The Weeknd – House of Balloons

Review

The Weeknd's debut mixtape, "House of Balloons," dropped on March 21, 2011, and stirred things up in the R&B and pop scenes. This album dives deep into love, heartbreak, and the wild side of party culture. Just ten minutes in, and you'll feel like you've stepped into a world that’s as much about heartbreak as it is about debauchery, truly a whole vibe on its own.

Musically, "House of Balloons" doesn’t play by the rules; it bends genres like nobody's business. We’ve got R&B taking a walk on the dark side with some rock and electro thrown into the mix. Production wise, it's a solid combo effort by the likes of Doc McKinney and Illangelo, punching through with moody samples from legends such as Aaliyah and indie darlings like Beach House.

If you want raw and introspective, look no further than The Weeknd's echoing vocals. Tracks like "Wicked Games" and "The Morning" bare his soul, painting pictures of nights lost to chasing elusive highs and mornings haunted by solitude. Despite being a free mixtape, this one packs the drive and polish of an album that influenced a whole wave of artists. The impact? Huge. We're talking setting-the-bar high huge, pushing indie R&B into the mainstream and giving even the chart-toppers a run for their money. - Livia