Third time makes for stellar CD from The Weeknd

The fact that Echoes of Silence — the third EP by Toronto-based R&B performer The Weeknd — starts with a cover of Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana” serves as a testament to the Internet age’s celebrity-making potential… Echoes of Silence

The Weeknd

Self-Released

Grade: A-

Rocks Like: The best part of a trilogy

The fact that Echoes of Silence — the third EP by Toronto-based R&B performer The Weeknd — starts with a cover of Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana” serves as a testament to the Internet age’s celebrity-making potential.

The group’s first EP, House of Balloons, released less than a year ago, began with the track “High for This,” a song that features singer Abel Tesfaye coaxing a would-be lady of the night into a one-night stand. Echoes’ first track is a complete turnaround from this — as if somewhere in between House of Balloons and this record the group reached a level of stardom rivaled only by that of the late King of Pop.

This shoot to fame is chronicled throughout the album. Tesfaye’s signature high-pitched croon sets off the track “Montreal,” a ballad detailing a girl who lost her chance to be with the now-famous narrator. Tesfaye sings, “You just want me cause I’m next,” on the chorus of “Next,” a song lamenting the prevalence of fame-seeking girls at shows and clubs.

Despite the newly found stardom, the sound of The Weeknd remains relatively characteristic, relying significantly on druggy, synth-heavy production reminiscent of its breakout mix tape. Producer Clams Casino lends his hand for the song “The Fall,” adding his trademark ambience to the already moody track.

In a lot of ways, The Weeknd’s struggles with newly acquired fame are a symptom of the Information Age. The Toronto-based group went from posting songs on its blog to being featured on Drake’s Take Care album in roughly a year.

The most interesting element of this EP is the fact that the narrator never takes a particularly high road morally. Tesfaye laments of the excess and the ease with which sex comes with fame but always seems to fall into the same patterns. There’s a sense that even though most of this record’s listeners will never live that particular lifestyle, the record’s sentiments are still relatable.