We need to talk about her vocals.
After months nay, years!
of anticipation, Rihannadropped her eighth full-length albumAntilate Wednesday evening.
Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty Images
Its a collection unlike any other from the Barbadian star.
Minimal production
As the title suggests,ANTIis not your typical Rihanna album.
1 songs, Rude Boy, Only Girl (In The World), Whats My Name?
and S&M.
James Joint is an interlude that doubles as a stoner anthem and runs just over one minute long.
Come over, babe, she begs, lets stay up late and smoke a J.
What are you willing to do?
Well, for one, throw this on repeat.
Nobody touch me in the righteous/Nobody text me in a crisis
Workis not a perfect Rihanna song.
But nestled in her Drake-collaboration, is this perfect Rihanna lyric.
On the DJ Mustard-produced Needed Me, she shirks horses and white carriages and other traditionally romantic memorabilia.
You were good on the low for a faded f, she sings.
Dont get it twisted.
Anytime a woman speaks out about owning her bedroom power dynamics, it feels political and vital.
Thats especially true here.
Perhaps that blurry quality is what attracted Rihanna to the tune.
On Love On The Brain, she heads for old-school soul.
It works with her new, raw vocal tone and is complimented indelibly with a shrieking bluesy guitar backing.
Rihannas voice
Rihanna sings differently onANTI.
If we heard Erykah Badu ghost-sang Love On The Brain, we may be convinced.
The effect allows nuance.
