"ANTI" by Rihanna: Album Review

       From 2006 to 2012, Rihanna released one album every year. Each received critical and commercial acclaim and worldwide success. In the ten year expanse of her career, the superstar has amassed an incredible 13 number one singles, tying her with Michael Jackson for third most number one singles of all time (only surpassed by Mariah Carey and The Beatles). But when she failed to release an album in November (her signature release period) 2013, people began to worry. November 2014 came and went, as did 2015, marking the longest period of time the singer had ever gone without putting out an album. Finally, after years of production and promotion, Rihanna's eighth studio album "ANTI" was released on January 28th, 2016. Naturally, I was one of the first to purchase it, and I've been listening to it quite a bit throughout the past week.
       The album opens with a slow to mid-tempo trap song entitled "Consideration" and it features guest vocals by SZA. The track features Rihanna singing in her trademark Barbadian accent, with SZA chiming in for the chorus. Definitely one of the stand out songs from the album, "Consideration" proves to be a strong opening number. The second song, "James", is a slow, one minute reggae interlude that chronicles an argument with a boyfriend. "James" is very weak compared to the rest of the album, due to its slow nonsensical lyrics, and lack of proper organization.
        My personal favorite track, a mid-tempo rock tinged power ballad dubbed "Kiss it Better" comes third. This number gives us classic radio style Rihanna (I expect this one to be a strong performer on the charts if released as a single), with a catchy hook and meaningful chorus, infused with electric guitar chords. I wrote about the fourth track, "Work", last week when it was released alongside the album as the first official single from "ANTI". With a guest verse by Canadian rapper, Drake, "Work" sees Rihanna return to her Caribbean roots in full force, featuring a thick island accent. Although I wasn't a huge fan of it upon first hearing it, this song is definitely an earworm that grows on you. The chanting chorus consisting of "Work work work work work work" managed to get stuck in my head and stay there for a while. It isn't what I would have picked as a first single (see "Kiss it Better"), but this is one of the best songs I've heard from her. When I first heard the fifth track, "Desperado", I instantly thought of Rihanna's fourth album. Her 2009 record "Rated R" marked a dark period for the singer, as she had recently broken up with her then boyfriend, Chris Brown. "Desperado" sounds as though it could fit perfectly with her previous singles, "Russian Roulette" and "Wait Your Turn". Complete with consistent, haunting, robotic backing vocals, "Desperado" obviously has a deeper meaning to it, as the singer closes each chorus with "There is nothing here for me anymore, but I don't want to be alone." Much like some of her previous songs, it exudes a radio ready quality.
        Once you get to the sixth song, things take a turn for the worse. "Woo", featuring Travis $cott, opens with 2 siren notes repeating for about 30 seconds until Travis interjects with a heavily auto tuned wail. By far the worst on the album, this unorganized mess came as a disappointment. Considering Travis $cott's track record of great songs, I expected more from this collaboration. Thankfully the next track, "Needed Me" is without doubt a banger. Produced my DJ Mustard, this base heavy song is a club ready trap number that includes heavy synthesizers and 808 drums. Rihanna shows off her vocal prowess throughout the chorus, and slows down to the point of rapping in between. Reminiscent of "Pour it Up" from 2012, "Needed Me" is one of my favorites. The eighth, "Yeah I Said It", is a two and a half minute long psychedelic pop number that I wish was longer. Rihanna's voice is almost a whisper as she croons about her boyfriend in a sultry manner. However, it's the actual music that I like about this one. Featuring subtle strings and electronic beeps that create a dream-like atmosphere, "Yeah I Said It", will leave you wanting more when it ends.
       In 2015, an indy band called Tame Impala released a song called "New Person, Same Ol' Mistakes". The ninth song on "ANTI" is just a cover of Tame Impala's song. Although a good cover, Rihanna doesn't add her own style to the song at all. It is simply her vocals over the original music. I feel like she could have done more, because you can even hear the original background vocals. "Love on the Brain", a raspy power ballad rich with jazz influence, instantly reminds me of one of my favorite singers of all time, the late Amy Winehouse. This one is definitely a new sound from Rihanna, unlike anything previously heard. Upon first listening, I couldn't tell for sure that it was even her. 
       However, it is the last song on the album that will make you truly appreciate this masterpiece. "Close to You", rumored to be about ex-boyfriend, Chris Brown, is a slow piano track that gradually brings the album to a stop. Rihanna shows off her more personal side, flaunting her beautiful voice, and creating a sense of loneliness and emotion. "I'm coming now to be close to you" she croons, calling out to a person she is in love with, but who doesn't love her back. I was riding in a car the first time I heard it, and I almost cried. After the last of Rihanna's vocals fade into the background, follows about 30 seconds of mellow strings and piano notes...and just like that, it's over. 

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         Completely worth the (extremely) long wait, "ANTI" is a musical rarity. Blending new sounds with old classic Rihanna-style music, it brings a new/fresh mix of vocals and music combined with an arsenal of radio-ready pop songs. Keeping in mind Rihanna's track record for having  ridiculously successful albums throughout her career, this album certainly lives up to the hype. I personally am extremely impressed by "ANTI". I would venture as far as to say that this is her greatest achievement, and I can't wait to see what we can hear out of this album in the coming year.                             

-Cade Tickle