Following heavy anticipation, leaks, videos, and chart-topping singles, The Weeknd’s sophomore album Beauty Behind the Madness is finally available. Based on lead singles “Earned It” and “Can’t Feel My Face,” The Weeknd has traded the dark, shadowy style of his breakout mixtapes for full-fledged Michael Jackson-influenced pop.
Multiple songs have serious chart-bothering potential, including “Real Life.” It kicks off the album with sky-high chords and an anthemic chorus—”Mama said this boy wasn’t made for loving,” wails The Weeknd. “That’s real life, real life, real life.”
Elsewhere he teams up with Ed Sheeran on the slow-burning torch song “Dark Times,” and duets with Lana Del Rey on one of the album’s more hip-hop-influenced cuts, “Prisoner,” while Kanye West contributes production on “Tell Your Friends.”
Stream Beauty Behind the Madness via Spotify and purchase it here.