The Weeknd - House of Balloons [Gatefold Vinyl 2xLP]

The Weeknd - House of Balloons [Gatefold Vinyl 2xLP]

Details

• Format: 2xLP, Vinyl, Mixtape, Reissue, Gatefold
• Catalogue Number: 0602547264756
• Barcode: 602547264756
• Genre: R&B / Alternative R&B / Pop
• Label: Republic / XO
• Originally Released: 21 March 2011 (free download)
• This Edition Released: 30 October 2015 (Vinyl Reissue)
• Pressing: 2xLP in gatefold sleeve
• Condition: New & Sealed

Description

House of Balloons is the debut mixtape by The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye), originally self-released as a free download and subsequently given a commercial vinyl release on Republic/XO. It is widely credited with reshaping contemporary R&B, introducing a dark, atmospheric, sample-heavy sound that merged alternative R&B with ambient textures, trip-hop and indie rock influences.

Released anonymously at first (The Weeknd's identity was unknown for months), the mixtape created an immediate underground sensation. High for This opens with a menacing, bass-heavy pulse that sets the tone. What You Need is seductive and minimal. House of Balloons / Glass Table Girls is a tour de force that pivots midway from a Siouxsie and the Banshees sample into a frantic, distorted climax. Wicked Games became the breakout track, its falsetto vocal over sparse guitar becoming one of the defining sounds of the decade. The Morning, Coming Down and Loft Music sustain the nocturnal mood, while The Knowing and Twenty Eight bring the mixtape to a haunting close.

This vinyl reissue on Republic/XO presents all nine tracks across two LPs in a gatefold sleeve.

Tracklist

Side A

1. High for This
2. What You Need

Side B

1. House of Balloons / Glass Table Girls
2. The Morning
3. Wicked Games

Side C

1. The Party & the After Party
2. Coming Down

Side D

1. Loft Music
2. The Knowing
3. Twenty Eight

Credits

• The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) - Vocals, Songwriter
• Illangelo (Carlo Montagnese) - Producer
• Doc McKinney - Producer
• Jeremy Rose - Producer (What You Need, Coming Down)