Ever since her unfortunate altercation with Chris Brown in 2009, Rihanna has taken that experience to heart. It was very apparent in the heartfelt and dark “Rated R” released that same year. She was able to mask the pain with her 2010 blockbuster “Loud”, and then she slowly started to slip into a slump with 2011’s “Talk That Talk”. Perhaps it was time to change the game, even though releasing yet another album would prove only Rihanna’s overly consistent nature. She bares it all on the cover of “Unapologetic”, which suggests that RiRi would be the bold and innovative just as she was in 2007 with “Good Girl Gone Bad”. But her mission for improvement seems to be more of a dream with every passing album. As the years go by, Rihanna gets colder, harder, darker, and more distant. The lead single “Diamonds” is a refreshing exception, for as simple as it is, it’s still very addictive. But unlike other pop albums in 2012, the lead single is not the best track on the album. Even though much of “Unapologetic” does not push the envelope or head in any certain direction, there are still tiny moments where Rihanna shines bright. “Lost in Paradise” is a perfect example, along with “Nobody’s Business” with Chris Brown, which is no doubt another attempt to justify Rihanna’s love for her abuser. All of these tracks are found within the second half of the album, because aside from “Diamonds”, the first half is about as generic as rap-pop gets in 2012. And while “Diamonds” has simple lyrical content, the rest of the first half has barely any lyrics, just fuzzy beats and simpering voice overlays. Even the appearances of Eminem and Future cannot breathe life into these dreary tunes. But “Jump” is another exception and the David Guetta produced “Right Now” shakes things up slightly, only to keep the interest. But while the first half is definitely flawed, the second half is only slightly better. It focuses more on rock/pop and saccharine ballads. Somehow, one always manages to eclipse the other, resulting in a mess of roaring guitars, strained vocals and clumsy beats. Even though the seven minute long “Love Without Tragedy/Mother Mary” lightens the murk, it cannot illuminate it. Perhaps Rihanna would be better off if she just faced her emotions about her and Chris’ fight instead of covering them up with this mess of an album. There’s no doubt that Rihanna’s effort to make music and make it sellable is there, but if she continues to let her own mind get in the way of her music she won’t have many hits left.
A person
can change a lot in seven years. We all know RiRi is not the same 17-year old
who fired up the charts with “Pon De Replay”, but her identity crisis has never
been so apparent the way it is here. She can’t decide whether or not she’s fine
with her assault, or if she secretly resents it, even when she proclaims her
feelings for Chris. Whatever the case, the fact that her music has now started
to slip into darkness is even more unfortunate. There’s nothing bold or
unapologetic about this album.
Recommended Tracks in Bold:
1. Phresh Off the Runway 2. Diamonds 3. Numb
4. Pour It Up 5. Loveeee Song 6. Jump
7. Right Now 8. What Now? 9. Stay
10. Nobody's Business 11. Love Without Tragedy/Mother Mary
12. Get It Over With 13. No Love Allowed 14. Lost in Paradise
No comments:
Post a Comment