Rated R(eview)

Rihanna RATED R - if you're expecting the happy, sexy, yet still vulnerable RIHANNA back in the "UMBRELLA" era. She's long gone, the new RIHANNA is strong and not taking any s&*!. She isn't afraid to take chances and this whole album is taking one big chance. Some of the material might alienate some fans but to her die hard fans who've supported her from day one she's still the delivering good music.

The album starts off with a creepy sounding interlude titled MAD HOUSE and quickly leads into WAIT YOUR TURN the 2nd single off of RATED R. "Stupid in love" is an r&b ballad that's screaming to become a single. Rihanna is known for her power ballads, RATED R is full of electronica dance pop tunes with heavy on the guitar riffs. There's a lot of vocal growth and maturity in the songs on RATED R especially on the song "Photographs".

Rihanna executive produced the album and co-wrote most of the material. Usually albums have filler tracks, but RATED R has 13 solid songs. With the song "G4L" she's setting it straight you don't mess with her and get away with it. RIHANNA has always been one step ahead of the game, this is where music is heading towards. She ends the album with "the last song" which is a powerful pop ballad. Rihanna has nothing to prove and makes it very clear she's here to stay.