• Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Aug 28, 2015
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 26
  2. Negative: 0 out of 26
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  1. Aug 31, 2015
    90
    Beauty Behind the Madness proves that the Weeknd can thrive in the mainstream, and while the lyrics aren't overtly profound, he's proven that he is more versatile than previously thought, which is perhaps of greater importance at this stage in his career.
  2. Aug 26, 2015
    90
    In reaching out and grabbing every pop sound that’s been successful in the past half-century of mainstream pop, rolling it tightly in a blunt and setting them ablaze with Abel Tesfaye’s sonorous vocals, this release gets much higher than most anything else released in 2015.
  3. Aug 31, 2015
    88
    He's aiming for harder truths, creating pop that also works as a commentary on choice and consequence.
  4. Aug 31, 2015
    85
    As a cohesive album, Beauty Behind The Madness showcases artistic growth and sonic progression through danceable pop deliveries like 'In The Night' and grand acoustics like 'Shameless'.
  5. Sep 4, 2015
    80
    Heavyweight names add gloss and will no doubt result in dollar signs but Tesfaye is infinitely more interesting when lashing out largely alone.
  6. 80
    Ultimately, Beauty Behind the Madness is a heftier House of Balloons. Its weight is carried in the access to better production and drugs, and what the album truly accomplishes is proving that The Weeknd has never been wretched.
  7. Aug 31, 2015
    80
    An impressive and revealing new album full of expertly crafted pop songs with clear-cut commercial goals.
  8. Aug 26, 2015
    80
    The music has moved from the shadowy haze of trip-hop to an emphatic, monumental clarity--high-end pop craftsmanship. The production still conjures huge spaces, but now they are brightly illuminated, with each sound in crisp focus.
  9. 75
    Anyone looking for a collection of homages to the King of Pop will be disappointed. Those masterpieces ["Can't Feel My Face" and "On The Night"] are outliers, and they end up making Madness’ missteps all the more jarring.... In the middle of those two poles lies a series of bass-heavy throb-and-moan blasts with the signature oddness (shape-shifting melodies, twitchy percussion) that makes the Weeknd a compelling artist.
  10. Aug 28, 2015
    75
    In between Beauty’s innumerable hooks, Tesfaye finds room to be a pop figure with something to say.
  11. Aug 28, 2015
    75
    It expertly and carefully closes the gap between The Weeknd’s perception and his reality.
  12. Sep 2, 2015
    72
    In the end, enjoying the Weeknd requires a certain suspension of disbelief, and that remains true on Beauty Behind the Madness. You really have to buy into his bad-guy persona.... For newcomers, there's a whole world to explore, and on Beauty Behind the Madness it's richer and smarter than ever.
  13. Sep 10, 2015
    70
    If the sound has widened and even brightened in spots, the Weeknd still rocks a serious Eeyore vibe for much of Beauty Behind the Madness.
  14. He may have softened his edge, upped the production and pulled in the stars, but The Weeknd remains an outsider.
  15. Aug 28, 2015
    70
    Beauty Behind the Madness is front-loaded with fresh directions for the Weeknd that achieve the impossible: make it sound like he’s actually enjoying himself.
  16. Aug 26, 2015
    70
    The lecherous lyrics that built his core are still here, but the beats are larger, more capacious, and more lush..... [“Tell Your Friends”] shows a growth in the Weeknd’s songwriting that unfortunately isn’t more prevalent throughout the album.
  17. 67
    As good as these songs are, their lyrical monotony can be punishing.
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 567 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 29 out of 567
  1. Aug 28, 2015
    10
    I been following since the House Of Balloons days, and after Kiss Land album (wich i like), i doubt that he can be successful and maintainsI been following since the House Of Balloons days, and after Kiss Land album (wich i like), i doubt that he can be successful and maintains his unique style. But he proves that he can make a good pop commercial album with quality and don't change his essential style.

    Songs like Real Life, Often, The Hills, Acquainted and Shamless prove that. He has good radio songs friendly like Earned It and Can't Feel My Face.

    He makes three artists collaborations with which we are not used, and lose his vibe. The Ed Sheeran colaboration is amazing, same for the Lana Del Rey. And he proves in the past that can make good collaboration with R&B and rap artist, but now he moves on another level and he doing so great.

    It's difficult to say if this is the album of the year or not, but he has more 10 on individual tracks than any other album of this year. Maybe Kendrick Lamar album is more complete with the whole package, but on individual tracks this is the album!! There aren't bad songs on it.
    Full Review »
  2. Sep 19, 2015
    0
    Hate his pop music, it's kinda sad how he used to be good and then bam! He turned mainstream. This album was plain bad. Sorry Weeknd, but IHate his pop music, it's kinda sad how he used to be good and then bam! He turned mainstream. This album was plain bad. Sorry Weeknd, but I guess the new fans can replace your old ones. :/ Full Review »
  3. Aug 29, 2015
    5
    The album feels like one sell-out after another. The Weeknd is becoming less unique. This is no surprise but it's sad to see it happen. A fewThe album feels like one sell-out after another. The Weeknd is becoming less unique. This is no surprise but it's sad to see it happen. A few good tracks on here but by far my least favourite of his projects. Full Review »