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

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. hydrawithears
    Oct 2, 2011
    6
    The Weekndâ
  2. Hipsteran
    Dec 15, 2011
    6
    With massive collaborations and critical love, The Weeknd hype was trend this year, almost like Drake's debut So Far Gone. I have to say I had high expectations mainly because of this, and while the House of Balloons is not bad it is just safe. The Weeknd sounds just like Drake 2.0 to me right now.
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. MooziikMaster
    May 8, 2011
    5
    I expected a lot more from this album. I got such great critic reviews. Now I wonder if they were listening to the album with the speakers turned off or someone with a gun to their head forcing them to write a great review. Sure, maybe some people like songs all about sex, drugs, and violence, but it gets boring after a while. I actually thought that the singer was a woman at first. ThereI expected a lot more from this album. I got such great critic reviews. Now I wonder if they were listening to the album with the speakers turned off or someone with a gun to their head forcing them to write a great review. Sure, maybe some people like songs all about sex, drugs, and violence, but it gets boring after a while. I actually thought that the singer was a woman at first. There is something off with that. The only song worth listening to is the first track "High For This". Other than that, don't bother with it.… Expand
  6. Boosemo12
    Jun 6, 2011
    5
    I just didn't get the hype. I agree with Stuie, musically it's a little above average and lyrically it's sub-par. I downloaded it for free off of their website, and I got what I paid for.
  7. therealmogwai
    Jul 26, 2011
    5
    Over hyped. Production by Doc is up to his usual standards but considering his experience (he's done tracks for britney spears to MSTRKFT) this can't be considered a debut. Vocals and lyrics are utterly forgettable. Typical R&B with dark production.
  8. simonsays
    Oct 29, 2013
    5
    The production on each track is pretty good in a vacuum, but that's because they all sound the same in my opinion. To me this album sounds like one really long song that just drags on forever. The beats have to change up at SOME POINT, right? I find this kind of boring. A few great moments in the album, but the only time I listen to any track except Wicked Games and maybe The Party & TheThe production on each track is pretty good in a vacuum, but that's because they all sound the same in my opinion. To me this album sounds like one really long song that just drags on forever. The beats have to change up at SOME POINT, right? I find this kind of boring. A few great moments in the album, but the only time I listen to any track except Wicked Games and maybe The Party & The After Party is when I'm taking a midday nap..not even joking… Expand

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
See all critic reviews »