It's not same kind of music. The Weeknd is darker druggy type of moody rnb, in certain mind state it can hit a nerve, like formidable does.
Stromae is a mix of genres I rarely listen to, euro dance (lol), house and pop synth-ish electro. Just try more of stuff from an artist if first impression is good.
Language barrier is annoying, but I stopped caring about that since I can't change it. Listen to plenty of French music (mainly hiphop / carribean) ,better just feel it if you can't understand it.