It took Rihanna approximately 3 years, 2 months, and 8 days to release a follow-up album to ‘Unapologetic’. Prior to this, the longest it took Rihanna to release an album was two years – So what gives? My guess is that she was trying to find her sound, as her promo singles for this album ‘fourfiveseconds’ (Featuring the self-proclaimed greatest artist of all-time Kanye West), and ‘Bitch Better Have My Money’ (Featuring the I-proclaimed ugliest man of all time Travis Scott), didn’t provide her with enough buzz. Well Rihanna went ahead and released ‘Anti’, leaving us with a lot to speculate: What type of sound would it have? Which stripper would she glamorize? What the hell does ANTI mean? Well let’s find out as we rate her brand new album!  

This song has a very interesting sound: It’s different in either a good way, or a bad way depending on if you cleaned the wax from your ear or not. It’ s very mellow, and old school to me; It’s Mary J Blige when she was dressing up like a 14 year old black boy from the 90’s. I didn’t know Rihanna was capable of this sound, and I still don’t think she is.

The production is what shines the most on this song! It’s purpose is to drown you out, as Rihanna’s soothing voice makes you daydream about your bed.

Is it Rihanna’s best song to date? Not at all. Is it her most experimental song to date? Maybe!

SZA and Rihanna! I love that mix!

SZA is that weird alternative singer that would probably go on a date with you, and claim she can’t pay the bill because her spiritual self doesn’t pay bills… Rihanna is the type of girl that will runaway when the bill comes; When you combine the two, you get two unique R&B sounds over a slow tempo beat that mimics the sounds of an ASAP Rocky hit. It’s unique because it’s rebellious from two different perspectives. The bad news is that you are still left with an unpaid bill when it’s all said and done….

Kiss it Better is that typical Rihanna song that usually is her second or third single (Update 07/06/2016: DING DING DING…Who predicted right?). It’s the safe track on the album that is clearly in the perspective of some 19 year old white girl who ran away from home and is living with her 29 year old boyfriend.

At moments the song is hurtful, and at other times the song is simply filled with rage! It reminds me a lot of those 1990’s songs from artists like Alanis Morissette.

This might be the most versatile album Rihanna has ever made. The album displays some island, some rockstar, some old school, and some impressive ballads. My only beef with this album is it’s content: At times, it seems too monotonous: Either someone is getting cussed out, or someone is being missed; what happened to spazzing out on a Tuesday like on fourfiveseconds? Or someone having your money they owe you? I thought those subjects were dope, and something she could expand on.

Overall, the album has a place for women all around the world! For Women, it’s an album for uniting as one! (Especially if you’re in the club and a dude comes at you sideways). Fellas!!!! It’s an album that might get a drink thrown at you from a girl if you come at her sideways; eitherway, It’s for everyone! 🙂

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.