Rihanna… anna… anna… It takes around 30 seconds into her first song before the pop princess drops her first F-bomb. So it's business as normal, so far. What's worrying about Rihanna's latest stab, actually, what's troubling, are the messages lurking behind her music. Take Nobody's Business, her controversial duet with Chris Brown – the same Chris Brown who slapped her silly not so long ago. It's not an easy listen to hear a young, talented women talk so openly about domestic violence with her abuser. What's more bizarre is that she's talking about forgiveness and loving again. If Rihanna's not making snugly with Brown, she's talking dirty and swearing.
Diamonds, which was written by Sia, is little more than Rihanna going through the motions and Phresh Out The Runway is all over the place and sounds more like an old rave anthem that modern-day pop. Loveeeeeee Song wins the award for dumbest title and also worst song on the album (it's deadly dull) while piano lullaby Stay displays a softer side. Numb, her connect with Eminem, fares better while there's the obligatory David Guetta appearance as the man-everywhere lends a hand to Right Now, a decent attempt at electro pop without the remarkable synths of her memorable collaboration with Calvin Harris. Towards the end of Unapologetic she asks, 'What's love without tragedy?' Surely fans seek to know why Rihanna believes tragedy and love have a relationship.
But who said pop music is bland? Unapologetic is vocally daring, brave, expressive and her best creative yield thus far. It's also a colossal one fingered salute and a fuck you to outsiders.
