
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Aug 9, 20168.5 eight point five
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Nov 6, 2017
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Sep 30, 2018The Weeknd esforçou-se no álbum "House Of Ballons" e conseguiu fazer um bom trabalho. Com letras que não se afastam do tema do sexo e das drogas, vocais doloridos e sonoridades sombrias, este álbum só agrada a quem compreende a visão estética do cantor. Uma ótima estreia para o mundo R&B!
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Apr 17, 2021*Before the song:*
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*After the song:*
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Nov 27, 2011This mixtape is really good. The Weeknd is the next big R&B star. This is the best mixtape this year. If he made this an album it would hav been one of the best album. This is a free download it worth downloading. You have nothing to lose.
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Mar 21, 2021I listened to this again today as the official release of it on streaming platforms. I loved it. It's literally his best mix tape and his debut single (What You Need) is one of my all time faves from him.
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Jul 19, 2011This album is. Amazing. I actually deleted ( available free ) but i had a separate copy which i started listening to again. Never has an album taken so long to get into but now its in my Top 10 along with Destroyer, Antlers, Whomadewho, Wild Beasts etc for 2011. Get into it. You won't regret it.
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Jul 8, 2011Though left-field experiments are evident, The Weeknd reaches a certain degree of commercial goodness in the likes of a Ne-Yo album. This is refereshing R&B that never denied its sound, unlike modern R&B artists that mash up with dance and pop. Definitely a must-hear.
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May 17, 2023high for this is one of the greatest intro tracks of all time only bested by dark fantasy and ta13oo
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Sep 28, 2011This mixtape/album is really damn good. Vocals and lyrics are emotive and thought provoking and the production hits between the lines of a commercial R&B sound and an ambient electronica feel. Oh, and it is also free to download. One of the best albums I've heard this year. And it's free.
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Dec 8, 2014
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Dec 22, 2012This album is beast. It is full to the brim with sex music that will make your ears orgasm to the point of feeling drunk or high. The Weeknd and his sweet falsetto is a breakthrough for new original artists like him and his music is explored but lies unexplored, which brings new listeners hope for Fresh, new music.
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Sep 3, 2022Sounds like a somewhat good pop hip hop album. Overall its one of his most well rounded albums.
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May 24, 2011
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Jul 9, 2011
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Jan 20, 2012
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Feb 24, 2013Pretty much the most refreshing listen I've had in a long time. Any occasion is a fine occasion to play this record. These songs are never out of place. Instant classic.
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Oct 30, 2021the growth in his music is amazing, and in this album he shows it again, the transitions that he makes when advancing each song is incredible, very well thought out of all those who put effort into this amazing album
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Jan 9, 2022dark and sad. thats it. i only wish Twenty Eight was on the original mixtape cuz its so good.
best tracks: The Morning and The Knowing
worst track: Loft Music
9.6/10 -
May 22, 2011
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Jun 21, 2013
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Sep 23, 2020I wish I had the opportunity to hear this masterpiece for the first time. Not one miss.
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Apr 19, 2012This album is about as good as R&B gets nowadays. Despite using cliche themes, The Weekend fuses this album into something worth listening to. Great vocals and instrumentation, but at times it gets bogged down by overly repetitive hooks.
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Jul 8, 2012
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Apr 15, 2011
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Apr 4, 2012Amazing! the best album 0f 2011! The weekend is ahead of his time! you must listen to this album, don't wait to long or you'll regret it. With many other albums you listen to now you really don't go back to them, but with this one I keep on listening to it over and over. CLASSIC!!!!!!
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Nov 17, 2011Absolutely outstanding. 'Album' of the year for me. Just amazingly unique. The dark, drug-fueled mood is set brilliantly by the wonderful production by illangelo and DocMckinney with Jeremy Rose and the astounding vocals by Abel.
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Dec 12, 2020BEST WORK FROM THE WEEKND BY FAR
HIS FIRST SOLO PROJECT AND BY FAR HIS BEST ONE
10/10 FOR SURE
MASTERPIECE
I OWN THE TWO LP'S VERSION VERY RECOMENDED -
Sep 4, 2021Simply phenomenal.His voice is something different but that is not just it.The story of this album makes you love it
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Apr 9, 2011Hard to believe that the backlash against this album is already happening (that smug smegma Alex Macpherson at the Guardian can take his elitist opinions on R & B and shove them up his mother's arse) . An assured and near-perfect debut. Don't be dissuaded by the contrarian douchebag haters.
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May 23, 2011
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May 15, 2012This has to be the one of the best albums I have ever heard. The style that I haven't heard blew me away. Very relaxing chill music to listen to. It calms be out and puts me in a very good mood. This is such a great album that I listen to every couple of days. Hopefully when he gets big he doesn't change up his style. I like his uniqueness and that is what I believe makes his music so special.
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Oct 16, 2011Truly, one of the most addictive album I've ever heard in years. I wouldn't even know how to categorize this whole album as because of how dark and stunning the samples are. Not only was his sound so beautiful but his voice also forced us to leave the pause button alone. This is 2011's Best Album of the Year.
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Mar 8, 2012This is an amazing debut for hopefully an amazing artist. If Abel can produce another album like this we will all be hearing about The Weeknd. The production on the album is like no other. When you listen to this mix tape you'll think its a real album that you bought.
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May 27, 2015First time listening to this type of music, and it's really good. Not disappointed at all and love this mixtape. The reason I gave it a 8 is the lyrics. some are basic, trashy, shallow and make me feel uncomfortable.
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Jul 27, 2020The weeknd first and best project He killed it in every song The production is amazing
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Feb 13, 2014I can rarely say this but every single song on this mix-tape is OUTSTANDING , usually when i listen to a mix-tape of someones i have to skip one or two songs but with house of balloons every song is amazing!
No skipping for me !!! -
Oct 30, 2017This is true quality. Nothing surpasses this. This is true perfection. I have listened to a lot of music in my time, a lot of it good, a lot of it bad. I can honestly say that this album has changed my life.
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Apr 8, 2020besides after hours, the weeknd’s magnum opus. the project that made him hit the ground running. i love this project and everything that made him what he is today sparked from it
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Jul 14, 2020This is Best The Weeknd's project. Much better than After hours. Lyrics are very good, production is excellent
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Oct 31, 2020every songs are a magical, he is so talented !! he create song that are so original and always listenable
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Mar 20, 2021My favorite project by Abel. Every song hits different and the whole album is an experience.
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Sep 3, 2021House Of Balloons, is undoubtedly one of the best projects that have ever been created referring to the R&B genre, Abel through these 9 songs reveals his most intimate secrets that happened in his residence in that distant 2011.
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Apr 15, 2011This is quality, one of the best things ive heard in ages. I cant quite work out why its so good, it just is and I cant stop listening to it. It kind of reminds me a bit of Massive Attack in their earlier days.... the Siouxie and the Banshees sample really works. Its quality, best album of 2011 so far for me.
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Jun 29, 2011Easily my favorite album so far in 2011. The beats, the vocals, everything works so well. Lyrically content is catchy, sometimes simple, but it works. I'm not much into R&B style, but this is by far my favorite album over any genre.
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Jul 13, 2011
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Sep 22, 2011For sure one of the best albums this year. I hope he gets a Grammy, or at lest gets nominated for one. Best tracks: House of Balloons/Glass Table Girls, Wicked Games
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Sep 24, 2011This is one of the best r&b albums in the last 5 years. he brings a experimental crossover vibe to the genre. It's a dark, drug-induced, love album.
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Jan 28, 2012
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Jul 23, 2019Incredible experimental masterpiece which revolutionized and changed the game for R&B and created a new genre. This project explored themes of nihilism and how Abel fills the void inside him with pointless sex and one night stands and stood apart from the rest of the game
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Jul 24, 2020Honestly the album could just get a 10 because of Wicked Games and House Of Balloons/Glass Table Girls but every song on this album is amazing! Whether you’re belting out High For This, or in your feels listening to Twenty Eight, or getting cocky listening to What You Need, you’ll enjoy the ride and the vocals that guide you along.
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Aug 28, 2020I love this mixtape it’s not an album but they are on his first album called trilogy
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Oct 26, 2020One of the best mixtape I have ever heard in my life. Its very unique even though its 10 years old.
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Mar 23, 2021house of balloons is my favourite mixtape of the weeknd. really good work and good lyrics and beat
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Feb 13, 2022In my top 3 pop/rnb records easily definitely my favorite of Able's records everything about it is just perfect
Awards & Rankings
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Dec 21, 2011It's no turning point in a field populated by dozens of elder space cadets and mood architects, from Massive Attack to Spacek to Sa-Ra. As a flawed first step from a young newcomer, however, it's impressive.
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Sep 13, 2011While overall House of Balloons carries a chilling vibe, it proceeds to rock the listener with exciting tempos and relaxing melodies that intertwine to form a beautiful piece of art.
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Aug 3, 2011For what The Weeknd have produced, regardless of what genre it is or isn't, is a very good record.