"Made your whole year in a week too, yah / Main bitch out your league too, ah," The Weeknd boasts in "Star Boy," the single from the eponymous album. It's the 4th full-length from the canadian "PBR&B" artist, and Abel still trades in the sad, foggy, emotive creative space that propelled the earlier mixtapes (Balloons Trilogy) and albums (Kiss Land and Beauty Behind the Madness). But, he is in a different place now. He is a mega star, and Star Boy reflects the changes as he discusses the extras (positive & negative) that surround his fame. From Daft Punk collabos to features by Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Rey, and Future, the 18-tracker hits all the right notes and really solidifies The Weeknd's at the top of the pop/r&b sphere. Check out the title track, "Party Monster," "False Alarm," "Sidewalks," "All I Know," "Die For You," "I Feel It Coming," and "True Girls." This is the translucent red pressing of the vinyl.

• translucent red vinyl
• music label: Republic Records 2017

reviewed by enbee 02/2017