Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Chart topping songstress and Barbadian beauty Rihanna is certainly one of the hardest working players in the music industry; Unapologetic is her seventh studio album in seven years. In additon to her music, her theatrical film debut in sci-fi flick Battleship earlier this year, a seemingly rollercoaster personal life, and her edgy fashion sense, have seen Rihanna as a permanent feature in the entertainment news.
She has previously said of her ever-strengthening music career, “[being a role model] became more of my job than I wanted it to be. But no, I just want to make music. That’s it”. That ‘I don’t give a damn’ attitude is part of what appeals to her fans and that’s exactly what they’ll get in Unapologetic.
The sound:
Rihanna’s pop and R&B sound has evolved over the years and Unapologetic is no exception; there’s a bit of everything including ventures into reggae and a lot of heavy dubstep drops, and some slower tracks.
The tracks:
Opening track Phresh Out The Runway hits you hard straight away like an ice shower with a booming bass and beat, and explicit lyrics that sound like they’re being spat out. Diamonds is already the fastest-rising single of her career to date with its driving melody which showcases her strong and certain vocals.
One track that can’t go unmentioned… Rihanna and fellow singer Chris Brown put everyone in their place with Michael Jackson-esque duet Nobody’s Business which appears to be a message to the world about their rumoured rekindled controversial romance after Chris assaulted her back in 2009. The song itself is catchy, but the lyrical content given the previous circumstances is raising eyebrows around the globe.
The ballads and slower songs are where Rihanna really shines on this album – Stay and reggae track Get It Over With temporarily leave behind any hard attitudes and show a softer side to the singer.
The verdict:
Unapologetic feels a little chaotic; with tracks and sounds going off in different directions, you can’t help but feel that it’s a musical reflection of what Rihanna’s life is like at the moment. The chart-topping superstar proves she’s not running out of hits and is showing no sign of slowing down; fans won’t be disappointed.
For more info on Rihanna, visit www.rihanna7.com.
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