Rated R was very well critically received, just like ARTPOP was but it underperformed by Rihanna's standards. Russian Roulette (lead single) only reached #9 in the BBH100 and the whole era's singles considerably underperformed except from Rude Boy which practically saved the era. While Rated R underperformed, it is mostly called Rihanna's best album. Is this the same case with ARTPOP? Under performing album + lead single but if she releases another, she could get another smash hit like Rude Boy was?
But it's definitely extremely under-rated. The album is brilliant, it's just that the title was off-putting for a lot of people, which is why it's underperfoming.
Rated R seems to be a cult hit/gem among the fans (like Blackout for Britney fans). ARTPOP is nothing like that in its entirety. Don't know if it can make a hit mid-era with G.U.Y.
I hope so because Gypsy slays but I think Gaga has moved on with this album already. Like how can you not move on to the next if it's only selling 3k copies per week?
No.
Rated R is a masterpiece, artpop is trash.
Rated R had a smash single, artpop will never have one.
You can call Rated R an underperformed era which spent 30 whole weeks on the WW chart and managed to sell 3 mill copies.
You can only call artpop a flop era which spent just 14 weeks on the WW chart.
