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VOL. 63 ISSUE 4

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NOVEMBER 14, 2024

VOLUME 63 / ISSUE 4

www.protemgl.com

LE JOURNAL ÉTUDIANT DE GLENDON / GLENDON’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

By Connell Simkin-Watt English Journalist

Toronto-born singer, The Weeknd (also known as Abel Tesfaye), is gearing up to release a new album soon. As a devoted fan, I’ll be ranking all his projects from worst to best—from his early mixtapes to his latest albums—complete with a rating out of 10 for each.

photo: Connell Simkin-Watt

The Weeknd’s Albums and Mixtapes, Ranked

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live on his “After Hours Til Dawn Tour.” Rating: 9/10

3. “After Hours”

Best Song: “Alone Again” Worst Song: “Scared to Live” Review: Released in 2020, After Hours sees The Weeknd take another huge leap forward sonically, blending his signature pop-R&B style with elements of 1980s disco and pop. This shift in sound was a huge success, making After Hours one of his best albums. Tracks like “Alone Again,” the title track, and “Blinding Lights” (which is now the most-streamed song in Spotify history) really stand out. While I’d say “Scared to Live” is the weakest track on the album, it’s still a solid song. Rating: 9.5/10

9. “Kiss Land” Best Song: “Kiss Land” Worst Song: “Live For” Review: Released in 2013, Kiss Land marks The Weeknd’s debut album, building on the success of his mixtapes: House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence. Yet, Kiss Land lacks some of the qualities that made those mixtapes so compelling, often feeling repetitive and one-dimensional next to his other projects. While the album has standout tracks like the title track and “Professional,” many songs feel somewhat forgettable. A prime example of this is “Live For,” featuring Drake, where the awkward beat seems to challenge both artists to keep pace. Rating: 5/10

2. “Starboy”

Best Song: “Die For You” Worst Song: “False Alarm” Review: Following the mainstream success of Beauty Behind the Madness, The Weeknd dropped Starboy, and in my opinion, it’s his best album to date. With standout tracks like the title track, “Sidewalks” featuring Kendrick Lamar, and “Die For You,” this album is consistently amazing. It also includes some of his biggest and most iconic hits, like “Starboy” and “I Feel It Coming.” Rating: 9.5/10

breakthrough into pop stardom. With hit 5. “Thursday” songs like “Can’t Feel My Face” and “The Best Song: “Rolling Stone” Hills,” this album catapulted him into the Worst Song: “Life of the Party” mainstream, showcasing a shift from his Review: Thursday, The Weeknd’s second R&B roots toward a blend of pop and R&B. mixtape, is an exceptional project. My While the big hits like “Can’t Feel My Face” favorite track is “Rolling Stone,” with other and “The Hills” still hold up, my favorite highlights including “The Birds Part 1 and track on the album is “Tell Your Friends.” 2.” As we get into the top five projects by Produced by Kanye West, this song carries The Weeknd, all of these releases are truly 8. “Echoes of Silence” a confident vibe, with Tesfaye reflecting on outstanding, with no weak songs in the mix. Best Song: “XO/The Host” how far he’s come. Other highlights include While “Life of the Party” may be the least Worst Song: “The Fall” “Shameless” and “In the Night.” However, impressive track, it’s still an incredible song 1. “House of Balloons” Best Song: “Twenty Eight” Review: Echoes of Silence, The Weeknd’s “Losers” stands out as the album’s weakest in its own right. Worst Song: “What You Need” third and final mixtape, dropped in Decem- point, feeling out of place sonically and lyri- Rating: 9/10 Review: In my opinion, The Weeknd’s ber 2011. Although it ranks as the weakest cally less captivating than his usual work. best project is his debut mixtape, House of 4. “Dawn FM” of his three mixtapes, it remains a strong Rating: 8/10 Balloons! Not only is it my favorite mixtape Best Song: “Out of Time” project, featuring highlights like “XO/The 6. “My Dear Melancholy” by The Weeknd, but it’s also my favorite Worst Song: “Best Friends” Host,” “Montreal,” and the title track. The Best Song: “Wasted Times” mixtape, period. Every song on this project Review: Dawn FM,” released in 2022, is only real misstep is “The Fall,” where the Worst Song: “Try Me” is incredible, but my personal favorite is The Weeknd’s most recent album, and it’s overpowering beat competes with Abel’s voReview: RReleased in 2018, *My Dear “Twenty Eight,” a haunting ballad with an easily one of his best in terms of concept. cals, making it a bit distracting. Still, Echoes Melancholy* is The Weeknd’s first extend- Every song on this album is top-notch, amazing piano instrumental. Other standout of Silence holds its own as an impressive ed play (EP), featuring six tracks. With hit tracks include “House of Balloons/Glass but my personal favorite has to be “Out of mixtape. songs like “Call Out My Name” and “I Was Time.” Other tracks that really stand out are Table Girls” and “The Knowing.” If I had to Rating: 7.5/10 Never There,” this EP delivers consistently “Less Than Zero” and “Is There Someone pick a least favorite, I’d go with “What You strong material. The standout track is “Wast- Else.” It’s tough to pick a least favorite, but Need,” though it’s still a fantastic song. 7. “Beauty Behind the Madness” ed Times,” while “Try Me” ranks as the Best Song: “Tell Your Friends” Rating: 10/10 if I had to, I’d go with “Best Friends”— weakest—but even so, it’s still a solid song though it’s still a great song. This album also Worst Song: “Losers” Review: Beauty Behind the Madness is The in its own right. holds a special place for me since I saw him Rating: 8.5/10 Weeknd’s second album and his ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

JEUX / GAMES The Weeknd’s Albums and Sudoku.......................................5 Mixtapes, Ranked........................1 Mots mêlés................................5 Connect the dots.......................5 Crossword/Mots croisés...........5 HEALTH & WELLNESS Screen Time Limits.................3-4

ACTUALITÉS & OPINION

Quand les mots s’effacent....7

VIE ÉTUDIANTE L’heure des révisions..................8 Caucus étudiant.e.s.....................9

ISSUES & IDEAS El día de los muertos...........8

CAMPUS LIFE Student Caucus..........................9

EXPRESSION A Vague Diss Track ..................10 Perfection toxique....................11 Mille pensées............................11 Behind the Silence...................11

MÉTROPOLE

Différences entre la France et le Canada................................12


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