With every album she produces,
Rihanna becomes a
stronger and stronger artist.
Originally not a fan, I was converted
after hearing “Love the
Way You Lie.”
Her voice has been all over
the radio since the releases of
“Rude Boy” and “Love the
Way You Lie” featuring
Eminem; finally Rihanna’s
album “Loud” was released on
Nov 16.
Opening the album is the
track “S&M,”, a promiscuous
track about exactly what the
title entails. She belts out the
lines “I may be bad/ but I’m
perfectly good at it.”
This album features collaborations
with Drake, Nicki
Minaj, and Eminem. In the
song “What’s My Name” featuring
Drake, her Caribbean
roots are apparent in the beat
and vibe of the song. Also, her
accent is heard more clearly
now, than in previous tracks
she recorded.
She is quoted as saying she
“wants to bring some of the fun
the Caribbean fun to the U.S,”
which is very apparent in this
album. The tracks are a mixture
of emotionally-fuelled
ballads.
Songs such as “Fading,”
“California King Bed” and
“Love the Way You Lie (Part
II)” express a softer side to the
singer who is normally known
for her more upbeat songs.
These songs show off her
voice more than
others she has
performed in the
past. She belts
out each song
with passion, particularly
“Love
the Way You Lie
(Part II).”
“Love the Way
You Lie” has
been all over the
radio since its
summer release.
Rihanna and
Eminem combined
on the
powerful song,
which tells the
story of an abusive
relationship.
Famously, ex-boyfriend
Chris Brown assaulted
Rihanna the day of the 2009
Grammys. Her passion in the
song is haunting due to her
real-life experience.
In “Love the Way You Lie
(Part II)”, the song is much
more of a ballad. At the end
Eminem chants a completely
different rap that builds more
and is just as effective as the
one performed in the original.
This song talks more about
the mourning of the loss of a
perfect relationship and feeling
of withdrawal.
When Eminem’s rap begins
the story comes full circle in
lines such as “try and touch me
so I can tell you not to touch
me,” discussing the volatility
of an abusive relationship.
With seven number ones
under her belt, this 22-year-old
singer continues to produce
music that is universally relatable.
And on this album, she
mixes many of the tracks with
a real Caribbean flavor.