The Weeknd released at least two works of music.
The Weeknd . He released two further independent projects later that year , Thursday and Echoes of Silence , before signing to Republic Records in September 2012 . The three mixtapes received widespread critical acclaim upon release , and proceeded the release of the compilation album Trilogy . The Weeknd released his second album , Beauty Behind the Madness , in 2015 , breaking chart records in the process . He released his third studio album , Starboy , in 2016 to generally positive critical reception .