STARBOY
The Weeknd
Universal Music Malaysia
gn4id:21232023
WHAT’S a starboy? By definition, it means a womaniser or philanderer. However, in the case of Abel Tesfaye a.k.a. The Weeknd, I’m assuming it has a more literal meaning, a boy who became an unlikely star.
The Weeknd has been making waves since his emergence in the scene in 2011. I remember the enigma he was, from the way he speaks to his songs. My all time favourite I Can’t Feel My Face propelled him to superstardom and he even dominated the US R&B chart one time, his singles topping all Top Three spots.
Billboard even said: “It’s impossible to imagine a world or alternative reality where this song isn’t number one” and I cannot agree more. Five years and a couple of chart-topping singles later, The Weeknd churns out his most anticipated album yet, Starboy.
He had big shoes to fill, especially after the mega success of Beauty Behind The Madness last year. His latest release Starboy, is nothing less than a great record. After listening to it for a day, I find the 18-track album a work of art, soulful, sensual and jam-packed with banger after banger. Prior to the album drop, The Weeknd teased fans with an eight-minute short film featuring snippets of songs from the album. Mania — if you’re wondering what it’s called — managed to garner over 10 million views in less than a week. The seamless story flow in the video was pretty mind-blowing.
Starboy is probably his biggest hit yet and it appears to be a more pop album compared to his previous Trilogy. He kept his foot pretty close to mainstream music with collaborators such as Daft Punk, Lana Del Rey and Kendrick Lamar. The opening track, Starboy, flooded radio airwaves even before the album dropped. This track is a breath of fresh air with a completely different sound from Abel, and not forgetting the uber-cool music video. If you pay close attention to the music video, you will realise the story narrates a dissatisfied star (in this case, The Weeknd) who was once a lone wolf, but is now a megastar — something even he didn’t see coming. Despite having everything he needs, he still succumbs to vice as a form of escapism from the pressures of stardom.
Out of the 18 tracks, my personal favourites are I Feel It Coming, featuring Daft Punk, which has also been hailed the best pop song of the year and possibly the decade. False Alarm is another monster track that’s been on repeat. The music video is pretty jaw-dropping; with a first-person view, it makes you feel like you’re a part of the elaborate robbery. Do me a favour, please watch it if you haven’t already. At this point, it’s impossible to pick my top three. The entire album is so wonderfully curated, from the first to the last track, each telling its own story before morphing into a fully-elaborated saga.
Sidewalks, featuring Kendrick Lamar has some really great verses while Secrets, (The Weeknd’s personal favourite), has a rather catchy chorus which makes it super pleasant to listen to.
Starboy is magnetising and mindblowing. Big words, I know but credit must be given when it’s due. It’s so well illustrated and composed as an overall cohesive body of work. It’s no wonder why The Weeknd stands where he does today. He’s definitely redefining pop music, and if this is the new pop, I’m all for it!
MICHAEL BUBLE
Nobody but me
Warner Music Malaysia
POSSIBLY the most lovable man in the music industry, Michael Buble returns with his ninth studio album, Nobody But Me. Despite being under the radar in recent years and even more so now following his announcement of his son’s critical medical situation, Buble’s music is here to stay.
He has certainly proven his timeless gleam over and over again. A loving father and devoted music maker, Buble is back at it, this time around, producing his very own record.
His albums have racked up over 30 million sales throughout his career and true enough, this man isn’t planning on stopping anytime soon. There’s just so much to love about Nobody But Me. Buble seems to have the success formula figured out. This is merely another of his classic Buble record, only difference is that it’s his very first time getting his hands on the production end.
The jazzy-pop vibe isn’t something new but somehow Buble manages to keep it fresh every single time. His artistry, talent and ability to make any genre sound so good is something most singers would die to have.
Nobody But Me is a very fun, light and enjoyable 10-track album with a great amount of jazz and pop. Buble managed to strike a perfect balance between soulful, pop and even added some retro vibes to his songs and it’s truly a solid masterpiece. The album’s title track, Nobody But Me, brings us back to Buble’s classy sound and it is as infectious as it can possibly be. It somehow reminds me of Just Haven’t Met You Yet, definitely on my top three favourites!
In this era where most artistes sing about women, hedonism and vice, Buble’s songs really give a nice change of scenery. Someday, featuring Meghan Trainor, is another one of my personal favourites. Their soothing and infectious vocals, paired with some Hawaiian ukulele strums, are the perfect combination. The kind of song you would blast on a roadtrip with your better half... love it!
“You’re the light that lifts me higher, so bright, you guide me through”, Buble sings in I Believe In You. His uplifting and sunshine lyrics are probably the one thing most songs lack these days. Today Is Yesterday’s Tomorrow is another addictive happy pill. The song is an absolute joy to listen to and can perk up a bad day almost instantly.
Needless to say, Buble’s vocals are beyond commendable. Give the man a bad song, he’ll still make it sound good. Nobody But Me gives a pleasant listening experience and surely doesn’t disappoint.
MAKE ME CRY
(SONG REVIEW)
Noah Cyrus | Sony Music Malaysia
TALENT really does run in the Cyrus family, doesn’t it? Looks like Miley Cyrus isn’t the only one making waves in the entertainment industry. While she’s busy judging on The Voice, we suspect she also played a huge role grooming the younger Cyrus with her debut single, Make Me Cry. Although we may know her as the daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus or Miley’s younger sister (the resemblance is uncanny!), Noah is on her way to making a name for herself too.
Her debut single proves that she’s definitely got what it takes to embark on this path. Her deep, gravelly vocals reminds us of a younger Miley but she still manages to create her own unique sound in this debut.
Make Me Cry was produced by British singer-songwriter Labrinth who is also featured in the song. They sing about a toxic relationship and heartbreaks, quite a perfect duo if you ask me. “I never needed you like I do right now”, she sings. Personally, I really like the effect of the echo-y teardrop in the chorus.
The unconventional yet clean production is highly applaudable. Noah’s raw vocals are very well captured throughout the song and it is a beautiful and emotionally heartfelt ballad. Not bad at al. Quite a stellar debut single, Noah. I’m looking forward to more.