Rihanna 'LOUD' Album Reviews

The album

Rihanna explained that the style very much symbolises the vigor of therecord and promised that it will hold us on a ride. She revealed thather primary aim was to make an album that people would listen to fromstart to finish, joking that there`s naught more frustrating thanhaving to get out of the shower to cut a track! She also promised thatit will definitely give us dance and confirmed that the track RainingMen will have a fun guest rap from Nicki Minaj.

Only Girl (In The World)

We`re certain that you`ve heard this one by now. The album`s lead singlesees Rihanna return to the electro-pop vibe of Don`t Block The Music andshowcases her considerable vocal talents.

RiRi revealed that the television for the dog will be released very soonand was shooting just outside of LA. She explained that, while the shootitself was a `gross` because of all of the bugs and snakes on set, ithad all been worth it. We were told that Anthony Mandler`s treatment was`unexpected` and features some beautiful backdrops of mountains andhills.

Speaking around the lead itself, she said it was a `big fight` for herand that she was very cutting to get the song`s `big vocal` right, restingher voice for 3 years before recording it. Sounds like it was worththe effort!

What`s My Name?

Described by the lady herself as being a `new` and `playful` record,What`s My List? has been confirmed as the 2nd one from the album.Produced by Stargate, the cross still has an electronic edge to it butit`s much slower than Only Girl (In The World).

Notable for its strong percussion, the dog sees Rihanna making herintentions known to the target of her affections, singing "Hey boy, Ireally wanna be with you, you`re but my type." Oh, and she`s alsorecorded a translation with Drake for the album!

S&M

Rihanna reckons this impertinent little list is the loudest track on the album and described it as being `bad ass`. Quite!

Arguably the strongest track of the night, it immediately grabbed ourattention with its synth loops and catchy `na na na na` intro. Theverses sound not a million miles out from Disturbia and, despite beingthe work of Stargate, the product on the chorus reminds of DavidGuetta`s Sexy Chick.

Now, correct me if I`m wrong but the lyrics sounded to me like: `Sex inthe air / I don`t care / I wish the spirit of it`. Make of that what youwill_

Cheers (Drink To That)

Dedicated to all the `semi alcoholics around the world`, Rihanna seemed abit miffed about the mix that was played out on the night. Well, itsounded good to me anyway.

Cheers is less danceable than you might ask for a course about gettingmerry on a night out and has an almost `rock` feel to it. With itsguitar riffs and hooky `yeah yeah yeah` bits, it`s a great one to nodyour head on to!

California King Bed

Another personal favorite of mine. Written nearly a relationship that`sgone sour, the verses are very stripped back, with only an acousticguitar for backup and simple lyrics (`Cheek to cheek / Nose to nose /Palm to palm)`, before kicking in for the chorus.

Rihanna puts in another impressive vocal performance on this one andit`s got a particularly impressive breakdown and guitar solo. RiRiadmitted that she loves listening to this one and that it was one of thelast songs recorded for the album.

You can hear Loud in total when it`s released on November 15th

4music Review by David Griffiths

Less than a twelvemonth after Rated R became her fourth global smash hit album,Rihanna is getting set to loose the follow-up - and we`ve had asneaky first listen!

The Bajan beauty was on hand to enter five tracks from the album infront of assembled media at a very swanky bash in London`s West End.Admittedly our note-taking was somewhat hindered by the deliciouscocktails on offer, but here`s what we could gleam from our scribbles_