Are you a die-hard fan of The Weeknd, or just discovering Abel Tesfaye’s captivating blend of R&B, pop, and dark synthwave? Either way, tracing his evolution through his albums in chronological order is a thrilling ride. From the shadowy underground mixtapes that launched his career to the chart-topping blockbusters that defined modern music, this guide covers every major release. We’ve included Spotify embeds for easy listening, insightful overviews, and full tracklists to help you dive deep. Whether you’re reliving hits like “Blinding Lights” or exploring his early gems, let’s break it down album by album.
List Of The Weeknd Albums In Order By Year
| Album Title | Release Date |
|---|---|
| House of Balloons | March 21, 2011 |
| Thursday | August 18, 2011 |
| Echoes of Silence | December 21, 2011 |
| Trilogy | November 13, 2012 |
| Kiss Land | September 10, 2013 |
| Beauty Behind the Madness | August 28, 2015 |
| Starboy | November 25, 2016 |
| My Dear Melancholy, | March 30, 2018 |
| After Hours | March 20, 2020 |
| Dawn FM | January 7, 2022 |
| Hurry Up Tomorrow | January 24, 2025 |
The Weeknd Albums In Order: A Complete Guide with Tracklists and Spotify Embeds

House of Balloons (2011)
The Weeknd burst onto the scene with *House of Balloons*, a mixtape that redefined alternative R&B with its hazy, hedonistic vibes and mysterious anonymity. Released for free online in March 2011, it draws from samples like Siouxsie and the Banshees, blending drug-fueled narratives with ethereal production. Tracks explore themes of excess, love, and regret, earning critical acclaim and a cult following. This debut set the tone for his “Trilogy” era, influencing artists like Drake, who featured him on *Take Care*. At around 49 minutes, it’s a moody masterpiece that feels like a late-night confessional—perfect for introspective listens.
Tracklist:
1. High For This
2. What You Need
3. House Of Balloons / Glass Table Girls
4. The Morning
5. Wicked Games
6. The Party & The After Party
7. Coming Down
8. Loft Music
9. The Knowing
Thursday (2011)
Following up his breakout, *Thursday* arrived in August 2011 as the second mixtape in The Weeknd’s trilogy, delving deeper into isolation and toxic relationships. Clocking in at about 51 minutes, it features experimental sounds with collaborators like Drake on “The Zone,” mixing slow-burning beats with haunting vocals. The album’s sparse, atmospheric production captures a sense of wandering through emotional voids, with lyrics touching on fame’s loneliness and fleeting connections. It’s less accessible than its predecessor but rewards repeated listens, showcasing Abel’s growth as a storyteller. Fans hail it as an underrated gem that bridges his early rawness with later polish.
Tracklist:
1. Lonely Star
2. Life Of The Party
3. Thursday
4. The Zone (feat. Drake)
5. The Birds Pt. 1
6. The Birds Pt. 2
7. Gone
8. Rolling Stone
9. Heaven Or Las Vegas
Echoes of Silence (2011)
Closing out 2011’s mixtape trilogy in December, *Echoes of Silence* is The Weeknd’s most introspective early work, running around 45 minutes of melancholic reflections on love’s aftermath. Sampling artists like The Beach Boys, it amps up the vulnerability with French lyrics in “Montreal” and raw emotion in “XO / The Host.” This release solidified his enigmatic persona, blending cinematic production with confessional tales of heartbreak and self-destruction. It’s a fitting cap to his underground phase, earning praise for its maturity and paving the way for mainstream success. If you’re new, start here for a taste of his signature brooding style.
Tracklist:
1. D.D.
2. Montreal
3. Outside
4. XO / The Host
5. Initiation
6. Same Old Song (feat. Juicy J)
7. The Fall
8. Next
9. Echoes Of Silence
Trilogy (2012)
*Trilogy* compiles The Weeknd’s 2011 mixtapes into a remastered double album released in November 2012, adding three new tracks for a total runtime of over two hours. This major-label debut via Republic Records polishes the originals with enhanced mixing, introducing bonuses like “Till Dawn (Here Comes the Sun).” It captures his ascent from blog buzz to global intrigue, exploring debauchery and despair with hypnotic beats. Peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, it went multi-platinum and marked his shift to stardom. Ideal for binge-listening, it’s a cornerstone for understanding his dark, seductive world.
Tracklist:
1. High For This
2. What You Need
3. House Of Balloons / Glass Table Girls
4. The Morning
5. Wicked Games
6. The Party & The After Party
7. Coming Down
8. Loft Music
9. The Knowing
10. Twenty Eight (Bonus Track)
11. Lonely Star
12. Life Of The Party
13. Thursday
14. The Zone (feat. Drake)
15. The Birds Pt. 1
16. The Birds Pt. 2
17. Gone
18. Rolling Stone
19. Heaven Or Las Vegas
20. Valerie (Bonus Track)
21. D.D.
22. Montreal
23. Outside
24. XO / The Host
25. Initiation
26. Same Old Song (feat. Juicy J)
27. The Fall
28. Next
29. Echoes Of Silence
30. Till Dawn (Here Comes The Sun) (Bonus Track)
Kiss Land (2013)
The Weeknd’s first studio album, *Kiss Land*, dropped in September 2013, expanding his sound with international influences from his tours. At 55 minutes, it features cinematic tracks inspired by Tokyo nights and fleeting romances, with production nods to horror films. Hits like “Belong To The World” sample Portishead, while the title track paints vivid escapism. Though it received mixed reviews for its length, it debuted at No. 2 on Billboard and showed his artistic ambition. This era reflects his transition from mixtape mystery to polished performer— a must for fans craving atmospheric storytelling.
Tracklist:
1. Professional
2. The Town
3. Adaptation
4. Love In The Sky
5. Belong To The World
6. Live For (feat. Drake)
7. Wanderlust
8. Kiss Land
9. Pretty
10. Tears In The Rain
Beauty Behind the Madness (2015)
*Beauty Behind the Madness*, released in August 2015, catapulted The Weeknd to pop superstardom with its infectious hooks and star-studded features like Lana Del Rey and Ed Sheeran. Spanning 65 minutes, it balances dark themes with radio-friendly anthems, earning two Grammys and topping charts worldwide. Smash hits “Can’t Feel My Face” and “The Hills” amassed billions of streams, blending funk, R&B, and Michael Jackson-inspired energy. This album marks his commercial breakthrough, exploring fame’s duality and relationships. If you love upbeat yet introspective vibes, this is where his global dominance began.
Tracklist:
1. Real Life
2. Losers (feat. Labrinth)
3. Tell Your Friends
4. Often
5. The Hills
6. Acquainted
7. Can’t Feel My Face
8. Shameless
9. Earned It (Fifty Shades Of Grey)
10. In The Night
11. As You Are
12. Dark Times (feat. Ed Sheeran)
13. Prisoner (feat. Lana Del Rey)
14. Angel
Starboy (2016)
November 2016’s *Starboy* sees The Weeknd embracing synth-pop and collaborations with Daft Punk, Lana Del Rey, and Kendrick Lamar across 68 minutes. The title track became a massive hit, with the album debuting at No. 1 and exploring celebrity excess and reinvention. Tracks like “I Feel It Coming” evoke ’80s nostalgia, while “Party Monster” retains his edgy core. It won a Grammy and solidified his versatility, blending genres seamlessly. For those hooked on catchy, futuristic sounds, this record highlights his peak pop era—energetic, bold, and unapologetically starry.
Tracklist:
1. Starboy (feat. Daft Punk)
2. Party Monster
3. False Alarm
4. Reminder
5. Rockin’
6. Secrets
7. True Colors
8. Stargirl Interlude (feat. Lana Del Rey)
9. Sidewalks (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
10. Six Feet Under
11. Love To Lay
12. A Lonely Night
13. Attention
14. Ordinary Life
15. Nothing Without You
16. All I Know (feat. Future)
17. Die For You
18. I Feel It Coming (feat. Daft Punk)
My Dear Melancholy, (2018)
The Weeknd surprised fans with the EP *My Dear Melancholy,* in March 2018, a 22-minute return to his moody roots amid personal breakups. Featuring Gesaffelstein’s production, it channels raw heartbreak in tracks like “Call Out My Name,” rumored to reference Selena Gomez. The dark, trap-infused sound echoes his mixtapes, with vulnerable lyrics on loss and betrayal. Debuting at No. 1, it’s a concise emotional purge that bridges his pop phase to later works. If you crave intimate, late-night confessions, this EP is a poignant, underrated highlight in his catalog.
Tracklist:
1. Call Out My Name
2. Try Me
3. Wasted Times
4. I Was Never There (feat. Gesaffelstein)
5. Hurt You (feat. Gesaffelstein)
6. Privilege
After Hours (2020)
Released in March 2020 amid the pandemic, *After Hours* is a 56-minute synthwave odyssey inspired by ’80s films and personal turmoil. Hits like “Blinding Lights”—Spotify’s most-streamed song ever—and “Heartless” propelled it to No. 1 globally. The Weeknd adopts a bloodied, alter-ego aesthetic, tackling addiction, romance, and redemption with Max Martin’s glossy production. It’s his most cohesive work, blending nostalgia with modern edge. Fans love its cinematic feel; if isolation anthems resonate with you, this album captures that era perfectly.
Tracklist:
1. Alone Again
2. Too Late
3. Hardest To Love
4. Scared To Live
5. Snowchild
6. Escape From LA
7. Heartless
8. Faith
9. Blinding Lights
10. In Your Eyes
11. Save Your Tears
12. Repeat After Me (Interlude)
13. After Hours
14. Until I Bleed Out
Dawn FM (2022)
*Dawn FM*, out in January 2022, transforms The Weeknd’s sound into a 52-minute radio station concept album narrated by Jim Carrey. With ’80s synths and features from Tyler, the Creator and Lil Wayne, it explores aging, regret, and afterlife themes. Tracks like “Out of Time” sample classics, while “Take My Breath” pulses with disco energy. Debuting at No. 2, it’s a mature evolution praised for its thematic depth. Imagine tuning into a purgatory broadcast—engaging and innovative, it’s essential for fans seeking his conceptual brilliance.
Tracklist:
1. Dawn FM
2. Gasoline
3. How Do I Make You Love Me?
4. Take My Breath
5. Sacrifice
6. A Tale By Quincy
7. Out of Time
8. Here We Go… Again (feat. Tyler, the Creator)
9. Best Friends
10. Is There Someone Else?
11. Starry Eyes
12. Every Angel is Terrifying
13. Don’t Break My Heart
14. I Heard You’re Married (feat. Lil Wayne)
15. Less Than Zero
16. Phantom Regret by Jim
Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025)
The Weeknd’s sixth studio album, *Hurry Up Tomorrow*, released in January 2025, wraps his recent trilogy with an 84-minute epic blending psych-rock, electronic, and introspective lyrics. Features include Justice and Anitta, with tracks like “Timeless” featuring Playboi Carti hitting hard. Themed around time, mortality, and closure, it’s his most ambitious yet, drawing from film scores. Debuting at No. 1, it signals a potential end to his “The Weeknd” persona. Packed with surprises, it’s a bold finale—dive in if you’re ready for his evolving sonic universe.
Tracklist:
1. Wake Me Up (feat. Justice)
2. Cry For Me
3. I Can’t Fucking Sing
4. São Paulo (feat. Anitta)
5. Until We’re Skin and Bones
6. Baptized in Fear
7. Open Hearts (feat. Future)
8. Opening Night
9. Reflections Laughing
10. Enjoy the Show (feat. Future)
11. Given Up On Me
12. I Can’t Wait To Get There
13. Timeless (feat. Playboi Carti)
14. Niagara Falls
15. Take Me Back to LA
16. Big Sleep
17. Give Me Mercy
18. Drive
19. The Abyss (feat. Lana Del Rey)
20. Red Terror
21. Without A Warning
22. Hurry Up Tomorrow
Frequently Asked Questions About The Weeknd’s Albums
1. What is The Weeknd’s first album? The Weeknd’s debut is House of Balloons, a mixtape released on March 21, 2011. It introduced his signature dark R&B sound with tracks like “Wicked Games” and gained a cult following for its raw, atmospheric vibe.
2. How many studio albums does The Weeknd have? As of 2025, The Weeknd has six studio albums: Kiss Land (2013), Beauty Behind the Madness (2015), Starboy (2016), After Hours (2020), Dawn FM (2022), and Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025). He also released three mixtapes and the Trilogy compilation.
3. Which album features “Blinding Lights”? “Blinding Lights” is on After Hours, released in March 2020. It’s one of the most-streamed songs ever, showcasing The Weeknd’s ’80s-inspired synth-pop evolution.
4. What’s the difference between Trilogy and the original mixtapes? Trilogy (2012) is a remastered compilation of House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence with three bonus tracks. It polished the original mixtapes’ sound for a major-label release.
5. Is Hurry Up Tomorrow The Weeknd’s final album? Released in January 2025, Hurry Up Tomorrow is hinted to be the final chapter of his recent trilogy and possibly his last as “The Weeknd.” However, Abel Tesfaye has not confirmed retiring the persona.
Conclusion
The Weeknd’s discography is a remarkable journey through sound and emotion, from the gritty, mysterious mixtapes of 2011 to the cinematic, chart-dominating Hurry Up Tomorrow in 2025. Each album showcases Abel Tesfaye’s growth, blending R&B, pop, and experimental elements while exploring themes of love, excess, and redemption. With iconic hits like “Can’t Feel My Face” and “Blinding Lights,” he’s redefined modern music. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new listener, diving into his albums in order—complete with Spotify embeds and tracklists—offers a front-row seat to his evolution. Keep streaming, and let The Weeknd’s haunting melodies guide your next late-night vibe.

