| | Full Review | Ratings (525) |
Give your Rating |
| 2.0 poor | Athom EMERITUS | September 2nd 13 |
Even before Kiss Land was a topic on message boards, before Abel unsuccessfully tried to out jackass Kanye West, it was obvious that whatever he did next was going to be a slick and lifeless affair. His reworking of his near flawless Trilogy to make it uninteresting, clean, and safe enough for pop-rap radio play was the clarion call that it wasn't about the art, it wasn't about the sex, and it wasn't about the drugs; it was about how much of his art he could sacrifice to get more sex and more drugs. The answer on Kiss Land gives us is most of it. It's boring, it's bloated, and worst of all, it's comfortable. Mind-numbingly so.
13 Bumps | Bump |
| 0.0 | Julianna Reed EMERITUS | September 2nd 13 |
Sobhi, Sobhi, we need your opinion to guide us so.
10 Bumps | Bump |
| 0.0 | bloc | September 4th 13 |
Of all the mirror shots this man takes, he picks that one to be the album cover?
5 Bumps | Bump |
| 3.0 good | Guzzo10 | September 2nd 13 |
While it isn't House of Balloons or Echoes of Silence level, it is still a great release by The Weeknd. It's sad, however, that many will rate this poorly based off of Abel Tesfaye as a person and not his music.
4 Bumps | Bump |
| 5.0 classic | slipandslide | May 22nd 19 |
Another totally unique and beautiful sounding album from The Weeknd, sounding nothing like trilogy and yet still catches your attention from the start. lyrics and yet again wonderful production/instruments in every single song, with yet again 'tears in the rain' being one of my favorite songs ever at a long 7 minute+ run-time and every minute just gets better and better until the breathtaking climax at the end. Just like trilogy i hope this never gets old to me, because i endlessly re-visit throughout time. with a sound so unique it never seems to get boring.
2 Bumps | Bump |
| 2.0 poor | breakingthefragile | September 12th 13 |
Abel's melodies here aren't as varied, aching, and organic on Kiss Land as they were
on the mixtapes. Furthermore, while his range is still impressive, he's still showing no
signs of adopting any form of restraint, and this results in a vocal approach that is
identical to a numbing extent. The album's production isn't as raw as the mixtapes, and has
a much more cleaner and glossier sheen. While this makes sense seeing as how it's his major
label debut, I think this indicates a complete departure from what made him stand out from
the rest of his contemporaries in the first place. His mixtape trilogy was gritty, brooding,
and bluntly sexual R&B with darker alternative music leanings. It's plainly obvious that
Kiss Land sounds utterly processed and sterilized in comparison. The songs are set on
a bigger scale no doubt, but outside of the context of comparing this music to his previous
outings, the general atmosphere of the record sounds neutered, and musically, the songs are
like pack-mules in how lumbering, tedious, and over-encumbered they are with homogenized yet
jarringly contrasting layers.
2 Bumps | Bump |
| 0.0 | Scoot | September 1st 13 |
i liked this guy better when he wasn't an immense douchenozzle
2 Bumps | Bump |
| 3.0 good | darkbunny | September 11th 13 |
Not even remotely as bad as people pretended it was (according to the early ratings.) Not as good as the trilogy, but not terrible. Might even jump to a four. The only truly terrible track is the Drake one.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 0.0 | Aids | September 3rd 13 |
I used to make beats for this guy in High School. Well, Junior High....
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 2.5 average | Tjatkinson1998 | January 9th 22 |
This is the most middle of the road record I have ever heard. Like it?s not bad by a long stretch and the synth-wave production is pretty good and keeps me going through a record which can be a slog. Bar a few highlights like Wanderlust, it feels like Abel is on autopilot here and just doesn?t come across as that interested or different from what came before or after this album. Go listen to the Trilogy mixtapes or the stuff that came after as it?s far more interesting, but for the diehards, there is some decent stuff here. 5/10
Bump |
| 3.0 good | PrincyAli | September 11th 21 |
After three successful mixtapes, Abel provides the debut we wished was better. 2.8/5 Favs: Belong To The World, Live For, Wanderlust, Kiss Land, Tears In The Rain
Bump |
| 4.5 superb | IsildursBane44 | April 6th 20 |
The nighttime feel of this album is super chilling. A largely overlooked release, seeing as it came in between the trilogy, and his pop breakout, Beauty behind the madness. Kiss land relies on the ambience and buildup of a song much more than his pop endeavors. The subtle samples glimmer in the background, while Abel belts his heart out over the distorted drums and neon synths. Welcome to Kiss land. Enjoy your stay.
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| 2.1 poor | Erwann S. STAFF | October 11th 19 |
Well that's boring, and that's mainly because he sounds bored.
Bump |
| 3.5 great | Alabaster Jones | September 10th 16 |
At this point in his career, Abel Tesfaye had three critically acclaimed mixtapes to his name, and though their sound and mission statements were essentially the same, they were all of such quality that it sounded less like a retread and more like a connected trilogy. Kiss Land, his debut full-length, veers away from the hazy, drug-induced sound of the trilogy and lands on a more contemporary sound. The lyrics are also more up front and blunt about things than before, mirroring the uncomplicated nature of the record. This results in, from a songwriting standpoint, a very solid R&B album, but nothing all that great. That is, until Tesfaye starts singing. There's no doubt: the man can really, really sing, and he takes the record to heights that not many other people in the business could get it to off of sheer talent alone. Just take "Wanderlust" for your example and that should put an end to any doubt. While the shift to a more streamlined sound for The Weeknd results in a bit of personality lost, the notion that the transition went as smoothly and as solidly as it did is impressive.
Bump |
| 2.5 average | AlexTM510 | October 17th 13 |
Tbh Kiss Land is probably a decent record, but because the Triology set the bar so damn high for The Weeknd. More than half of these songs come out sounding bland. Some of the songs such as "Professional",the sexy "Love In The Sky", and the controversial Portishead inspired "Belong To The World" suggest that The Weeknd can still make creative R&B tracks while maintaining an mainstream appeal. But unless he breaks the mold of his now major label influenced sound and repetitive story telling, Abel Tesfaye will continue to hit below the greatness his Trilogy was.
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| 0.0 | Brandon Scott EMERITUS | September 11th 13 |
back in the day, i would let abel bang my mom, now i wouldnt even let him bang my overweight sister
Bump |
| 0.0 | JazzHands333 | September 5th 13 |
"Basically a glorified Indicud" - The Wizard T
Bump |
| 3.5 great | DropdeadWHA | September 1st 13 |
Kiss Land is where the mystery begins to fade. The Weeknd slowly becomes the man he used to be: Abel Tesfaye.
Bump |
| 2.5 average | MrFemil | October 27th 23 |
| 2.5 average | Smevin | December 2nd 22 |
| 3.5 great | Denji | November 3rd 22 |
| 3.0 good | MvdW | November 3rd 22 |
| 2.5 average | osey | October 19th 22 |
| 2.5 average | kodama | September 9th 22 |
| 3.0 good | NyxArc | August 19th 22 |
| 2.0 poor | wwf | March 18th 22 |
| 3.0 good | Cayit | January 10th 22 |
| 3.5 great | heck | January 9th 22 |
| 4.0 excellent | DocBass | September 12th 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | Ryus | July 9th 21 |
| 2.5 average | Skoj | April 12th 21 |
| 2.5 average | fog CONTRIBUTOR | February 9th 21 |
| 2.5 average | Skiiddz | October 5th 20 |
| 3.5 great | Halez | October 1st 20 |
| 4.0 excellent | Zeuzo | August 29th 20 |
| 2.5 average | ilia | August 19th 20 |
| 2.5 average | Gillie | April 22nd 20 |
| 4.5 superb | Risodo | February 20th 20 |
| 5.0 classic | C. Deez | February 17th 20 |
| 2.5 average | Aeri | January 5th 20 |
| 1.0 awful | rebb | October 25th 19 |
| 2.5 average | peaks40 | August 23rd 19 |
| 2.5 average | john | August 5th 19 |
| 3.0 good | Adamn | May 8th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | OGGOD | May 4th 19 |
| 2.5 average | NickArk | August 24th 18 |
| 2.5 average | emmny | March 31st 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | TheCynic | November 29th 17 |
| 2.0 poor | Kurisu | September 16th 17 |
| 1.5 very poor | aiioli | June 17th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | bharry | June 3rd 17 |
| 2.0 poor | cylwrd | April 28th 17 |
| 2.0 poor | PaabL | April 27th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | alamo | April 13th 17 |
| 2.5 average | Luisito | February 7th 17 |
| 3.0 good | Krisa | December 31st 16 |
| 2.5 average | Wolfe | December 27th 16 |
| 3.0 good | Adamrk | December 16th 16 |
| 2.0 poor | JS19 | December 1st 16 |
| 3.5 great | cm7com | November 25th 16 |
| 2.5 average | Nrdrk | November 23rd 16 |
| 3.0 good | Henry | November 3rd 16 |
| 2.5 average | Brandon | October 23rd 16 |
| 3.0 good | Nights | October 17th 16 |
| 2.5 average | Snide | August 26th 16 |
| 1.5 very poor | tadeoc | August 25th 16 |
| 4.5 superb | Goblin | June 7th 16 |
| 2.5 average | jtswope | February 22nd 16 |
| 3.5 great | Naenia | November 2nd 15 |
| 2.5 average | Sleeves | September 5th 15 |
| 2.5 average | Jaqz | September 3rd 15 |
| 2.0 poor | iveau | August 26th 15 |
| 3.5 great | taytos | August 22nd 15 |
| 2.5 average | Runeii | July 28th 15 |
| 2.5 average | random | July 8th 15 |
| 2.0 poor | cvlts | May 27th 15 |
| 3.5 great | viri | March 11th 15 |
| 2.5 average | Lalka | December 26th 14 |
| 3.0 good | slaps | December 16th 14 |
| 2.5 average | Dunnus | December 13th 14 |
| 2.5 average | Arnypie | October 22nd 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | matzo | October 14th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | quik40 | September 25th 14 |
| 2.0 poor | oahmed | August 30th 14 |
| 5.0 classic | ilbron | February 11th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | DaveyBoy EMERITUS | February 8th 14 |
| 3.5 great | Kronzo | December 30th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Custy | November 29th 13 |
| 3.0 good | kojpl | November 21st 13 |
| 2.5 average | ticsand | November 18th 13 |
| 2.5 average | Viales | November 8th 13 |
| 3.0 good | wil94 | October 25th 13 |
| 2.5 average | ellagos | October 14th 13 |
| 2.0 poor | Wadlez | October 10th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Moraff | October 7th 13 |
| 3.5 great | lou1000 | September 30th 13 |
| 2.0 poor | Mendigo | September 26th 13 |
| 3.5 great | ryan10 | September 25th 13 |
| 3.5 great | Mojito | September 24th 13 |
| 2.5 average | craven | September 18th 13 |
| 3.0 good | djunior | September 17th 13 |
| 3.5 great | Surette | September 17th 13 |
| 3.0 good | WooHa | September 17th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | Narshh | September 16th 13 |
| 2.5 average | 00mee | September 13th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | kanker | September 12th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | jrowa001 | September 12th 13 |
| 2.0 poor | Matski | September 12th 13 |
| 2.0 poor | Rudy K. EMERITUS | September 12th 13 |
| 2.5 average | kingsoby1 EMERITUS | September 12th 13 |
| 3.0 good | merche | September 12th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | cirq | September 11th 13 |
| 3.0 good | Tupik | September 11th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | tkk | September 11th 13 |
| 2.5 average | cbjeeby | September 10th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | Caelum | September 10th 13 |
| 2.0 poor | Hep Kat | September 10th 13 |
| 3.0 good | iGuter | September 10th 13 |
| 3.0 good | Boozby | September 10th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | BigTuna | September 9th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | Sousa | September 9th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | warty891 | September 5th 13 |
| 5.0 classic | KTR71 | September 4th 13 |
| 5.0 classic | KTR91 | September 4th 13 |
| 5.0 classic | FTC91 | September 4th 13 |
| 5.0 classic | JTD2013 | September 4th 13 |
| 3.0 good | Mills | September 4th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | tarkus | September 4th 13 |
| 3.5 great | Antigen | September 3rd 13 |
| 2.5 average | Tyrael | September 2nd 13 |
| 3.5 great | Shimana | September 2nd 13 |
| 1.0 awful | Ire | September 2nd 13 |
| 3.5 great | xxxzzz | September 1st 13 |
| 3.0 good | ILJ | September 1st 13 |
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