Jump to content

House of Balloons

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the album. For its title track, see House of Balloons / Glass Table Girls.
House of Balloons
A black-and-white image of a topless woman sitting in a tiled room surrounded and partially obscured by balloons
Mixtape by
the Weeknd
ReleasedMarch 21, 2011
Recorded2009–2011
GenreAlternative R&B[1]
Length49:34
LabelXO
Producer
The Weeknd chronology
House of Balloons
(2011) 		Thursday
(2011)
Singles from House of Balloons
  1. "Wicked Games"
    Released: September 25, 2012
  2. "Twenty Eight"
    Released: November 13, 2012

House of Balloons is the debut mixtape by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released on March 21, 2011, by the artist's own record label XO. The mixtape was released for free on the Weeknd's website and was the subject of increased media discussion upon the use of its songs on television, as well as the then-anonymous identity of the individual behind the Weeknd. House of Balloons was entirely recorded in Toronto, with production handled primarily by the Weeknd, Doc McKinney, and Illangelo, alongside additional contributions from Cirkut, Jeremy Rose and Rainer. Its title is derived from the nickname the singer gave to his former home in Parkdale, Toronto.

The mixtape received widespread acclaim, with critics praising its dark aesthetic, production, and lyrical content. It is widely regarded as a major influence on contemporary R&B music, being credited for pioneering alternative R&B. Musically, House of Balloons mixes R&B with elements of rock, electro, and hip-hop. Lyrically, the mixtape explores the Weeknd's drug use and experiences with love, heartbreak, and promiscuity.

House of Balloons was commercially released as part of the compilation album Trilogy (2012) and included the singles "Wicked Games" and "Twenty Eight", the latter of which is a bonus track. On its tenth anniversary, the original mixtape was released in digital formats, and included samples which failed to gain copyright clearance on Trilogy. The reissue was accompanied by a limited edition line of merchandise designed by architect Daniel Arsham.

Background and production

[edit]

Before work on House of Balloons began, the Weeknd first released music through YouTube in 2009,[2] working as part of a hip-hop duo called 'Bulleez n Nerdz', under the stage name Kin Kane.[3] During this time, he was also a part of a songwriting and production team called 'the Noise', who wrote demos intended for artists such as Drake,[4] Justin Timberlake, and Chris Brown.[3]

In 2010, the Weeknd met the producer Jeremy Rose through mutual friends in Toronto. Rose began playing multiple songs he made in Ableton, including the instrumental for "What You Need". After the Weeknd freestyled over it, Rose asked him if he wanted to work together as a "dark R&B project".[5] Their sessions together led to the creation of three other tracks from House of Balloons, the first part of "The Party & the After Party", "Loft Music", and an early version of "The Morning".[5] Rose discontinued working on the project due to creative differences, but he allowed the Weeknd to use the songs they produced together,[6] under the condition that he would receive production credits.[7]

In December 2010, the Weeknd met the producer Illangelo through multiple studio sessions together, which led to the creation of an early version of "Glass Table Girls" and songs that later appeared on the Weeknd's second mixtape, Thursday.[8] For the mixtape's opener, "High for This", the Weeknd met the producer Cirkut through a mutual friend, which led to its creation after a session at Cirkut's home studio.[9] Cirkut later introduced him to Doc McKinney in January 2011. McKinney played the Weeknd multiple instrumentals, including the mixtape's title track, made sometime in 2009.[9] While working on the title track, the Weeknd's desire to rap led to McKinney improvising another beat, a reworked version of "Glass Table Girls".[10] McKinney and the Weeknd began further work that same month, Illangelo returning to the studio with them. As weeks progressed, they realized that the songs connected together, leading to their decision to release the mixtape free of charge.[8]

Promotion

[edit]

Title and artwork

[edit]

The mixtape's title originates from a house the Weeknd and his friends used to live at in Parkdale, Toronto. He explained that he and his friends would throw parties, and they would add balloons to make it more celebratory.[3] Its cover art depicts a woman with her face obscured by balloons, and her left breast exposed.[11] The Weeknd asked his friend La Mar Taylor for a cover photo, since the mixtape was ready for release. Taylor shot the cover at his house with his ex-girlfriend.[12]

Release and marketing

[edit]

House of Balloons was initially released free of charge via a zip folder on March 21, 2011.[9] After signing with Republic Records in September 2012, the Weeknd worked to clear samples present in the mixtape, in order to re-release it as part of his compilation album, Trilogy (2012). The sample present in "What You Need", Aaliyah's "Rock the Boat", was excluded.[13] Alongside the release of Trilogy, a new song, "Twenty Eight", was included as a bonus track for the House of Balloons disc.[14] The mixtape's remastered version was later released as an LP record on August 14, 2015, which included "Twenty Eight".[15]

House of Balloons was preceded by three promotional singles, released via YouTube in December 2010, being "What You Need", "The Morning", and "Loft Music".[16] In May 2011, "High for This" was used in promotional material for the HBO original series Entourage.[17] After multiple unofficial music videos, the Weeknd released his first official music video on November 24, for "The Knowing", directed by Mikael Columbu.[18] The mixtape's first single, "Wicked Games", was serviced to rhythmic contemporary radio on September 25, 2012.[19] It became the Weeknd's first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 53.[20] Its self-directed music video was released on October 18, 2012.[21] "Twenty Eight" was released as the second single for both House of Balloons and Trilogy on November 13.[22]

To commemorate its ten-year anniversary, the Weeknd released House of Balloons to streaming services with all of its original samples present on March 21, 2021.[23] Alongside the release, the artist Daniel Arsham created special artwork for a limited-edition LP record, alongside merchandise for the mixtape.[24]

Music

[edit]

House of Balloons is categorized as an alternative R&B record,[1] further incorporating elements of dream pop,[25] electro,[26] and rock.[26] In a 2013 interview with Complex, the Weeknd stated that House of Balloons, alongside the two mixtapes that followed its release, were not mixed or mastered because he "didn't feel like they were [his] albums", instead treating them like mixtapes. He stated that the mixtape symbolizes his experiences in Toronto.[27]

House of Balloons explores the loneliness of partying late in the night, but it does not "glamorize" this lifestyle.[28]

Songs

[edit]

The mixtape's opening track, "High for This", is described as a "darkwave and bedroom R&B" song.[29]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?8.0/10[30]
Metacritic87/100[31]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[32]
The A.V. ClubB+[33]
The Boston Phoenix[34]
Consequence of Sound[35]
Drowned in Sound8/10[36]
Fact4/5[37]
Now4/5[38]
Pitchfork8.5/10[39]
PopMatters9/10[40]

House of Balloons received widespread critical acclaim. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, House of Balloons received a weighted average score of 87 based on 16 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[31] Sean Fennessey of The Village Voice was impressed by the mixtape, calling it "patient, often gorgeous, and consistently louche... with the sort of blown-out underbelly and echo-laden crooning that has already made Drake's less-than-a-year-old Thank Me Later such an influential guidepost."[41] Maegan McGregor of Exclaim! stated that House of Balloons "easily stands as one of the year's best debuts so far, hipster, top 40 or otherwise."[42] Sputnikmusic's Tyler Fisher said that "despite being a free album, House of Balloons feels like a true album, a true labor of love."[43] Tom Ewing of The Guardian felt that while the Weeknd's vocals and lyrics on House of Balloons "aren't especially strong by R&B standards," much of the album's attention was attracted by its strong command of mood.[44]

In December 2011, Metacritic determined that House of Balloons was the third best-reviewed project of the year.[45] AnyDecentMusic? ranked it at number 10 on its list of compilation of the rankings of the best 2011 albums from 30 magazines, newspapers and websites.[46] Additionally, the mixtape was featured on several music critics' and publications' end-of-year albums lists. Complex called it the "best album of 2011;"[47] Stereogum ranked it number 5;[48] The Guardian ranked it number 8;[49] The A.V. Club ranked it number 6;[50] SPIN ranked it (as well as Thursday) number 13;[51] while Pitchfork ranked it number 10.[52] As a whole, House of Balloons was the seventh most frequently mentioned album in music publications' year-end top ten lists.[53] The mixtape was named as one of the longlisted of nominees for the 2011's Polaris Music Prize.[54] The mixtape's title track was placed on Pitchfork's list of top 100 songs of 2011 at number 57, while "The Morning" was number 15.[55] In 2021, it was listed at No. 488 on Rolling Stone's "Top 500 Best Songs of All Time".[56]

Track listing

[edit]

House of Balloons was originally set to come out with 14 tracks. The Weeknd told Complex in 2013 that "Crew Love", "Shot for Me" and "The Ride" from Drake's second studio album were supposed to be on the mixtape.[27]

House of Balloons standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."High for This"
4:07
2."What You Need"
  • Tesfaye
  • Jeremy Rose
  • Rose
  • The Weeknd
3:26
3."House of Balloons / Glass Table Girls"
6:47
4."The Morning"
  • Tesfaye
  • McKinney
  • Montagnese
  • Doc McKinney
  • Illangelo
5:15
5."Wicked Games"
  • Tesfaye
  • McKinney
  • Montagnese
  • Rainer Millar Blanchaer
  • Doc McKinney
  • Illangelo
5:25
6."The Party & the After Party"
  • Rose
  • The Weeknd
  • Blanchaer
7:39
7."Coming Down"
  • Tesfaye
  • McKinney
  • Montagnese
  • Doc McKinney
  • Illangelo
4:55
8."Loft Music"
  • Tesfaye
  • Rose
  • Legrand
  • Scally
  • Rose
  • The Weeknd
6:04
9."The Knowing"
  • Doc McKinney
  • Illangelo
5:41
Total length:49:19
2012 reissue bonus track[57][58]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
10."Twenty Eight"
  • Tesfaye
  • McKinney
  • Montagnese
  • McKinney
  • Illangelo
4:18
Total length:53:37

Sample credits

  • "What You Need" contains a sample of "Rock the Boat" performed by Aaliyah that is not present on the Trilogy release.
  • "House of Balloons / Glass Table Girls" contains a sample of "Happy House" performed by Siouxsie and the Banshees.
  • "The Party & The After Party" contains a sample of "Master of None" performed by Beach House.
  • "Coming Down" contains a voice sample from the anime Fate/stay night that is not present on the Trilogy release.
  • "Loft Music" contains a sample of "Gila" performed by Beach House.
  • "The Knowing" contains a sample of "Cherry-Coloured Funk" performed by Cocteau Twins.

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from Tidal, which are in turn adapted from the liner notes of Trilogy.[6]

  • Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd) – lead vocals, songwriting/composition, additional production (all tracks)
  • Carlo Montagnese (Illangelo) – mixing (all tracks), production (tracks 3–5, 7, 9 & 10), songwriting/composition (tracks 3–5, 7, 9 & 10), recording engineer (tracks 3–10),
  • Martin McKinney (Doc McKinney) – production (tracks 3–5, 7, 9 & 10), songwriting/composition (tracks 3–5, 7 9 & 10) recording engineer (tracks 3–10)
  • Henry Walter (Cirkut) − production, songwriting, recording engineer (track 1)
  • Jeremy Rose (Zodiac) − production (tracks 2, 6 & 8), songwriting (tracks 2, 4, 6 & 8), recording engineer (track 2)
  • Matthew Acton − assistant recording engineer (tracks 3, 4, 6–9)
  • William Brock − guitar (track 4)
  • Rainer Millar Blanchaer − songwriting (tracks 5 & 6), production (track 6)
  • Adrian Eccleston – guitar (track 9)
  • Shin Kamiyama – assistant recording engineer (track 10)

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for House of Balloons
Chart (2015–2024) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[59] 40
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[60] 139
US Billboard 200[61] 113
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[62] 10
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[63] 37
US Vinyl Albums (Billboard)[64] 4

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for House of Balloons
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[65] Gold 35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[66] Platinum 80,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[67] Gold 100,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for House of Balloons
Region Date Label(s) Format(s) Edition Ref.
Various March 21, 2011 XO
9-track free of charge [68]
August 14, 2015
LP 10-track remastered [15]
March 21, 2021
  • Digital download
  • streaming
  • LP
 Original 9-track [23]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Abebe, Nitsuh (August 14, 2011). "R&B Records With an Indie Affect". New York. Archived from the original on March 20, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  2. ^ High, Kemet (December 27, 2019). "10-Year High: The Weeknd's Game-Changing Decade". Paper. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Eells, Josh (October 21, 2015). "Sex, Drugs and R&B: Inside the Weeknd's Dark Twisted Fantasy". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 12, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  4. ^ Osei, Anthony (May 23, 2011). "Listen to a Song The Weeknd Recorded for Drake in 2009". Complex Networks. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  5. ^ a b McGuire, Patrick (March 22, 2012). "How the Producer of the Weeknd's Breakout Tracks Got Majorly Screwed". Vice. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Credits / Trilogy / The Weeknd". Tidal. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  7. ^ Hudson, Alex (March 22, 2012). "Beefs 2012: Toronto Producer Zodiac Dishes on His Nasty Fallout with the Weeknd". Exclaim!. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Nelson Jr, Keith (April 29, 2021). "Studio Sessions | Illangelo talks The Weeknd's 'House of Balloons,' Drake, and 'After Hours'". Revolt. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c Gonzalez, Alex (March 19, 2021). "The Weeknd's 'House Of Balloons' Launched A Pop Career Shrouded In Mystery". MTV. Archived from the original on August 10, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  10. ^ Scarano, Ross (November 21, 2019). "Songs That Defined the Decade: The Weeknd's 'House of Balloons/Glass Table Girls'". Billboard. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  11. ^ Gracie, Bianca (March 21, 2021). "The Weeknd's 'House Of Balloons' Soundtracked The Doom Generation". Uproxx. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  12. ^ Williams, Ryan (March 24, 2017). "Meet La Mar Taylor, The Weeknd's High School Friend Turned Creative Director". Complex Networks. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  13. ^ Hampp, Andrew (November 12, 2012). "The Weeknd & Reps Talk Clearing Samples, Touring For 'Trilogy' Release". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  14. ^ Ramirez, Erika (October 18, 2012). "The Weeknd Reveals 'Trilogy' Tracklist, Debuts 'Wicked Games' Video". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Wynne-Morgan, William (August 26, 2015). "The Weeknd's breakthrough mixtape House of Balloons gets official vinyl release". The Vinyl Factory. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  16. ^ Caramanica, Jon (December 31, 2010). "Screams That Charmed, and Other Overlooked Highlights". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  17. ^ Osei, Anthony (May 22, 2011). "Video: The Weeknd's "High For This" is Entourage's Season 8 Promo Song". Complex Networks. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  18. ^ Lapatine, Scott (November 24, 2011). "The Weeknd – "The Knowing" Video". Stereogum. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  19. ^ "Rhythm – Available For Airplay". FMQB. Archived from the original on August 27, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  20. ^ "The Weeknd | Biography, Music & News". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  21. ^ Young, Alex (October 18, 2012). "Video: The Weeknd – "Wicked Games"". Consequence. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  22. ^ "Twenty Eight – Single". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on November 13, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  23. ^ a b "The Weeknd to re-release 'House of Balloons' for 10-year anniversary". Revolt. March 18, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  24. ^ Osei, Sarah (March 21, 2021). "The Weeknd Enlists Daniel Arsham For A 10th Anniversary Reissue of 'House of Balloons'". Highsnobiety. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  25. ^ Adofo, Christian (March 29, 2011). "The Weeknd "House of Balloons"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  26. ^ a b "Review: The Weeknd 'House of Balloons'". Vibe. March 31, 2011. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  27. ^ a b "The Weeknd: Kiss And Tell (2013 Cover Story)". Complex. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  28. ^ "How House of Balloons Changed R&B". The Fader. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  29. ^ "The 50 Best Weeknd Songs - Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. February 14, 2022. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  30. ^ "House of Balloons by The Weeknd reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Archived from the original on May 9, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  31. ^ a b "Reviews for House of Balloons by The Weeknd". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 5, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  32. ^ Kellman, Andy. "House of Balloons – The Weeknd". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 14, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  33. ^ Rytlewski, Evan (April 5, 2011). "The Weeknd: House of Balloons". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on January 8, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  34. ^ Battan, Carrie (April 27, 2011). "The Weeknd | House of Balloons". The Boston Phoenix. Archived from the original on March 1, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  35. ^ Koren, Daniel (April 13, 2011). "Album Review: The Weeknd – House of Balloons". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  36. ^ Pott-Negrine, David (August 3, 2011). "Album Review: The Weeknd – House of Balloons". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on April 13, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  37. ^ Lea, Tom (April 1, 2011). "The Weeknd: House of Balloons". Fact. Archived from the original on October 20, 2016. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  38. ^ Ritchie, Kevin (March 31, 2011). "The Weeknd – House Of Balloons". Now. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  39. ^ Colly, Joe (March 29, 2011). "The Weeknd: House of Balloons". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on November 12, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  40. ^ Beasley, Corey (May 9, 2011). "The Weeknd: House of Balloons". PopMatters. Archived from the original on August 11, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  41. ^ Fennessey, Sean (March 23, 2011). "Love vs. Money: The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, and R&B's Future Shock". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on May 12, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2011.
  42. ^ McGregor, Maegan (March 28, 2011). "Get the Latest from the Weeknd, Teenage Kicks, TV on the Radio and More in This Week's Click Hear Roundup". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on November 26, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2011.
  43. ^ Fisher, Tyler (March 25, 2011). "The Weeknd – House of Balloons". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved March 29, 2011.
  44. ^ Ewing, Tom (March 24, 2011). "The Weeknd's VIP Area Exposé Was Made for the Indie Crowd". The Guardian. Archived from the original on October 1, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2011.
  45. ^ "The Best Albums of 2011". Metacritic. December 30, 2011. Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  46. ^ "The ADM Poll Of Polls 2011". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  47. ^ "The 25 Best Albums of 2011". Complex. December 19, 2011. Archived from the original on December 27, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  48. ^ "Stereogum's Top 50 Albums of 2011". Pitchfork. December 5, 2011. Archived from the original on June 13, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  49. ^ "Best albums of 2011". The Guardian. December 7, 2011. Archived from the original on June 18, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
  50. ^ "The best music of 2011". The A.V. Club. December 6, 2011. Archived from the original on December 28, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
  51. ^ "SPIN's 50 Best Albums of 2011". Spin. December 12, 2011. Archived from the original on October 2, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
  52. ^ "Staff Lists: The Top 50 Albums of 2011". Pitchfork. December 15, 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
  53. ^ "2011 Music Critic Top Ten Lists". Metacritic. January 7, 2012. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  54. ^ "2011 Polaris Music Prize Long List announced" Archived October 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. aux.tv, June 16, 2011.
  55. ^ "The Top 100 Tracks of 2011". Pitchfork. December 12, 2011. Archived from the original on November 16, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  56. ^ "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. September 15, 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  57. ^ "House of Balloons – The Weeknd". AllMusic. Archived from the original on September 30, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  58. ^ "House of Balloons by The Weeknd". iTunes Store (US). Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  59. ^ "Ultratop.be – The Weeknd – House of Balloons" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  60. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – The Weeknd – House of Balloons". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  61. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  62. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  63. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  64. ^ "The Weeknd Chart History (Vinyl Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  65. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  66. ^ "Canadian album certifications – The Weeknd – House of Balloons". Music Canada. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  67. ^ "British album certifications – The Weeknd – House of Balloons". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  68. ^ Fitzmaurice, Larry (March 21, 2011). "Grab the Weeknd's Debut Mixtape". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=House_of_Balloons&oldid=1254076579"