Released 8 years ago this November
The Weeknd in Japan
The Weeknd · 2018
60 min · 14 tracks · contemporary R&B
A lush collection of moody anthems blending alternative R&B with pop sensibilities, reflecting The Weeknd's unique sonic landscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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Wicked Games Start here — This track exemplifies The Weeknd's signature blend of haunting melodies and emotional vulnerability, setting the tone for his explorative sound.
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Can't Feel My Face — As one of his most commercially successful songs, it bridges pop appeal with R&B elements, showcasing his crossover potential.
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Call Out My Name — This track highlights The Weeknd's introspective lyricism and vocal prowess, marking a poignant moment in his narrative about love and loss.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends hits and remixes with a cohesive yet varied sound, showcasing The Weeknd's signature style.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and emotional shifts.
- Several tracks utilize layered vocal harmonies, creating a rich texture that enhances the atmospheric quality of the music.
- The album includes remixes alongside original tracks, which alters the sonic landscape and provides different interpretations of The Weeknd's work.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic emotional journeys
- late-night contemplative moods
- long immersive listening sessions
- wave-like pacing throughout
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A solid collection of hits and remixes, but not a primary entry point or breakthrough.
- Themes
- Tokyo nightlife· emotional detachment· post-peak fame
- Career context
- Released in late 2018, 'The Weeknd in Japan' captures a moment of transition for The Weeknd, following his commercial peak with the album 'Starboy'. At this point in his career, he was cementing his status as a global pop icon while exploring deeper emotional themes in his music. This project serves as both a live representation and a retrospective of his evolving sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Frank Ocean· Miguel· SZA
Tracklist
- 1 Wicked Games Start here 5:25
- 2 Wanderlust (Pharrell remix) 5:05
- 3 The Hills 4:02
- 4 Can't Feel My Face 3:33
- 5 In the Night 3:55
- 6 Acquainted 5:48
- 7 Often 4:09
- 8 Might Not 3:44
- 9 Starboy 3:50
- 10 I Feel It Coming 4:29
- 11 Party Monster 4:09
- 12 Secrets 4:25
- 13 Call Out My Name 3:48
- 14 Wasted Times 3:40
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
American Teen
Khalid
Explores themes of youth and emotional detachment with lush production and R&B influences.
Ctrl
SZA
Shares a focus on introspective lyrics and contemporary R&B soundscapes reflecting emotional complexity.
Blonde
Frank Ocean
Features a similar mix of moody atmospherics and personal storytelling, capturing feelings of fame and detachment.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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