Rihanna: "Rated R" LP

Rated R is a considerably darker album than its huge-selling predecessor, and unsurprisingly didn't do quite as well in the charts. However, that is no reflection on the quality of the music, for Rated R is perhaps Rihanna's most cohesive and consistent album to date. The songs here are generally more R&B than the pop of Good Girl Gone Bad, but there is a darker, rockier edge to several tracks, such as the stadium-sized highlight "Fire Bomb" and "Rockstar 101" which features Slash. Elsewhere, promo single "Wait Your Turn" and "Hard" are strong openers, while "Russian Roulette" is undoubtedly her best ballad, an unusual choice for lead single but an emotional and atmospheric centrepiece for the album. "Rude Boy" was the highest charting song from the album.

Label: Def Jam Recordings/SRP Records

Genre: R&B

Release Date: 4/17/2017

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