The return of the Canadian crooner. The former OVO affiliate that once was very much behind the scenes grabbing attention with a three part mixtape series that started with the now classic House Of Balloons is now in full on celebrity mode. His unique take on R&B still crosses boundaries that borders experimental for mainstream but somehow manages to sneak in some wild ideas. Beauty Behind The Madness allows the artist to expand his vision with much more grandiose attempts than previous albums that features a grip of hits that have been populating the airwaves for the last year. Included are the major cuts, 'Can't Feel My Face', 'The Hills', and 'Earned It (Fifty Shades Of Grey)' but also has album cuts that are worth the price of admission. Not a one trick pony, the album has depth and changes direction here and there to keep the listener on their toes with epic ballads, dance party mainstays, and his trademark weirdo soul. Double LP pressing with gatefold jacket on 180g vinyl.

• black double vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• music label: Republic Records 2015

reviewed by Functioning Pillow 12/2015