Music Review: The Weeknd is King
By Ethan Ma 5H
American pop music has always interested young people, and its relevance in global culture is difficult to ignore. Let me introduce to you Abel Makkonen, a Canadian singer and songwriter who you may already know, but by a different name. He has for several years now taken the pop world by storm. The following list of songs is made up of my favorite chart-topping American pop records, and acts a tribute to Abel’s musical influence. Let’s explore some of his great musical contributions.
#4 I Feel It Coming (ft. Daft Punk) - The Weeknd
Daft Punk are two magical beings. They have a lifespan stretching to the creation of many technomusic traditions, yet they are always testing the tradition. Traditional punk, pop, and house producers have a lot to learn from their modern production methods. 2016 was a big year for European and American music. Anti-pop emerged rapidly but Daft Punk has continued with simple drum and riff patterns, on top of rich layers of production.
“I Feel It Coming” is no exception. The Weeknd’s performance reminds me a lot of the late Micheal Jackson in his prime. The lyrics are cryptic, but not exaggerated. It is as though the message hides in a vast white fog, but the sound is clear as day. His gentle voice talks about some very exciting things.
The Weeknd and Daft Punk performing “I Feel it Coming” at the 2017 Grammys.
#3 Can't Feel My Face - The Weeknd
Not long after dominating the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack, he pushed his career to the peak and the top of the billboard charts by releasing “I Can't Feel My Face”. The funky song is perfect for his voice, and the catchy lyrics made it a certified hit.
The Weeknd dominated the billboard charts in 2015 and 2016.
#2 Save Your Tears - The Weeknd
This year, The Weeknd stepped on stage to perform this song to a masked audience. By the end of it, he is holding a microphone in one hand and a pistol in the other. The four-minute performance is literally like a short film.
After this stunning act, netizens are convinced that the message of "Save Your Tears" is a stab aimed at the Grammy Awards, because his studio album "After Hours" was well received commercially and critically, but it was not nominated for a single Grammy. In watching it again I felt that the content was mocking Grammys, and pointed out that if you want to be shortlisted for an award, you have to pretend to be perfect.
The Weeknd at the end of his “Save Your Tears” performance. His face is misshaped due to his use of prosthetic make up for the performance.
#1 Blinding Lights - The Weeknd
This track is a certified banger. It incorporates the retro-electronic synthesizer style of the 1980s, known as Synthwave. Synthwave is mostly retro-futurism, as in it sounds like you are flying in a crystal spaceship and munching on french fries. It brings me to that era of the wondrous 80’s, when we were still excited about space travel and experimental lifestyles.
It does however come with a warning! If you listen to this song deeply, you will be addicted to it. Its charm, I believe, lies in its replayability. It's an easy track to loop because of the song structure, and Abel’s vocal crooning is virtually impossible to forget.
