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In 2012, right on schedule, Rihanna delivered her fourth annual November album. The singer took a different route with the lead single. She didn't go with a dramatic ballad like "Russian Roulette" or a big dance number like "Only Girl (In the World)" and "We Found Love." Instead, the nod went to a midtempo pop ballad, "Diamonds" -- as in "We're like diamonds in the sky" (rather than stars in a mine), a simple and effective, light in meaning yet massive in sonics, quasi-processional. Even with that change of pace, the possibility of it signaling an overall change in direction was slight. Not only is Unapologetic just as varied as Rihanna's past albums -- it's another timely refresh of contemporary pop music -- but it's a little more exploratory and a whole lot deeper, too. Continuing the trend that began on Rated R, Rihanna's at her best when she's flaunting. This goes for "Pour It Up," a characteristically chilly and booming Mike Will collaboration that might as well be a sequel to "Bandz a Make Her Dance," the producer's hit with Juicy J. Wrapped in a serene sneer, Rihanna's trash talk is something else. Moments such as that one are so convincing that the few everywoman heart-on-sleeve songs -- with the exception of the massive, slamming, wailing power ballad that is "What Now" -- don't sound all that natural. Two of the album's most intriguing, contrasting, and not-so-everywoman tracks appear consecutively during the latter half. Both of them were written and produced by Terius "The-Dream" Nash and Carlos "Los" McKinney. "Nobody's Business," flecked with elements from Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel," is a beaming if somewhat belligerent disco-house duet with Chris Brown. Rihanna's partner proposes to make out in a Lexus prior to proclaiming that the relationship "ain't nobody's business." The celebration is followed by "Love Without Tragedy/Mother Mary," conjoined songs with a wide theatrical scope akin to that of the-Dream's own "Nikki, Pt. 2/Abyss." Over a swelling and receding production with echoes of Kim Carnes' "Bette Davis' Eyes," Rihanna mourns ("Felt like love struck me in the night/I pray that love don't strike twice"), then confesses ("Mother Mary, I swear I wanna change"), then surrenders ("I'm prepared to die in the moment"). Perhaps no one should read anything into it. The same could be said of "No Love Allowed," which comes along a little later. Even with a captivating, drum-less reggae groove, it's hard to hear lines like "Your love hit me to the core" and "It's so foolish how you keep me wanting more" and think that she's fine and could be singing about anyone. While this is a fine, if uneven album, the only way to enjoy a significant portion of it is by taking it as pure entertainment. Good luck.
© Andy Kellman /TiVo
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Terius Nash, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Giorgio Tuinfort, Producer, Programmer, ComposerLyricist - Robyn Fenty, Contributor, Revision - Jaycen Joshua, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - David Guetta, Producer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Rihanna, MainArtist - Kuk Harrell, Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Hough, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marcos Tovar, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mj, Additional Mixer, StudioPersonnel - The Dream, Programmer - Joel Peters, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bart Schoudel, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ben Rhodes, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Josh Campbell, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2012 Def Jam Recordings, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Tor Erik Hermansen, Programmer, ComposerLyricist - Mikkel S. Eriksen, Programmer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Benjamin Levin, ComposerLyricist - Benny Blanco, Producer, Programmer - Miles Walker, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - PHIL TAN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Rihanna, MainArtist - Kuk Harrell, Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - StarGate, Producer - Sia Furler, ComposerLyricist - Marcos Tovar, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andrew Luftman, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Daniela Rivera, Additional Mixer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2012 Def Jam Recordings, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Aldrin Davis, ComposerLyricist - Marshall Mathers, ComposerLyricist - Warren Felder, ComposerLyricist - Kanye West, ComposerLyricist - Robyn Fenty, ComposerLyricist - Rihanna, MainArtist - MANNY MARROQUIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Eminem, FeaturedArtist - Donnie Meadows, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Tanisha Broadwater, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Kuk Harrell, Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Robert Cohen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andrew Wansel, ComposerLyricist - Connie Mitchell, ComposerLyricist - Marcos Tovar, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Xavier Stephenson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Liam Nolan, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sam Dew, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Ronald "Flip" Colson, ComposerLyricist - Oakwud, Producer - "Pop" Wansel, Producer - Blake Mares, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Aamir Yaqub, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - @Flippa123, Producer - Josh Campbell, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2012 Def Jam Recordings, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Timothy Thomas, ComposerLyricist - Theron Thomas, ComposerLyricist - Michael Williams, ComposerLyricist - Robyn Fenty, ComposerLyricist - Rihanna, MainArtist - MANNY MARROQUIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Kuk Harrell, Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marcos Tovar, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alejandro Barajas, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Will, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - J-Bo, Producer, Co-Producer - Justin Garner, ComposerLyricist - Mike Will Made-It, Producer
℗ 2012 Def Jam Recordings, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Robyn Fenty, ComposerLyricist - Rihanna, MainArtist - MANNY MARROQUIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Kuk Harrell, Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Robert Cohen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marcos Tovar, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Future, Producer, Programming, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Nayvadius Wilburn, ComposerLyricist - Denisea "Blue June" Andrews, ComposerLyricist - George S. Jackson, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Leshawn S. Rogers, ComposerLyricist - Emmanuel Zaragoza, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Seth Firkins, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2012 Def Jam Recordings, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Stephen Garrett, ComposerLyricist - Elgin Lumpkin, ComposerLyricist - Tor Erik Hermansen, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mikkel S. Eriksen, Recording Engineer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Kevin Cossom, ComposerLyricist - Saul Milton, ComposerLyricist - Miles Walker, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - PHIL TAN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Rihanna, MainArtist - Kuk Harrell, Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - StarGate, Producer - Timothy Mosley, ComposerLyricist - Marcos Tovar, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mikey Mike, Producer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - William Kennard, ComposerLyricist - Kevin Cossum, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Chase & Status, Producer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - M.B. Williams, ComposerLyricist - Daniela Rivera, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Holly Simpson, Producer, Additional Producer, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Aamir Yaqub, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2012 Def Jam Recordings, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Terius Nash, ComposerLyricist - Tor Erik Hermansen, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mikkel S. Eriksen, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Esther Dean, ComposerLyricist - Giorgio Tuinfort, Producer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Benny Blanco, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Nicky Romero, Producer, Mixer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Nick Rotteveel, ComposerLyricist - Robyn Fenty, ComposerLyricist - David Guetta, Producer, Programming, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Rihanna, MainArtist - MANNY MARROQUIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Kuk Harrell, Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - StarGate, Producer - Marcos Tovar, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Xavier Stephenson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Daniela Rivera, Engineer, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shaffer Chimere Smith, ComposerLyricist - Paul Norris, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Aamir Yaqub, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2012 Def Jam Recordings, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Olivia Waithe, ComposerLyricist - PHIL TAN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Rihanna, MainArtist - Kuk Harrell, Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Robert Cohen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Robyn Rihanna Fenty, ComposerLyricist - Marcos Tovar, Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Daniela Rivera, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Parker Ighile, Producer, Recording Engineer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Nathan Cassells, Producer, Co-Producer, Recording Engineer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Paul Norris, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Blake Mares, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Antoniou, ComposerLyricist - Ifeoluwa Oladigbolu, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 Def Jam Recordings, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
PHIL TAN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Rihanna, MainArtist - Kuk Harrell, Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Robert Cohen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Justin Parker, Producer, Piano, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Marcos Tovar, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mikky Ekko, Producer, Additional Producer, Recording Arranger, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Daniela Rivera, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Elof Loelv, Producer, Additional Producer - Blake Mares, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Seth Firkins, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Gaydusek, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2012 Def Jam Recordings, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Chris Brown, FeaturedArtist, ComposerLyricist - Terius Nash, ComposerLyricist - Robyn Fenty, ComposerLyricist - Rihanna, MainArtist - MANNY MARROQUIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Kuk Harrell, Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Carlos Mckinney, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Michael Jackson, ComposerLyricist - Robert Cohen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marcos Tovar, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Dream, Producer - Blake Mares, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bart Schoudel, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2012 Def Jam Recordings, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Terius Nash, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Robyn Fenty, ComposerLyricist - Rihanna, MainArtist - Kuk Harrell, Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Carlos Mckinney, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Robert Cohen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marcos Tovar, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Blake Mares, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bart Schoudel, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jayson Joshua, Mixer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2012 Def Jam Recordings, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
James Fauntleroy, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Brian Kennedy, Producer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Seals, ComposerLyricist - Robyn Fenty, ComposerLyricist - Rihanna, MainArtist - MANNY MARROQUIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Kuk Harrell, Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Robert Cohen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marcos Tovar, Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Norris, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Blake Mares, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2012 Def Jam Recordings, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Donnie Scantz, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ernest Wilson, ComposerLyricist - Robyn Fenty, ComposerLyricist - Rihanna, MainArtist - MANNY MARROQUIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Kuk Harrell, Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Wyreman, Guitar, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - No ID, Producer - Rob Kinelski, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Poyser, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Marcos Tovar, Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sean Fenton, ComposerLyricist - Anna Ugarte, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Liam Nolan, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alexander Izquierdo, ComposerLyricist - Paul Norris, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Blake Mares, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2012 Def Jam Recordings, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Tor Erik Hermansen, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mikkel S. Eriksen, Recording Engineer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Robyn Fenty, ComposerLyricist - Miles Walker, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - PHIL TAN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Rihanna, MainArtist - Kuk Harrell, Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ester Dean, ComposerLyricist - StarGate, Producer - Robert Cohen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - T McKenzie, ComposerLyricist - Marcos Tovar, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Labrinth, Producer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Daniela Rivera, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Blake Mares, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2012 Def Jam Recordings, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Tor Erik Hermansen, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mikkel S. Eriksen, Recording Engineer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Emeli Sande, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Miles Walker, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rihanna, MainArtist - MANNY MARROQUIN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Kuk Harrell, Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - StarGate, Producer - Naughty Boy, Producer - Marcos Tovar, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shahid Khan, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2012 The Island Def Jam Music Group
Tor Erik Hermansen, Programmer, ComposerLyricist - Mikkel S. Eriksen, Programmer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Benjamin Levin, ComposerLyricist - Benny Blanco, Producer, Programmer - Miles Walker, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - PHIL TAN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Rihanna, MainArtist - Kuk Harrell, Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Audé, Mixer, Remixer, StudioPersonnel - StarGate, Producer - Kemal Golden, Remixer, StudioPersonnel - Sia Furler, ComposerLyricist - Christian Dwiggins, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Marcos Tovar, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andrew Luftman, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Daniela Rivera, Additional Mixer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2012 Def Jam Recordings, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Tor Erik Hermansen, Programmer, ComposerLyricist - Mikkel S. Eriksen, Programmer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - Benjamin Levin, ComposerLyricist - Benny Blanco, Producer, Programmer - Miles Walker, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - PHIL TAN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Rihanna, MainArtist - Kuk Harrell, Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - StarGate, Producer - Gregor Salto, Remixer, StudioPersonnel - Sia Furler, ComposerLyricist - Marcos Tovar, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andrew Luftman, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tzvetin Todorov, Remixer, StudioPersonnel - Daniela Rivera, Additional Mixer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2012 Def Jam Recordings, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Album review
In 2012, right on schedule, Rihanna delivered her fourth annual November album. The singer took a different route with the lead single. She didn't go with a dramatic ballad like "Russian Roulette" or a big dance number like "Only Girl (In the World)" and "We Found Love." Instead, the nod went to a midtempo pop ballad, "Diamonds" -- as in "We're like diamonds in the sky" (rather than stars in a mine), a simple and effective, light in meaning yet massive in sonics, quasi-processional. Even with that change of pace, the possibility of it signaling an overall change in direction was slight. Not only is Unapologetic just as varied as Rihanna's past albums -- it's another timely refresh of contemporary pop music -- but it's a little more exploratory and a whole lot deeper, too. Continuing the trend that began on Rated R, Rihanna's at her best when she's flaunting. This goes for "Pour It Up," a characteristically chilly and booming Mike Will collaboration that might as well be a sequel to "Bandz a Make Her Dance," the producer's hit with Juicy J. Wrapped in a serene sneer, Rihanna's trash talk is something else. Moments such as that one are so convincing that the few everywoman heart-on-sleeve songs -- with the exception of the massive, slamming, wailing power ballad that is "What Now" -- don't sound all that natural. Two of the album's most intriguing, contrasting, and not-so-everywoman tracks appear consecutively during the latter half. Both of them were written and produced by Terius "The-Dream" Nash and Carlos "Los" McKinney. "Nobody's Business," flecked with elements from Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel," is a beaming if somewhat belligerent disco-house duet with Chris Brown. Rihanna's partner proposes to make out in a Lexus prior to proclaiming that the relationship "ain't nobody's business." The celebration is followed by "Love Without Tragedy/Mother Mary," conjoined songs with a wide theatrical scope akin to that of the-Dream's own "Nikki, Pt. 2/Abyss." Over a swelling and receding production with echoes of Kim Carnes' "Bette Davis' Eyes," Rihanna mourns ("Felt like love struck me in the night/I pray that love don't strike twice"), then confesses ("Mother Mary, I swear I wanna change"), then surrenders ("I'm prepared to die in the moment"). Perhaps no one should read anything into it. The same could be said of "No Love Allowed," which comes along a little later. Even with a captivating, drum-less reggae groove, it's hard to hear lines like "Your love hit me to the core" and "It's so foolish how you keep me wanting more" and think that she's fine and could be singing about anyone. While this is a fine, if uneven album, the only way to enjoy a significant portion of it is by taking it as pure entertainment. Good luck.
© Andy Kellman /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 17 track(s)
- Total length: 01:07:43
- Main artists: Rihanna
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Def Jam Recordings
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 2012 The Island Def Jam Music Group ℗ 2012 The Island Def Jam Music Group
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