Beauty Behind the Madness
by The Weeknd
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Aug 28, 2015
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 567 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 495 out of 567
  2. Mixed: 43 out of 567
  3. Negative: 29 out of 567
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  1. parintianaan
    Oct 1, 2022
    7
    love this album. not my favorite since some of the tracks get old quite quick or are not as catchy, but overall still a great album. also it has the hills aka one of the best singles by him in my opinion lmao
  2. All_ButTrU4
    Aug 24, 2022
    5
    When this came out there was few rnb records that had captured the general public as this on did. A dark rnb pop record that didnt attempt to be accessible but instead to be a testament to the thrill of dark rnb. The features were unexpected but nonetheless good kike ed sheerans verse on Dark Times or Dep rey on the duet Prisoners.
  3. 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
  4. GamePlayer77
    May 25, 2021
    8
    Abel not only sets the standard for the rising Alternative R&B genre, but also crafts several hits and a unique sound for himself.

    FAV TRACK: The Hills
    LEAST FAV TRACK: Earned It
  5. AmeenGh
    Apr 4, 2021
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I didn’t like this album it’s not good in my opinion and it doesn’t fit Abels usual flow but it made him who he is so it’s fine… Expand
  6. Braydenoiler
    Dec 12, 2020
    10
    Ksksisodisissieididkieirkreidkdkdrkfiddkkdkddiddkdkdkdkkdkdkddkdkdkddkdkdkdkdkd
  7. ger89
    Apr 8, 2020
    10
    Tiene capas,peeo la voz de Abel se siente primera, contundente, un placer esparcido en la música electrónica y analógica
  8. sscott0829tw
    Feb 18, 2020
    4
    Good Songs : Real Life, Can't feel my face, In the night
    Worst Songs: Often, Dark times,Tell your friends.
  9. Skinnytub
    Jan 11, 2020
    10
    One of my favourite albums ever and 100% my favourite album of 2015. Love every single song!
  10. Shaymooose
    Aug 17, 2019
    6
    First album I ever bought.

    Best Tracks:Real Life,Often,The Hills, In the Night
    Worst Tracks:Acquainted
  11. hornysoul
    Oct 2, 2018
    6
    "Beauty Behind The Madness" foi uma entrada de The Weeknd para o pop (algo que, honestamente, não me agradou completamente), mas, ainda assim, o cantor continua a mostrar-nos que é um humilde cantor viciado em sexo e em adrenalina com uma voz fantástica que nos lembra do icónico Michael Jackson.
  12. Fanboyofpop
    Feb 26, 2018
    4
    Don't really know what to think of this .my. It isn’t very lyrically profound. Although it isn’t bad, it just sounds like he was trying To boost his career. Any if his other work is better and I feel if he went a little less mainstream I would’ve liked it more.
  13. Nicolas23
    Jan 22, 2018
    10
    This is one of the best albums of R&B ever made, each song is a masterpiece and it’s so amazing how the album tell you a story.
  14. martinthecritic
    Nov 6, 2017
    10
    This album is an extremely amazing and well-crafted album. While some of his fans may say that he is a sell-out because he tried to appeal to the masses, the album is amazing regardless. Standout tracks are Real Life, Acquainted, Shameless, Often and Angel.
  15. DavidV293
    Dec 1, 2016
    10
    All the songs from this album are #1 in my personal favorites. He combines his dark lyrics with some serious catchy beat. BBTM is one of The Weeknds' best and will go down in one of the best albums from the last decade. And lets not forget, this is the album that gave Abel his fame.
  16. Mesmerize
    Aug 9, 2016
    7
    7.0 seven
    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
  17. WANGWEST
    May 30, 2016
    10
    This album is the best alternative R&B album of the year! The Weeknd is the king of indie and alternative R&B! This is one of the albums I played the most in 2016! From catchy song to Can't Feel My Face to eerily song The Hills(my favorite!). This marks a huge step in The Weeknd's career!
  18. Jiano74
    Jan 24, 2016
    5
    First of all a brilliant singer there is no doubting that but the songs just weren't my cup of tea a little bit of a disappointment but The Weeknd's performance made up for it.
  19. RobertoElDiablo
    Dec 9, 2015
    8
    That album is the one that made me discover the Weeknd. I heard his name before but never actually listened to it. It's commercial. It's for everyone. But it's also very good. Beauty Behind the madness might be one of the best albums I've heard this year and I'll tell you why. It's the perfect balance between fidelity and mainstream. After I listened to the whole album I had to hear whatThat album is the one that made me discover the Weeknd. I heard his name before but never actually listened to it. It's commercial. It's for everyone. But it's also very good. Beauty Behind the madness might be one of the best albums I've heard this year and I'll tell you why. It's the perfect balance between fidelity and mainstream. After I listened to the whole album I had to hear what he did before. And of course it was different, of course it was more distinctive, but the soul, the very essence of Abel's music is still here. We see that he still love what he does, that it is what the artist seeks when he performs or compose. Beauty behind the madness is an album that enable his music.… Expand
  20. ProGamer7
    Dec 2, 2015
    9
    This Artists is something else, he has a very interesting story (and a very interesting hairstyle). Certain songs like "I Can't Feel my Face" and "The Hills", make this album great. I give this a 9/10
  21. damianpanicali
    Oct 23, 2015
    9
    As I listen to The Beauty Behind The Madness I think “Damn, this is sick.” The versatileness of The Weeknd in this album is outstanding. This album has something to offer every type of listener out there. If you listen to this album you could tell the hard work and the focus he demonstrated while making this album with his producers. His vocal range, pitch, awareness of beats, and innateAs I listen to The Beauty Behind The Madness I think “Damn, this is sick.” The versatileness of The Weeknd in this album is outstanding. This album has something to offer every type of listener out there. If you listen to this album you could tell the hard work and the focus he demonstrated while making this album with his producers. His vocal range, pitch, awareness of beats, and innate melodic sense could not be described in any other way except otherworldly. The way he attacks his music coupled with the emotion and passion he puts into every word is something that just about guarantees somebody chart-topping success.

    This album is very good. It has very strong beats and executions, but i would have to say that to have another singer on the track singing his music would not appeal to me as much due to his unique voice. I feel like some songs are tailored to specific artists, and this whole album is indeed tailored to him and him only. Some songs that are popular are “The Hills” and “Can’t Feel My Face”. I would say they’re good songs that are very recognized from the album but very much overplayed in a since where people wouldn’t listen to the rest of his album based on the annoyingness of these two songs. But I would say “Can’t Feel My Face” is one of the weaker songs from this record mostly because the beat is not as distinct as others on his album, and doesn't have great execution. Some good songs on the album The Beauty Behind The Madness are “Often” and “Dark Times”. I feel like these are on of the better songs because it’s not an ordinary listen its more of a challenging and more distinct tune. That’s what i feel separates him from other artists, his since of different music, and different melodies. I couldn’t see another singer pull off these songs as emotionally, and as vocally as he did. When attentively listening to this track, the ballads do arrive after an upbeat song which was was a hard transition at first, but after you listen to it a couple of times, you form appreciation for his songs and it doesn’t hit you hard after 3 or 4 listens. This album is out of the ordinary for many listeners but it will morbidly attract them.

    I do agree with the critics that the Weeknd is not the most recognizable artist out there and also the most well known, but either was Jay Z, Tupac, and Dr. Dre when they first arrived on the scene. But you can’t deny their talent. You can’t give the whole market of music to a set amount of artists, you have to be open to every new upcoming artist and also many new genres.

    I would describe the Weeknd as a Calvin Harris, Kayne, and Drake mix. He has techno beats backing us his music, with beautiful vocals. I do believe he is a pioneer for his type of music like Kayne is for his music. I see a bright future for this young artist.

    I believe if people heard his whole album, he would be greatly appreciated and praised for his hard work and execution in this album. I like the album and encourage many people to listen and grow to love of him and his art. Will you look past his language and appreciate the handwork and determination in his songs?    … Expand
  22. handstokindness
    Oct 23, 2015
    10
    This album is so gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood, Acquainted is my fav
  23. Mannhorse
    Oct 14, 2015
    7
    This album is pretty good, since its production is top-notch, and its vocals from Abel are pitch perfect and emotional. However, the lyricism are quite bland and repetitive, and they are always about drugs and sex and cars and ****

    Buy it if you don't mind the excessively and quite meaninglessly vulgar lyrics.
  24. GrantBoard
    Sep 26, 2015
    10
    OMG, The Weeknd + Ed and Lana (boom) IS AMAZING all beats of Beauty Behind The Madness are very goods, i think that ''Prisioner'' is the best song with '' The Hills''.
  25. Lolilia
    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 I guess the new fans can replace your old ones. :/
  26. JamesWimbury
    Sep 19, 2015
    7
    As a huge fan of this type of music, I was looking forward to this album immensely, and despite it being a good album and coming together nicely, there is something missing from it, and I'm not quite sure what it is, but once the album comes to a close it does leave you wanting something else. Highlights include "Prisoner" and "Acquainted" however the majority of songs do sound veryAs a huge fan of this type of music, I was looking forward to this album immensely, and despite it being a good album and coming together nicely, there is something missing from it, and I'm not quite sure what it is, but once the album comes to a close it does leave you wanting something else. Highlights include "Prisoner" and "Acquainted" however the majority of songs do sound very similar to one another, so there does appear to be a lack of something exciting after 4 or 5 tracks.… Expand
  27. TounVic
    Sep 19, 2015
    7
    As a Weeknd fan since 2012, I can say that this is a good album, it has some amazing tracks that stand out (Often, Tell Your Friends, Losers...). But some of these songs seem to be directed at a new demographic, all of them with a similar lyrical content, and poppy but still enjoyable instrumentals. His PBR&B days are gone, artists grow and I get it. I still think Abel is an amazing andAs a Weeknd fan since 2012, I can say that this is a good album, it has some amazing tracks that stand out (Often, Tell Your Friends, Losers...). But some of these songs seem to be directed at a new demographic, all of them with a similar lyrical content, and poppy but still enjoyable instrumentals. His PBR&B days are gone, artists grow and I get it. I still think Abel is an amazing and talented artist and I look forward to see what's in store for the next years to come.… Expand
  28. nobodyknowsme
    Sep 18, 2015
    7
    The Weekend finally draws attention in pop scene.His first three mixtapes were creative and good.He got recognition and he released his debut Kiss Land which was a really boring album.Now we got this album.I think the weeknd succeed to keep his old r&b game in pop.Songs like Can't Feel My Face,In The Night got good pop vibes.Often and The Hills got good r&b vibes.But it's not surprising orThe Weekend finally draws attention in pop scene.His first three mixtapes were creative and good.He got recognition and he released his debut Kiss Land which was a really boring album.Now we got this album.I think the weeknd succeed to keep his old r&b game in pop.Songs like Can't Feel My Face,In The Night got good pop vibes.Often and The Hills got good r&b vibes.But it's not surprising or different.After all i liked this album you should give a listen to it.… Expand
  29. diegonelli
    Sep 13, 2015
    9
    This album is great, I love the sounds.. I love Prisoner with Lana, Angel, The Hills and Tell your Friends...
    Also, I didn't know that Abel was that explicit :o
  30. Evic21
    Sep 13, 2015
    8
    It took me a while to fully enjoy this album. I'll admit that at first I was disappointed because I felt like a lot of the songs weren't on the same sonic level as "The Hills" or "Often" and it felt like the majority of the songs were dry, but after some focused listening, I came to the realization that The Weeknd can honestly do no wrong.
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Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Most Discussed Album of 2015
40
#40 Most Shared Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Clash Music
    Sep 22, 2015
    60
    Many fans will still be happy with the change that Beauty Behind The Madness has brought but some will surely feel the album has nothing to offer except immediate accessibility for the short attention of the mainstream.
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  2. Rolling Stone
    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.
    Read full review
  3. The Telegraph (UK)
    Sep 8, 2015
    60
    Real Life builds up to a pitch of doomed drama from a corrosive slash of guitar as Tesfaye confides that even his “Mama called me destructive”. But Ed Sheeran fails to rescue him on the tedious Dark Times and Lana Del Rey--who ought to be his perfect partner in pop-noir--adds nothing but a bored spritz of vocal perfume to the lethargic Prisoner.
    Read full review
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