Please enter your birth date to watch this video:
You are not allowed to view this material at this time.
X
User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
Kiss Land Image

Kiss Land

| Release Date:
65
Metascore
 31 reviews
8.2
User Score
 297 ratings

Stream Now

Buy on
Label: Republic / XO
Album Details: After a trilogy of mixtapes, the Canadian artist releases his debut studio release that includes a
After a trilogy of mixtapes, the Canadian artist releases his debut studio release that includes a guest appearance from Drake.
Label: Republic / XO
Genre(s): R&B
Top Track
Pretty
Somebody told me it was pointless for me to come back Into your arms Said you fucked another man Finally, I knew this day would come Whoa oh oh Cause...
See the rest of the song lyrics
Powered by
Tracks
Critic Reviews
(31)
65
Metascore Generally favorable reviews
17 Positive Ratings 54%
14 Mixed Ratings 45%
0 Negative Ratings 0%
Based on 31 Critic Reviews View All
91
Pretty Much Amazing
Sep 6, 2013
"Sonically, his oeuvre has bridged the divide between barren and lush. Lyrically, he has perfected the motif of narcotized horror.... This is the real deal." ... Read full review
83
Entertainment Weekly
Sep 6, 2013
"He isolates himself inside long, slow-tempo songs that edge from seductive into oppressive--and, with their reverberating guitar chords and crisp, dominating drum sounds, will feel oddly familiar to anyone who's enjoyed a 1980s ballad by Genesis." ... Read full review
80
Mojo
Sep 19, 2013
"The 23-year-old Ethiopian-Canadian's sonic evolution continues on Kiss Land. [Oct 2013, p.88]"
70
Spin
Sep 6, 2013
"Kiss Land plays like a more considered, better-mastered continuation of Echoes of Silence, not anything dramatically different." ... Read full review
60
HipHopDX
Sep 12, 2013
"This album is a polished, lateral step with an accompanying barcode for Weeknd’s fans. And outsiders looking to understand his appeal are likely better off downloading the three mixtapes that preceded the album." ... Read full review
50
Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
Oct 9, 2013
"He still has an ear for production and his voice remains a pliable tool, but to keep himself tethered to an aesthetic he defined and completed within a year is to do himself and the listener a disservice." ... Read full review
40
Slant Magazine
Sep 9, 2013
"The problem with Kiss Land is that it fails on both fronts, presenting a musically static album that's also disturbingly backward on gender issues, with a sustained focus on degradation that no longer seems anything but vile." ... Read full review
Critic Reviews
User Reviews
(36)
8.2
User Score Universal acclaim
241 Positive Ratings 81%
41 Mixed Ratings 13%
15 Negative Ratings 5%
Based on 297 Ratings and 36 Reviews View All
10
N10
Sep 10, 2013
It seems like critics really want to put out reviews as fast as they can, it's like a rally. Let it grow on you, take you're time it's justIt seems like critics really want to put out reviews as fast as they can, it's like a rally. Let it grow on you, take you're time it's just been a day since it offically have released. A record you really need to sit down with to really appreciate as a whole. Small details here and there in the production did alot for my listening experience too, not big just some tiny instruments. Sonically it's rich and cinematic, I mean it all ends with track 10 "Tears In The Rain" (a one of the many references to the 80's movie Blade Runner) so you kinda get where he's trying to get with his sound for his big major label debut album.

Like Janelle Monáe's new release, both are heavily influenced by SCI FI, the SCI FI heads of R&B. Monáe with Metropolis, The Weeknd with Blade Runner. And like his Ridley Scott and Harrison Ford influences it all begins with "Professional" a dreamy, catchy and heart broken set, both sonically and lyrically, the vocals are well executed and a great first play into the album. Quietly from the first piece of the album we're in this atmospheric world created and signed by Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd), it all stays in the lane of the first track until the boombastic and synth heavy pop song "Belong To The World". A good song with some clever lines, tough it's a preference of what you find as 'good' when he sings "I'm not a fool I just love that you're dead inside I'm not a fool I'm just lifeless too". My opinion, it's one of the most original and strangest hooks I've heard in years, laughable or lovable, I personally like it.. a lot.

Right after the centerpiece we have the little hip hop anthem "Live For" with a feature from fellow Canadian, their very own, Drake. Well, let's put it like this, when it came to Drake on this record he really sounded to bring big, HUGE, inspirations from J. Cole's "N***as Know" that was included earlier this year on his sophmore "Born Sinner". Similiar rhymes, lines.. and topic at certain points, and even flow wise. But hey, the verse was not bad, just a bit suspicious about it that's all. Sounded like a re write of Cole's with just some lines off the board, not a better verse though either. The track was quite fitting to what it all built up too and it's a more up tempo track than most of it. Overall it's a fun song.

Wanderlust, a song which could have made it to a Michael Jackson singel in the 80's, a great track and one of the best songs on the album, loving it. The fun parts are over, now with the titel track "Kiss Land" and tracks there after it's all pain, depression, misogyny, he's voice starts cracking up. I guess, John Carpenter and those great horror directors did this kid a favor, cause at the end, The Weeknd has released a excellent debut album. Don't miss out my favorite one of the album, "Adaptation", it reminded me of "The Prince of Egypt" while track #2 "The Town" had some vibes of the 90's cartoon/animé televsion "Sailor Moon".
Probably gonna get mixed opinions from both critics and listeners in this day in age where living in now, give it some time and I think it's gonna lead a new wave of artist's with it's sound and topics. See "Kiss Land" as one of Marvin Gaye's most influential records "Here My Dear" which didn't get the same acclaim as his previous releases, but look at what it did to quiet storm and contemporary R&B as a genre, The Weeknd can be doing the same thing for PBR&B or whatever we gonna call this.

Literally have been playing it from start to end about 20 times, more or less, and I've gotta say, "Kiss Land" is The Weeknd's most ambitious and interesting work yet. The top album of it's genre with Monáe and James Blake for sure, they will definitely be fighting for my album of the year.… Expand
10
Thonyo
Feb 16, 2022
Kiss Land é super subestimado , na minha opinião , é o melhor álbum do Abel , literalmente todas as faixas são ótimas , a estética , aKiss Land é super subestimado , na minha opinião , é o melhor álbum do Abel , literalmente todas as faixas são ótimas , a estética , a sonoridade , tudo nesse álbum é perfeito! Destaque para as faixas Tears In The Rain , Pretty , Wanderlust.… Expand
10
bronbron
Sep 11, 2013
I personally created an account to review this album I couldn't believe the semi mixed reviews it got from the "critics", the user reviews areI personally created an account to review this album I couldn't believe the semi mixed reviews it got from the "critics", the user reviews are much more accurate. Such an amazing album I'm usually the type of guy to listen to the leak of a cd and then download individual songs from the album because the entire album isn't that great just a couple of songs. Well as I was listening and to this album song by song I noticed I had downloaded every single song off the album (except for Belong to the world which I already have).

Its so good that I felt guilty not purchasing it so I went out and bought the album despite having every song. So consistent very rare you find a CD where every single track is great. I know I sound like a fan boy but it really is a great CD if you are contemplating buying this because you haven't heard it spend the 10$ and support this great piece of art and this great artist.… Expand
9
hornysoul
Oct 1, 2018
"Kiss Land" é uma produção realmente muito bem trabalhada, com boas músicas e letras interessantes, que dá uma sensação de euforia e de"Kiss Land" é uma produção realmente muito bem trabalhada, com boas músicas e letras interessantes, que dá uma sensação de euforia e de tranquilidade aos ouvintes. Um ótimo seguimento de "Trilogy". Os meus destaques vão para "Love In The Sky", "Belong to the World" e "Kiss Land".… Expand
9
Ahsan9710
Feb 6, 2014
Basically, different from trilogy but he stays true to his craft, took some time to grow up on me. Every single song in Kiss Land is amazingBasically, different from trilogy but he stays true to his craft, took some time to grow up on me. Every single song in Kiss Land is amazing and unique in it's own way.… Expand
8
IAmPhongNguyen
Oct 28, 2013
As much as an Abel fan I am, I must say that this album was my least favorites of his past few releases but still manages to kick ass in theAs much as an Abel fan I am, I must say that this album was my least favorites of his past few releases but still manages to kick ass in the R&B genre. Kiss Land still had the dark lyricism, incredible vocals, and misogyny storytelling that he is known for in the R&B genre. Well, what was missing? Illangelo. I think the production on this album was well done but it was missing the very dark production that existed on Echoes of Silence. With all that said, this is the best album of 2013 so far but the least favorite of The Weeknd's releases.… Expand
0
All_ButTrU4
Aug 25, 2022
Slant magazine said it best : "problem with Kiss Land is that it fails on both fronts, presenting a musically static album that's alsoSlant magazine said it best : "problem with Kiss Land is that it fails on both fronts, presenting a musically static album that's also disturbingly backward on gender issues, with a sustained focus on degradation that no longer seems anything but vile."… Expand
User Reviews