Hot off the heels of his killer 2015 MTV Video Music Awards performance and the August 28 release of his second album "Beauty Behind the Madness," The Weeknd continues his whirlwind success with a new song, "Prisoner," featuring guest vocals from sultry songstress Lana Del Rey.
Abel Tesfaye, better known by his stage name The Weeknd, made history this week when 10 of the 14 songs on his newly released sophomore album "Beauty Behind the Madness" debuted on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for Sept. 19, according to Billboard.
His collaboration with indie darling Lana Del Rey ("Summertime Sadness"), a haunting track called "Prisoner" made its debut at number 47on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song begins with deep-toned synth, something Lana Del Rey fans would easily recognize. It's definitely slower than The Weeknd's previous hit, "I Can't Feel My Face," but it showcases his singing voice as he hits falsetto notes in the pre-chorus. Del Rey then comes in, supplying backing vocals for the chorus.
But she takes over on the second verse, her seductive raspy voice sounding right at home amongst the hazy sound effects. Her performance adds a haunting tone to the song, giving the song's lyrics about addicting love a deeper, darker meaning.
The Weeknd and Lana Del Rey's collaboration seemed like a natural one, seeing as the artists share similarities in their music, music website Stereogum noted.
"The Weeknd and Lana Del Rey both sing slow, sad, narcotically tinged songs about the toll of the party lifestyle," Stereogum wrote, "and both of them somehow make that work in a pop context."
Check out the track below.
