Trilogy (The Weeknd album) explained

Trilogy
Type:compilation
Artist:the Weeknd
Cover:The Weeknd - Trilogy.png
Genre:Alternative R&B[1]
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:Echoes of Silence
Prev Year:2011
Next Title:Kiss Land
Next Year:2013

Trilogy is the first compilation album and major label debut by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released on November 13, 2012, through XO and Republic Records. It is composed of remixed and remastered versions of the songs contained in his 2011 mixtapes House of Balloons, Thursday and Echoes of Silence, and three previously unreleased songs, "Twenty Eight", "Valerie", and "Till Dawn (Here Comes the Sun)" were included as bonus tracks.

Trilogy received generally positive reviews from critics, who reinforced the previous acclaim of the mixtapes, although some found it indulgent. It was promoted with three singles and the Weeknd's concert tour during September to November 2012. The album charted at number five in Canada and number four in the United States.

Background

In 2011, the Weeknd released a series of mixtapes—House of Balloons, Thursday and Echoes of Silence—and garnered both critical acclaim and a growing fan base.[2] The mixtapes were principally recorded with producers Doc McKinney and Illangelo,[3] at Dream House and Site Sound Studios in Toronto; additional sessions took place at Sterling Road Studios. The Weeknd released the mixtapes online as free digital downloads.[2]

In September 2012, the Weeknd signed with Republic Records in a joint venture with his own imprint label XO. The mixtapes were subsequently remastered and compiled for Trilogy, along with three previously unreleased songs, "Twenty Eight", "Valerie", and "Till Dawn (Here Comes the Sun)",[4] which were recorded at Liberty Studios in Toronto. The three songs were included as bonus tracks at the end of each of the compilation's discs.[5]

To re-release the mixtapes' music for retail, the Weeknd had to obtain clearance from the recording artists he had originally sampled for certain songs, including Beach House's "Master of None" for "The Party & The After Party" and Siouxsie and the Banshees's "Happy House" on "House of Balloons / Glass Table Girls"; the sample of Aaliyah's "Rock the Boat" on "What You Need" was excluded from Trilogy.[6]

On November 13, 2022, the Weeknd announced that he is considering removing Trilogy from streaming services due to both the original samples finally being cleared and him not being a fan of the updated mixes, telling fans to instead listen to the three mixtapes individually.[7]

Promotion

The Weeknd toured in support of Trilogy during September to November 2012.[6] He previewed the album at a listening party in New York City on October 24. It was his first major media event.[8]

Singles

The album's lead single "Wicked Games" was released on October 22, 2012.[9] with the video for its remastered version released four days prior, on October 18, 2012.[10] The song charted at number 43 on the Canadian Hot 100,[11] it reached number 53 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 13 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[12] [13]

The second single, "Twenty Eight" was released on November 13.[14] Its music video was released on February 13, 2013, directed by Nabil Elderkin.[15]

"The Zone" was released as the album's third and final single three days later, its video shot in January 2012, and released on November 13, 2012.[16]

Other songs

A video accompanying the track "Rolling Stone" was released on October 3, 2012, to promote the album's release.[17] The Weeknd posted an open letter to his fans on his website, where he explained the meaning of the video.[18]

Critical reception

Trilogy was met with generally positive reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received an average score of 79, based on 19 reviews. Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 8.1 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.

John Calvert of Fact dubbed it "an r'n'b album with few equals in terms of narrational ambition".[19] Oliver Keens of Time Out wrote that the Weeknd "communicates" his character "so engagingly on Trilogy" and found him "riveting when he juxtaposes debauchery with a delivery that finds him numb and on the verge of tears".[20] Killian Fox of The Observer felt that the mixtapes' "production sounded great to start with" and that the "new material is unexceptional", but ultimately stated, "if you didn't pick up the mixtapes when they were going free, and can handle 160 minutes of beautifully crafted nihilism, this is an essential buy".[21] Although he found the new songs "arbitrary in terms of sequencing", Pitchforks Ian Cohen cited the compilation as "some of the best music of the young decade; judging by its already pervasive influence, it's safe to say Trilogy (or at least House of Balloons) will be one of those records that will be viewed as a turning point when we look at the 2010s as a whole".

In a mixed review, AllMusic's Andy Kellman felt that, despite moments when he is "distinctively gripping", the Weeknd lacks "restraint, as he is prone to repetitious whining that is more young boy than young Keith Sweat". Kellman wrote that "now that he's with a label, he'll hopefully get some kind of filter that enables him to fulfill the promise heard in these 160 minutes of one-dimensional, occasionally exhilarating overindulgence ... His potential is as obvious as his lyrics are toxic".[22] Kevin Ritchie of Now found the music "impressive", but found the "lyrical ambivalence" to be "a bit one-note" by the album's second hour.[23] Although he found its "excess oppressive" when listened to in its entirety, Drowned in Sounds Robert Leedlum deemed Trilogy to be "untouchable" as a "comprehensive document of a specific moment in time".[24] Paul MacInnes of The Guardian wrote that its three discs "offer a rough trajectory of party, after-party and hangover, through which an assertive voice gives way to one that sounds more troubled", and concluded, "Trilogy does remove some of the Weeknd's mystique – lyrical formulae become apparent, and examples of engaging melody recede as the collection advances. Whatever its limits, however, Trilogy remains a striking piece of work".[25]

Commercial performance

Trilogy charted at number five on the Canadian Albums Chart. In the United States, it debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 86,000 copies.[26] By August 2015, the release has sold 558,000 copies in the United States.[27] On March 18, 2019, Trilogy was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). On June 10, 2022, the album was certified triple platinum by Music Canada.

Track listing

Sample credits

Personnel

Credits for Trilogy adapted from liner notes.[28]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2012–2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australian Albums Chart[29] 93

Year-end charts

Chart (2013)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard 200[30] 65
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[31] 17
Chart (2014)! scope="col"
Position
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[32] 80
Chart (2015)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard 200[33] 97
Chart (2016)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard 200[34] 122
Chart (2017)! scope="col"
Position
US Billboard 200[35] 154

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateLabel(s)Format(s)EditionRef.
AustraliaNovember 9, 2012RepublicCDStandard[36]
Germany[37]
United KingdomNovember 12, 2012[38] [39]
CanadaNovember 13, 2012[40] [41]
United StatesRepublic[42]
March 26, 2013LP[43]
November 27, 20175-year anniversary[44]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Martins. Chris. September 12, 2012. The Weeknd's PBR&B Archive 'Trilogy' Gets Official Release. Spin. New York. November 12, 2012. https://archive.today/20240526090931/https://www.webcitation.org/6C8Nklqbb?url=http://m.spin.com/entry/view/id/22638%3FKSID=959385011d731c421b69aad80592368e&ints_viewed=1. May 26, 2024. live.
  2. News: Wood. Mikael. November 7, 2012. First listen: The Weeknd's deceptively lovely new songs. Los Angeles Times. November 12, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20121110201155/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-first-listen-the-weeknd-new-songs-20121107%2C0%2C4260402.story. November 10, 2012.
  3. News: Gill. Andy. November 10, 2012. Album: The Weeknd, Trilogy (Universal Republic). The Independent. London. November 12, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130129021234/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-the-weeknd-trilogy-universal-republic-8297981.html. January 29, 2013.
  4. Web site: Kellman. Andy. The Weeknd – Music Biography, Credits and Discography. AllMusic. November 12, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20121117212325/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-weeknd-mn0002674162. November 17, 2012.
  5. Web site: Aspray. Benjamin. November 19, 2012. The Weeknd: Trilogy. PopMatters. November 19, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20121122022702/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/165537-the-weeknd-trilogy/. November 22, 2012.
  6. Hampp. Andrew. New York. November 12, 2012. The Weeknd & Reps Talk Clearing Samples, Touring For 'Trilogy' Release. Billboard. November 17, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130306002619/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/474219/the-weeknd-reps-talk-clearing-samples-touring-for-trilogy-release. March 6, 2013.
  7. Web site: Geraghty . Hollie . The Weeknd considers removing 'Trilogy' from streaming services . . August 5, 2023 . November 14, 2022.
  8. Krishnamurthy. Sowmya. The Weeknd Previews Three-Disc Trilogy. Rolling Stone. New York. October 25, 2012. November 17, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20121028003223/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-weeknd-previews-three-disc-debut-trilogy-20121025. October 28, 2012.
  9. Web site: Wicked Games [Explicit]]. Amazon . November 17, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20121114062216/http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Games-Explicit/dp/B009TAG3C6. November 14, 2012.
  10. Web site: Watch the Weeknd's Shadowy "Wicked Games" Video . Pitchfork . October 18, 2012 . June 14, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140628011413/http://pitchfork.com/news/48217-watch-the-weeknds-shadowy-wicked-games-video/ . June 28, 2014 .
  11. The Weeknd Chart History: Canadian Hot 100. Billboard. March 9, 2021.
  12. The Weeknd Chart History: Hot 100. Billboard. March 9, 2021.
  13. The Weeknd Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Billboard. March 9, 2021.
  14. Web site: Twenty Eight – Single . . November 13, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121113155948/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/twenty-eight-single/id577660703 . November 13, 2012 .
  15. Web site: Bolaria . Simren . The Weeknd – "Twenty-Eight" [Video] (NSFW) |date=February 15, 2013 |access-date=June 14, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714231525/http://www.earmilk.com/2013/02/15/the-weeknd-twenty-eight-video-nsfw/ |archive-date=July 14, 2014 ].
  16. Web site: The Zone (feat. Drake) – Single by The Weeknd . . August 22, 2013 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20140602011646/http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-zone-feat.-drake-single/id579573508 . June 2, 2014 . dmy-all .
  17. Web site: Alexis. Nadeska. The Weeknd Releases 'Rolling Stone' Video, Trilogy Cover Art. MTV. October 19, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121009013332/http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/10/03/the-weeknd-rolling-stone-video-trilogy-cover-art/. October 9, 2012.
  18. Web site: The Weeknd unveils 'Rolling Stone' video and writes open letter to fans – watch . NME . October 4, 2012 . June 14, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714150850/http://www.nme.com/news/the-weeknd/66466 . July 14, 2014 .
  19. Calvert. John. November 27, 2012. Trilogy. Fact. London. November 28, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121130024434/http://www.factmag.com/2012/11/27/the-weeknd-trilogy/. November 30, 2012.
  20. Keens. Oliver. November 2012. The Weeknd – 'Trilogy' album review. Time Out. London. November 12, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20121120022215/http://www.timeout.com/london/feature/3242/the-weeknd-r-trilogy-album-review. November 20, 2012.
  21. News: Fox. Killian. November 10, 2012. The Weeknd: Trilogy – review. The Observer. London. The New Review section, p. 29. November 12, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140810202758/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/nov/11/the-weeknd-trilogy-review. August 10, 2014.
  22. Web site: Kellman. Andy. Trilogy – The Weeknd. AllMusic. November 14, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20121116073106/http://www.allmusic.com/album/trilogy-mw0002422285. November 16, 2012.
  23. News: Ritchie. Kevin. November 13, 2012. The Weeknd – Trilogy. Now. Toronto. November 14, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140813205035/http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=189655. August 13, 2014.
  24. Web site: Leedlum. Robert. November 14, 2012. The Weeknd – Trilogy. Drowned in Sound. November 14, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20121118021006/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/17339/reviews/4145744. November 18, 2012.
  25. News: MacInnes. Paul. November 15, 2012. The Weeknd: Trilogy – review. The Guardian. London. section G2, p. 23. November 15, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20131030193412/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/nov/15/the-weeknd-trilogy-review. October 30, 2013.
  26. Caulfield. Keith. October 10, 2012. One Direction Tops Billboard 200 Chart, 'Twilight' Debuts at No. 3. Billboard. Los Angeles. November 21, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130329073647/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474052/one-direction-tops-billboard-200-chart-twilight-debuts-at-no-3. March 29, 2013.
  27. Billboard Cover: The Weeknd on Why 'Nobody Can Stop Me But Myself' . Wilson . Carl . . August 27, 2015 . August 27, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150829222943/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/6677740/the-weeknd-beauty-behind-the-madness-album-taylor-swift-max-martin-michael-jackson . August 29, 2015 .
  28. Trilogy. The Weeknd. 2012. CD liner. Republic Records. 19793-4.
  29. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 19 November 2012. https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20121204015700/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20121204-1257/Issue1186.pdf. dead. December 4, 2012. Australian Recording Industry Association. Australian Web Archive. 1186. November 19, 2012. June 25, 2016.
  30. 2013 Year-End Charts – Billboard 200 Albums . Billboard . December 16, 2013 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141212202750/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/top-billboard-200-albums . December 12, 2014 .
  31. 2013 Year-End Charts – Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Billboard. December 13, 2013. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140707215005/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/top-r-b-hip-hop-albums?page=1. July 7, 2014.
  32. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2014. Billboard. July 18, 2020.
  33. Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2015. Billboard. July 1, 2020.
  34. Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2016. Billboard. July 1, 2020.
  35. Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2017. Billboard. August 25, 2021.
  36. Web site: Buy Trilogy Weeknd, Alternative, CD. Sanity. November 17, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140331143729/http://www.sanity.com.au/products/2218109/Trilogy. March 31, 2014.
  37. Web site: Weeknd,The – Trilogy – CD. Musicline.de. PHONONET GmbH. de. November 17, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140810051549/http://musicline.de/de/product/Weeknd%2CThe/Trilogy/CD///602537197934. August 10, 2014.
  38. Web site: Weeknd: Trilogy: 3cd (2012): CD. HMV. November 12, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20151009201406/https://hmvdigital.com/releases/2003735. October 9, 2015.
  39. Web site: Trilogy (Explicit Version) (2012). 7digital. November 12, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121120070123/http://www.7digital.com/artist/the-weeknd/release/trilogy-1. November 20, 2012.
  40. Web site: Trilogy : 3cd by Weeknd. Hmv.ca. November 12, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304190513/https://www.hmv.ca/en/Search/Details?sku=681399. March 4, 2016.
  41. Web site: Trilogy (Explicit Version) by The Weeknd. iTunes Store. November 12, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140819094905/https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/trilogy-explicit-version/id571371388. August 19, 2014.
  42. Web site: Trilogy (Explicit): The Weeknd. Amazon . November 12, 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20121111121145/http://www.amazon.com/Trilogy-Explicit-The-Weeknd/dp/B009LDXQGW. November 11, 2012.
  43. Web site: The Weeknd's Trilogy finally sees vinyl release, in whopping six-LP box-set. Fact. March 12, 2013. October 4, 2022.
  44. Web site: The Weeknd Unveils "Trilogy" Merchandise For 5 Year Anniversary. Post. Chantilly. HotNewHipHop. November 13, 2017. October 4, 2022.

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