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Rihanna: `Rated R'
A year ago, Rihanna was the perfect woman who had everything: successful musical career with multi-platinum albums and a famous boyfriend, Chris Brown, who had just as meteoric a career
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A
year ago, Rihanna was the perfect woman who had everything: successful musical career with multi-platinum albums and a famous boyfriend, Chris Brown, who had just as meteoric a career.
But the happy story turned into a sad song when Brown reportedly assaulted the Barbados-born singer.
Months after the domestic abuse incident, Rihanna staged a comeback by releasing her fourth original studio album Rated R.
Through this album, Rihanna seems want to show many people (perhaps Brown as well) that she is a strong woman who can survive in any circumstances.
The album cover - a black and white head shot of the singer - reflects her current mood.
The 12 tracks, not including the interlude Mad House at the beginning, pretty much features her personal darkness.
The first single, "Russian Roulette", is a reminder of living in fear in a relationship that could end at any moment, just like a random shot from a gun.
She expresses her feelings through the lyrics: "You can see my heart beating. You can see it through my chest. I'm terrified but I'm not leaving. I know that I must pass this test. So, just pull the trigger."
The fourth track, "Stupid In Love", is a mid-tempo groove. She sings, "Don't talk to me like I'm stupid". In the middle in a passage about her being an idiot since her friends have told her he is not the one, while she sings about him "acting like a bad guy" on the last part of the track. The lyrics go: "I still love you/But I just cant do this/I may be dumb but/I'm not stupid".
She also shows off her strength on "Hard", describing herself as tougher than a lion.
Rihanna's collaborates with guitarist Slash on "Rockstar 101", a rock, R&B and electronic combination reminiscent of Lady Gaga's sounds.
"Rude Boy" takes us to the fun Rihanna with a song about her feelings for a man, while "Photographs", a collaboration with Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas, tells a tale of missing ex-lovers.
Justin Timberlake collaborates on "Cold Case Love", another melancholy song in which she pours out all the anger and sadness of losing the love of her life.
This might be an album that Rihanna's fans will love or hate as it shows "a different Rihanna". There are no light, upbeat tracks like "Umbrella", "Shut Up and Drive" or "Please Don't Stop the Music".
Even though it has a dark feel, Rated R still has impressive aspects like the consistent mood in Rihanna's vocals, instrumentation and lyrics.
Three out of five stars
- Triwik Kurniasari
