Given the title of Rihanna's latest album, let's talk that talk. Not like I downloaded the leak, I just hopped in my time machine, honest. Rihanna should have done the same, with a year to tour Loud and create the next album could she really pull off a record that was created with the time and attention to detail it deserved?
With a reputation from many as being an extremely weak singer (not guilty), Rihanna does herself no favours when she adds her vocals to trashy dance tracks and with three of them leading the way on the album, we don't get off to a good start. 'You Da One' and 'Where Have You Been' may be relevant for the chart and clubs this year, but trends change quicker than Rihanna's hair, there's no substance to glue the tracks to time and they'll flutter out of everyone's playlists by next summer. The commercialism is deafening. 'We Found Love' is very much the same for me, but it might have a bit of longevity due to the intrusive lyrics and absurd video, that and It's domination at the top of sales charts around the world.
When it looks like all hope is lost, Hov saves the day with title track 'Talk That Talk'. Jay-Z is no Pitbull and so we know we're guaranteed a little bit of what might be classed as actual music rather than a blatant product like the three previous songs we've had the misfortune of having to listen to. With something that resembles Young Jeezy and RiRi's 'Hard' collaboration, the mood is toned down, Jay delivers a pretty standard verse and Rihanna takes it away with a useless but catchy hook. As is the ordinary with Rihanna, It's not as PG as it could be bit It's by no means an S&M so maybe she finally understands being a role model is part of her moral responsibility. The video could be a bit awkward, he forgot to add pregnant to 'singer/actress in my bedroom'.
'Birthday Cake' has the potential to develop into one of them timeless classics, and that's just for having the word cake in the title. Why It's only one minute long has left Rihanna's Navy bemused, maybe it was them time constraints, but I can only imagine there will be a timely extended version released at some point down the line. Rihanna talking sex and saying 'B*tch' is an opportunity branding won't let sail past easily.
Rihanna really can sing, but really, even in tune! 'We All Want Love' lights up my face. There's always two options for Rihanna, she can be the pop/euro trash brand and churn out endless 'You Da Ones', placing herself at the very height of pop'ness, one of the biggest female artists, to those who appreciate a good beat and catchy hook only. The other side we sometimes see from Rihanna is one that can be appreciated by real music fans, with a bit of integrity and a beautiful voice her ballads are lesser known, she's just an average singers singer, but the music is on another level, and this is the Rihanna I appreciate, as must her harshest of critics. 'We All Want Love' is one of these moments were her talent, and vocal ability, can't be denied. A highlight of the album, we enjoy more of the same with 'Drunk On Love' and 'Roc Me Out'. Them five songs should be thrown on an EP for the more concerning music fan.
The album takes another stumble with 'Watch n' Learn'. Man Down received huge support, deservingly so as it was an incredible song, here's the measly 'oh that's selling, quick pretend you're back in Barbados' part 2. It's quite horrendous.
'Farewell' finishes off the album as we say farewell to a disjointed, blatant desperate attempt at extracting every penny out of Rihanna's current reign. The music suffers as a result, not that the sales will tell you. Rihanna's doing an outstanding job at keeping herself relevant, the reign really just won't let up. If we can make a deal that 'Farewell' doesn't replace 'Take A Bow' or 'Umbrella' on any future tours, then I can get over the dire'ness of half the songs on the album and just live for that muddle bunch, which although don't live up to much of her previous material, will do for now. On to the next one now isn't it?
With a reputation from many as being an extremely weak singer (not guilty), Rihanna does herself no favours when she adds her vocals to trashy dance tracks and with three of them leading the way on the album, we don't get off to a good start. 'You Da One' and 'Where Have You Been' may be relevant for the chart and clubs this year, but trends change quicker than Rihanna's hair, there's no substance to glue the tracks to time and they'll flutter out of everyone's playlists by next summer. The commercialism is deafening. 'We Found Love' is very much the same for me, but it might have a bit of longevity due to the intrusive lyrics and absurd video, that and It's domination at the top of sales charts around the world.
When it looks like all hope is lost, Hov saves the day with title track 'Talk That Talk'. Jay-Z is no Pitbull and so we know we're guaranteed a little bit of what might be classed as actual music rather than a blatant product like the three previous songs we've had the misfortune of having to listen to. With something that resembles Young Jeezy and RiRi's 'Hard' collaboration, the mood is toned down, Jay delivers a pretty standard verse and Rihanna takes it away with a useless but catchy hook. As is the ordinary with Rihanna, It's not as PG as it could be bit It's by no means an S&M so maybe she finally understands being a role model is part of her moral responsibility. The video could be a bit awkward, he forgot to add pregnant to 'singer/actress in my bedroom'.
'Birthday Cake' has the potential to develop into one of them timeless classics, and that's just for having the word cake in the title. Why It's only one minute long has left Rihanna's Navy bemused, maybe it was them time constraints, but I can only imagine there will be a timely extended version released at some point down the line. Rihanna talking sex and saying 'B*tch' is an opportunity branding won't let sail past easily.
Rihanna really can sing, but really, even in tune! 'We All Want Love' lights up my face. There's always two options for Rihanna, she can be the pop/euro trash brand and churn out endless 'You Da Ones', placing herself at the very height of pop'ness, one of the biggest female artists, to those who appreciate a good beat and catchy hook only. The other side we sometimes see from Rihanna is one that can be appreciated by real music fans, with a bit of integrity and a beautiful voice her ballads are lesser known, she's just an average singers singer, but the music is on another level, and this is the Rihanna I appreciate, as must her harshest of critics. 'We All Want Love' is one of these moments were her talent, and vocal ability, can't be denied. A highlight of the album, we enjoy more of the same with 'Drunk On Love' and 'Roc Me Out'. Them five songs should be thrown on an EP for the more concerning music fan.
The album takes another stumble with 'Watch n' Learn'. Man Down received huge support, deservingly so as it was an incredible song, here's the measly 'oh that's selling, quick pretend you're back in Barbados' part 2. It's quite horrendous.
'Farewell' finishes off the album as we say farewell to a disjointed, blatant desperate attempt at extracting every penny out of Rihanna's current reign. The music suffers as a result, not that the sales will tell you. Rihanna's doing an outstanding job at keeping herself relevant, the reign really just won't let up. If we can make a deal that 'Farewell' doesn't replace 'Take A Bow' or 'Umbrella' on any future tours, then I can get over the dire'ness of half the songs on the album and just live for that muddle bunch, which although don't live up to much of her previous material, will do for now. On to the next one now isn't it?
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