House of Balloons
by The Weeknd
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 442 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 409 out of 442
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 442
  3. Negative: 18 out of 442

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  1. daytonatabooywr
    May 17, 2023
    9
    high for this is one of the greatest intro tracks of all time only bested by dark fantasy and ta13oo
  2. anon21321
    Feb 15, 2023
    0
    By far The Weeknd's best work alongside Echoes of Silence released subsequently of Thursday, which was also an amazing record in its own right. The influence this has had on the Alternative R&B scene is also not to be ignored.
  3. Jackson889
    Sep 3, 2022
    7
    Sounds like a somewhat good pop hip hop album. Overall its one of his most well rounded albums.
  4. All_ButTrU4
    Aug 24, 2022
    7
    Undoubtedly 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
  5. SteezyReviews
    Feb 13, 2022
    10
    In my top 3 pop/rnb records easily definitely my favorite of Able's records everything about it is just perfect
  6. veljko_
    Jan 9, 2022
    9
    dark 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
  7. Sweethour22
    Oct 30, 2021
    10
    the 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
  8. themusicexpert0
    Sep 4, 2021
    10
    Simply phenomenal.His voice is something different but that is not just it.The story of this album makes you love it
  9. GehraMC
    Sep 3, 2021
    10
    House 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.
  10. EVERLEDIS
    Apr 17, 2021
    10
    *Before the song:*

    *( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)*

    *After the song:*

    *( ͡⊙ ͜ʖ ͡⊙)*
    *Before the song:*

    *( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)*

    *After the song:*

    *( ͡⊙ ͜ʖ ͡⊙)*
  11. Hendo250
    Apr 10, 2021
    9
    this album is a 9 this album is a 9 this album is a 9 this album is a 9 this album is a 9
  12. clem666
    Mar 25, 2021
    6
    The first studio album from The Weeknd who surprises everyone with his incredible tone, lyrics and rhythms. The production is terrific, beats are sometimes soft, sometimes raw but always full of energy and deep matter.

    His voice (that I can't honestly stand in his last records) is here really pleasant, agreable and changing. Despite the autotune he clearly makes some effort to not give    The first studio album from The Weeknd who surprises everyone with his incredible tone, lyrics and rhythms. The production is terrific, beats are sometimes soft, sometimes raw but always full of energy and deep matter.

    His voice (that I can't honestly stand in his last records) is here really pleasant, agreable and changing. Despite the autotune he clearly makes some effort to not give the same work on every song. All along the project there is a powerful flow crafted with The Weeknd's voice and his beats who can't stop complement each other. Anyway I surprised myself to look forward to the end at some point.

    This project is wonderful by the never-ending purity and comlexity oozing out of it. It is catchy, questionning, dancy and rarely overloaded. The artist also demonstrates his interesting ability to keep silent to let the instruments do their job. His stories about women are quite awkward and questionnable at some point though. The artist surprisingly managed to fuse poetry and usual daily thoughts, for the best and the worst and with the omnipresent risk to appear as a one-dimensioned and shallow guy.    … Expand
  13. maiiissa
    Mar 23, 2021
    10
    house of balloons is my favourite mixtape of the weeknd. really good work and good lyrics and beat
  14. Mobina1
    Mar 21, 2021
    8
    I 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.
  15. mileyscyrus
    Mar 20, 2021
    10
    My favorite project by Abel. Every song hits different and the whole album is an experience.
  16. OmriMusic
    Dec 12, 2020
    10
    BEST 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
  17. eothh
    Oct 31, 2020
    10
    every songs are a magical, he is so talented !! he create song that are so original and always listenable
  18. weekh
    Oct 26, 2020
    10
    One of the best mixtape I have ever heard in my life. Its very unique even though its 10 years old.
  19. dianalugoar
    Sep 23, 2020
    10
    I wish I had the opportunity to hear this masterpiece for the first time. Not one miss.
  20. Erikav
    Aug 28, 2020
    10
    I love this mixtape it’s not an album but they are on his first album called trilogy
  21. Said000
    Jul 27, 2020
    10
    The weeknd first and best project He killed it in every song The production is amazing
  22. Oakdogs
    Jul 24, 2020
    10
    Honestly 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.
  23. Chernozyom
    Jul 14, 2020
    10
    This is Best The Weeknd's project. Much better than After hours. Lyrics are very good, production is excellent
  24. twentyeightabel
    Apr 8, 2020
    10
    besides 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
  25. Nayefn
    Jul 23, 2019
    10
    Incredible 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
  26. Shaymooose
    Aug 17, 2019
    6
    Wicked Games still his best song.

    Best Tracks:Wicked Games,High for This,The Morning,The Knowing
    Worst Tracks:What You Need,Coming Down
  27. fifi3
    Jul 28, 2019
    8
    A 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.
  28. hornysoul
    Sep 30, 2018
    9
    The 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!
  29. chidime
    Nov 6, 2017
    10
    The encapsulation of a perfect album. The album tells a story, albeit a very dark one. He's a man, he loves his drugs, he loves his women, and he loves it when the two mix. That creates many interesting scenarios for the songs in this album. The best album by the Weeknd and might be that way for some time, though Echoes of Silence comes close.

    BEST: The Morning, High for This, House of    The encapsulation of a perfect album. The album tells a story, albeit a very dark one. He's a man, he loves his drugs, he loves his women, and he loves it when the two mix. That creates many interesting scenarios for the songs in this album. The best album by the Weeknd and might be that way for some time, though Echoes of Silence comes close.

    BEST: The Morning, High for This, House of Balloons/Glass table Girls, THE KNOWING!!    … Expand
  30. TheWeekndFan
    Oct 30, 2017
    10
    This 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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Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best Album of 2011
15
#15 Most Discussed Album of 2011
15
#15 Most Shared Album of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. AllMusic
    Dec 21, 2011
    70
    It'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.
    Read full review
  2. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Sep 13, 2011
    80
    While 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.
    Read full review
  3. Drowned In Sound
    Aug 3, 2011
    80
    For what The Weeknd have produced, regardless of what genre it is or isn't, is a very good record.
    Read full review
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